This Day in History America’s story, day by day

Today in History

Every date on the calendar carries a piece of the American story — battles won, documents signed, inventions unveiled, and lives that changed the course of a nation. Stop by each day for the moments that made this date matter.

Today isSeptember 27

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Pick a month to walk through its anniversaries, day by day.

September 1

The Boston Tremont Street Subway - This Day in History

Boston’s Tremont Street Subway, opened in 1897, was the first subway in the U.S., marking a milestone in urban transit and shaping Boston’s rapid transit system.

September 1

1939 — Germany Invades Poland, Beginning World War II

Days earlier, Germany and the Soviet Union had secretly agreed to split Poland between them, clearing Hitler's path to a war that killed tens of millions.

September 2

The U.S. Treasury Was Established - This Day in History

On September 2, 1789, Congress created the U.S. Department of the Treasury—establishing a structured system for national financial governance under Alexander Hamilton.

September 2

1969 — First U.S. ATM Opens for Business

On September 2, 1969, a Chemical Bank branch in Rockville Centre, New York put out the first U.S. ATM, dreamed up by a man tired of waiting in a bank line.

September 3

Treaty of Paris Was Signed - This Day in History

The Treaty of Paris, signed on September 3, 1783, officially ended the American Revolutionary War and marked a major turning point in world history.

September 3

1928 — Penicillin Discovered by Sir Alexander Fleming

A contaminated dish left out during Fleming's 1928 vacation killed the surrounding bacteria, but it took Oxford scientists until the 1940s to make penicillin usable on wounded…

September 4

Spanish Settlers Founded Los Angeles - This Day in History

On September 4, 1781, 44 settlers founded Los Angeles as a Spanish pueblo along the LA River, marking the city’s multicultural beginnings.

September 4

2016 — Mother Teresa Becomes a Saint

On September 4, 2016, Pope Francis canonized the nun who ran the Missionaries of Charity, which by her 1997 death operated hundreds of centers in more than 90 countries.

September 5

The First Labor Day Parade - This Day in History

The first Labor Day parade took place in New York City on September 5, 1882, uniting thousands of workers in a historic show of labor solidarity.

September 7

1813 — United States Nicknamed Uncle Sam

Samuel Wilson, a Troy, New York meat packer, stamped his beef barrels "U.S." for the Army in 1812, and soldiers joked the letters stood for "Uncle Sam."

September 8

President Ford Pardons Nixon - This Day in History

On September 8, 1974, President Gerald Ford controversially pardoned Richard Nixon for any crimes related to the Watergate scandal, sparking national debate.

September 8

2022 — Queen Elizabeth II Dies; Charles Becomes King

Queen Elizabeth II died at 96 at Balmoral after a 70-year reign, having taken the throne at 25 in 1952 and worked with prime ministers across seven decades.

September 9

Congress Renames the Nation - This Day in History

On September 9, 1776, the Continental Congress officially adopted “United States of America” as the nation's new name, replacing “United Colonies.”

September 9

1956 — Elvis Presley Makes First Appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show”

On September 9, 1956, 60 million people—more than 80 percent of the TV audience—watched, though neither Elvis nor Ed Sullivan was in the New York studio that night.

September 10

John Smith Was Elected President of Jamestown - This Day in History

On September 10, 1608, John Smith became president of the Jamestown colony, leading it from near collapse to stability through bold leadership and reforms.

September 10

1897 — First Drunk Driving Arrest

George Smith crashed his electric taxi into a London building in 1897 after two or three beers, pleaded guilty, and paid a 20-shilling fine.

September 11

1777 — The Battle of Brandywine Begins

On September 11, 1777, Howe outflanked Washington near Chadds Ford and won the day, yet Washington saved the Continental Army to fight on despite losing Philadelphia.

September 11

2001 — September 11th, 2001 - This Day in History

A powerful remembrance of the September 11 attacks, honoring the lives lost, the heroes who responded, and the lasting global impact of that day.

September 12

JFK Delivered "We Choose to Go to the Moon" Speech - This Day in History

On September 12, 1962, John F. Kennedy inspired a nation with his “We choose to go to the Moon” speech at Rice University, defining the Space Race era.

September 14

1964 — Pop-Tarts Debut

On September 14, 1964, a breakfast staple that would become a fixture in American kitchens made its debut when the Kellogg Company began selling Pop-Tarts.

