September 13 Events in History

Throughout history, September 13 has witnessed a multitude of significant events that have shaped the course of nations, influenced cultural and scientific advancements, and marked notable milestones in human achievement.

From groundbreaking moments in politics and science to cultural milestones and historic declarations, this date serves as a reflection of the diverse and impactful occurrences that continue to resonate through time.

September 13th – On this Day in History

122 – Construction of Hadrian’s Wall Begins

In the year 122, the construction of Hadrian’s Wall began in northern Britain. Commissioned by the Roman Emperor Hadrian during his visit to the region, the wall was designed to consolidate and secure the northern boundary of the Roman Empire.

Building Hadrians Wall

Stretching approximately 73 miles from the River Tyne near the North Sea to the Solway Firth on the Irish Sea, Hadrian’s Wall was a formidable fortification.

It included a series of fortresses, milecastles, and turrets and served as a strong defensive barrier against the Picts and other tribal groups from the north. The wall not only marked the edge of Roman territory but also facilitated control over trade and movement across the frontier.

1501 – Michelangelo Begins Work on His Statue of David

In 1501, the renowned Italian artist Michelangelo Buonarroti began work on what would become one of his most famous masterpieces, the statue of David. Commissioned by the Opera del Duomo for the Cathedral of Florence, this monumental sculpture was carved from a single block of Carrara marble.

Also Read: September 12 Events in History

Michelangelo’s David, standing at 17 feet tall, represents the biblical hero David who defeated Goliath. The statue is celebrated for its depiction of human beauty and strength, embodying the ideals of the Renaissance. Upon its completion in 1504, it was placed in the Piazza della Signoria, becoming a symbol of Florentine freedom and civic pride.

1541 – John Calvin Returns to Geneva

On September 13, 1541, the influential Protestant reformer John Calvin made his return to Geneva, Switzerland, where he would play a pivotal role in the establishment of Calvinism. Calvin had previously been expelled from the city due to conflicts with local authorities but was invited back to continue his work on church reform.

John Calvin

Upon his return, Calvin set about reorganizing the church’s governance and doctrine according to his theological principles. His efforts led to the creation of a strict and disciplined community, emphasizing predestination, the absolute sovereignty of God, and a robust moral code. Geneva soon became a center of Protestantism and a model for other reformers across Europe.

1743 – Treaty of Worms Signed

The Treaty of Worms was signed on September 13, 1743, marking a significant diplomatic and military alliance during the War of the Austrian Succession. This treaty was a pact between Great Britain, Austria, and the Kingdom of Sardinia, aimed at countering the aggressive expansion of France and Spain.

Also Read: September 14th – On this Day in History

Under the terms of the treaty, Great Britain agreed to provide military and financial support to Austria and Sardinia in their efforts to defend their territories against the Bourbon powers. The alliance fortified the position of the Habsburg Monarchy in Central Europe and was a crucial step in maintaining the balance of power on the continent during this turbulent period.

1788 – New York City Designated Temporary Capital of the United States

On September 13, 1788, the Congress of the Confederation officially designated New York City as the temporary capital of the United States.

This decision came during a time of significant transition as the new nation sought to establish a stable government following the end of the Revolutionary War. New York City was chosen due to its strategic location, economic importance, and relatively well-developed infrastructure.

The city served as the nation’s capital until 1790, during which time the first sessions of the United States Congress were held, and George Washington was inaugurated as the first President of the United States. This period in New York City’s history was crucial in laying the foundations for the new government.

1814 – Francis Scott Key Writes “The Star-Spangled Banner”

On September 13, 1814, during the War of 1812, American lawyer and poet Francis Scott Key penned the poem that would later become the national anthem of the United States, “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Key was inspired to write the poem after witnessing the British bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland.

Observing the fort’s defense and the large American flag still flying after the attack, Key was moved to write about the resilience and bravery of the American defenders. The poem was set to the tune of a popular British song and gained immediate popularity.

In 1931, it was officially adopted as the national anthem of the United States, symbolizing the country’s enduring spirit and patriotism.

1848 – Phineas Gage Survives a 3-Foot Iron Rod Driven Through His Head

On September 13, 1848, Phineas Gage, a railroad construction foreman, survived a horrific accident that would become one of the most famous cases in the study of neuroscience.

While working in Vermont, an explosion caused a 3-foot iron rod to be driven through his skull, entering under his left cheekbone and exiting through the top of his head.

