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.
Read more 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 7
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Pick a month to walk through its anniversaries, day by day.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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…
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.”
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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Recent additions
The newest pages in the archive, fresh from the editorial desk.
September 4, 2016 · Added Sep 4, 2026
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.
Read moreSeptember 3, 1928 · Added Sep 3, 2026
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…
Read moreSeptember 2, 1969 · Added Sep 2, 2026
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.
Read moreSeptember 1, 1939 · Added Sep 1, 2026
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.
Read more
August 31, 1997 · Added Aug 31, 2026
Princess Diana Dies in Paris Car Crash
Investigators found driver Henri Paul had alcohol and prescription drugs in his system when the Mercedes hit a pillar in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel, killing Diana at 36.
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August 28, 1955 · Added Aug 28, 2026
Emmett Till is Murdered
Fourteen-year-old Emmett Till was brutally murdered while visiting relatives in Mississippi, a horrific crime that shocked Americans and became a catalyst for the growing Civil Rights Movement.
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