September 15

The Battle of Inchon - This Day in History

The Inchon Landing of September 15, 1950, changed the Korean War’s course as U.S. Marines executed a bold amphibious assault to recapture Seoul.

September 15

1962 — The Four Seasons Earn Their First #1 Hit With “Sherry”

Bob Gaudio wrote "Sherry" in about 15 minutes before a rehearsal, and the New Jersey group took its name from a bowling alley that had turned them down for a job.

September 16

The Mayflower Departs England - This Day in History

The Mayflower's 1620 voyage to the New World marked a pivotal chapter in American history, setting the stage for Plymouth Colony and early self-governance.

September 16

1908 — William Durant Creates General Motors

A former carriage maker who disliked cars folded some 30 companies into General Motors in two years, gathering Oldsmobile, Cadillac and the brand that became Pontiac.

September 17

The U.S. Constitution Was Signed - This Day in History

On September 17, 1787, the U.S. Constitution was signed, shaping the legal and political framework of the United States that still endures today.

September 17

1976 — NASA Unveils Its First Space Shuttle, the Enterprise

Named after the Star Trek starship following a fan letter-writing campaign, the Enterprise never reached orbit but proved the reusable shuttle could land like a glider.

September 18

First Cornerstone in U.S. History - This Day in History

On September 18, 1793, George Washington laid the Capitol’s cornerstone, marking the start of a lasting symbol of American democracy.

September 18

1960 — Fidel Castro Arrives in New York

After a dispute over accommodations, Castro moved his delegation to Harlem's Hotel Theresa in September 1960, where he met with Malcolm X and Langston Hughes.

September 19

The Battle of Freeman's Farm - This Day in History

The Battle of Freeman’s Farm on September 19, 1777, marked the bloody start of the Saratoga campaign and proved the resilience of American forces.

September 21

1780 — Benedict Arnold Commits Treason

Discover how celebrated American General Benedict Arnold betrayed his country in 1780, plotting to surrender West Point to the British.

September 22

The Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation - This Day in History

On September 22, 1862, Lincoln issued the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, redefining the Civil War as a battle for freedom as well as union.

September 22

1776 — Nathan Hale is Executed by the British for Spying

At 21, the Yale-educated schoolteacher volunteered to spy behind British lines on Long Island, was caught with documents on September 22, 1776, and hanged the next morning.

September 23

The End of the Lewis & Clark Expedition - This Day in History

On September 23, 1806, Lewis and Clark returned to St. Louis, completing their epic expedition across North America and forever shaping U.S. history.

September 23

1846 — Planet Neptune is Discovered

On September 23, 1846, Johann Galle found Neptune the same night he received Urbain Le Verrier's math, which predicted the planet's location from wobbles in Uranus's orbit.

September 24

Black Friday Financial Panic - This Day in History

On Black Friday 1869, Jay Gould and James Fisk's gold scheme rocked Wall Street and exposed corruption at the highest levels of U.S. government.

September 24

1968 — First Episode of “60 Minutes” Airs

On September 24, 1968, CBS aired the first episode with no ticking stopwatch, airing every other Tuesday at 10 p.m. and struggling for years before its Sunday move in 1975.

September 25

Sequoia National Park Established - This Day in History

Established in 1890, Sequoia National Park protects the world's largest trees and showcases over a century of U.S. conservation history.

September 25

1970 — “The Partridge Family” Premieres on ABC

On September 25, 1970, David Cassidy and Shirley Jones boarded that painted bus, and within two months "I Think I Love You" hit No. 1 on the Billboard chart.

September 26

First-Ever Televised Presidential Debate - This Day in History

The 1960 Kennedy-Nixon debate marked a turning point in U.S. politics, launching the era of televised presidential debates and media-driven campaigns.

September 29

Congress Establishes the U.S. Army - This Day in History

On September 29, 1789, Congress formally created the U.S. Army under the Constitution, shaping military power within civilian control.

September 30

The USS Nautilus Was Commissioned - This Day in History

On September 30, 1954, the U.S. Navy commissioned USS Nautilus, the world’s first nuclear-powered submarine—redefining naval warfare forever.

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September 25, 1970 · Added Sep 25, 2026

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