Remarkably, Gage survived and retained full consciousness immediately after the incident. His personality, however, underwent significant changes, providing early evidence of the relationship between brain injury and changes in personality and behavior.

Gage’s case became a cornerstone in the study of the brain’s functions and its impact on human behavior, influencing both medical science and psychology.

1862 – Union Soldiers Find a Copy of Robert E. Lee’s Battle Plans

On September 13, 1862, during the American Civil War, Union soldiers discovered a lost copy of Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s battle plans in a field near Frederick, Maryland. Known as Special Order 191, the document outlined Lee’s movements and strategic intentions for the Maryland Campaign.

Robert E Lee

This crucial intelligence, found wrapped around three cigars, was quickly forwarded to Union General George B. McClellan. With this knowledge, McClellan was able to act decisively, leading to the Battle of Antietam on September 17, 1862.

Though the battle was tactically inconclusive, it halted Lee’s invasion of the North and provided President Abraham Lincoln with the opportunity to issue the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, which shifted the war’s focus towards the abolition of slavery.

1898 – Hannibal Goodwin Patents Celluloid Photographic Film

On September 13, 1898, Hannibal Goodwin, an Episcopal priest and amateur photographer, was granted a patent for celluloid photographic film. This invention revolutionized photography and motion pictures by providing a flexible, durable medium for capturing images.

Prior to Goodwin’s invention, photographic plates were fragile and cumbersome, limiting the practicality and portability of cameras. Goodwin’s celluloid film allowed for the development of roll film, which became the standard in photography and was later adapted for use in motion picture cameras.

Although Goodwin faced legal battles over the patent, his innovation laid the groundwork for the modern film industry and significantly advanced the field of photography.

1922 – The Straw Hat Riot Begins in New York City

On September 13, 1922, the Straw Hat Riot erupted in New York City, a bizarre and violent conflict over the wearing of straw hats past the unofficial end of summer. Traditionally, wearing straw hats after September 15 was considered a fashion faux pas, and those who defied this unwritten rule often faced ridicule.

However, in 1922, this social custom led to days of unrest when gangs of youths began forcibly removing and destroying straw hats from pedestrians’ heads. The riots escalated, leading to street fights and numerous arrests.

The Straw Hat Riot highlighted the extreme and sometimes irrational adherence to fashion norms and served as a peculiar chapter in the history of New York City.

1933 – Elizabeth McCombs Becomes the First Woman Elected to the New Zealand Parliament

On September 13, 1933, Elizabeth McCombs made history by becoming the first woman elected to the New Zealand Parliament. Representing the Lyttelton electorate for the Labour Party, her election marked a significant milestone in the fight for women’s political representation in New Zealand.

McCombs’ victory came nearly four decades after New Zealand became the first country in the world to grant women the right to vote in 1893. Despite the progress made with suffrage, it took many years before a woman was elected to the legislative body.

McCombs’ success not only highlighted the evolving role of women in New Zealand society but also paved the way for future generations of women in politics, inspiring increased participation and advocacy for gender equality.

1948 – Margaret Chase Smith Elected as the First Female U.S. Senator

Margaret Chase Smith

On September 13, 1948, Margaret Chase Smith was elected as the first female U.S. senator, representing the state of Maine.

Smith had previously served in the House of Representatives and decided to run for the Senate following the death of her husband, who had held the seat. Her election was groundbreaking, making her the first woman to serve in both houses of Congress.

During her tenure, Smith was known for her strong principles and independent stance, most notably her “Declaration of Conscience” speech in 1950, in which she criticized the tactics of Senator Joseph McCarthy and his anti-Communist crusade.

Smith’s legacy includes her commitment to integrity, bipartisanship, and advocating for women’s rights, establishing her as a trailblazer in American politics.

1961 – Unmanned Mercury-Atlas Rocket Launched Successfully into Suborbit

On September 13, 1961, NASA successfully launched an unmanned Mercury-Atlas rocket into suborbit, a crucial step in the United States’ efforts to explore space and send humans beyond Earth’s atmosphere. This mission, known as Mercury-Atlas 4, was part of the Mercury program, which aimed to put an American astronaut into orbit around the Earth.

The successful flight tested the Atlas launch vehicle’s reliability and the spacecraft’s systems, gathering valuable data for future manned missions.

The achievements of the Mercury-Atlas missions laid the groundwork for subsequent space exploration endeavors, including the Gemini and Apollo programs, and marked a significant milestone in the early stages of human spaceflight.

1971 – State Police and National Guardsmen Storm New York’s Attica Prison

On September 13, 1971, New York’s Attica Prison was the scene of a violent confrontation as state police and National Guardsmen stormed the facility to end a five-day prison revolt. The uprising began on September 9, when inmates took control of the prison, demanding better living conditions, political rights, and a general amnesty for the rebellion.

Negotiations between the inmates and authorities initially showed promise but eventually broke down. The retaking of the prison resulted in a tragic loss of life, with 43 people killed, including both inmates and hostages.

The Attica Prison riot brought national attention to the conditions and treatment of prisoners in the United States, leading to calls for reform and greater scrutiny of the penal system.

1985 – Super Mario Bros. Released in Japan for the Nintendo Entertainment System

On September 13, 1985, the iconic video game Super Mario Bros. was released in Japan for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). Developed by Nintendo, this groundbreaking game was designed by Shigeru Miyamoto and featured the adventures of Mario, a plumber, as he navigated the Mushroom Kingdom to rescue Princess Toadstool from the villainous Bowser.

Super Mario Bros. introduced innovative gameplay mechanics, including side-scrolling levels, power-ups, and hidden secrets, which set new standards for the platformer genre.

The game’s success helped revive the video game industry after the crash of 1983 and established Nintendo as a dominant force in the market. Super Mario Bros. became one of the best-selling video games of all time, influencing countless subsequent titles and cementing Mario as a cultural icon.

1993 – Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat Sign the Oslo Accords

On September 13, 1993, a historic moment in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict occurred as Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat signed the Oslo Accords on the White House lawn, with U.S. President Bill Clinton presiding.

The accords represented a significant breakthrough in the long-standing conflict, marking the first time that both parties officially recognized each other and agreed to negotiate a peaceful resolution.

The Oslo Accords laid out a framework for Palestinian self-governance in parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip and set the stage for further negotiations on critical issues such as borders, refugees, and the status of Jerusalem.

While the accords were a hopeful step towards peace, subsequent events and continued hostilities highlighted the complexities and challenges of achieving a lasting solution to the conflict.

1994 – The Federal Assault Weapons Ban Goes Into Effect in the United States

On September 13, 1994, the Federal Assault Weapons Ban (AWB) went into effect in the United States, aiming to reduce gun violence by prohibiting the manufacture and sale of certain semi-automatic firearms and large-capacity ammunition magazines.

The ban was part of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, signed into law by President Bill Clinton. The AWB targeted firearms defined by specific features, such as folding stocks, pistol grips, and bayonet mounts, which were deemed to enhance the lethality of these weapons.

The law faced significant opposition from gun rights advocates and was a subject of intense debate. The ban had a sunset provision and expired in 2004, with studies on its effectiveness yielding mixed results. The debate over gun control and the AWB’s impact continues to be a contentious issue in American politics.

2001 – Civilian Aircraft Traffic Resumes in the United States After the September 11 Attacks

On September 13, 2001, civilian aircraft traffic resumed in the United States after a nationwide grounding of all flights in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

This unprecedented halt in air travel was implemented by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a security measure following the hijacking of four commercial airliners by al-Qaeda terrorists, leading to the tragic events at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a field in Pennsylvania.

The resumption of flights marked a critical step in the country’s efforts to return to normalcy and rebuild confidence in air travel. Enhanced security measures were put in place, including stricter screening procedures and the establishment of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), fundamentally changing the landscape of aviation security in the United States.

2007 – The United Nations Adopts the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

On September 13, 2007, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), a landmark document recognizing the rights and freedoms of indigenous populations worldwide.

The declaration was the result of decades of advocacy and negotiations involving indigenous leaders, human rights organizations, and member states. It outlined the rights of indigenous peoples to self-determination, cultural preservation, land ownership, and protection against discrimination.

Although the declaration is not legally binding, it serves as a powerful statement of the international community’s commitment to addressing historical injustices and promoting the dignity and rights of indigenous peoples.

The adoption of UNDRIP marked a significant step forward in global human rights efforts and continues to influence policies and initiatives aimed at supporting indigenous communities.

2008 – Hurricane Ike Makes Landfall on the Texas Gulf Coast

On September 13, 2008, Hurricane Ike made landfall on the Texas Gulf Coast near Galveston, causing widespread devastation and flooding. Ike was a powerful Category 2 hurricane, with sustained winds of 110 mph and a massive storm surge that inundated coastal areas.

The hurricane caused significant damage to infrastructure, homes, and businesses, leaving millions without power and prompting extensive evacuation orders. Ike was one of the costliest hurricanes in U.S. history, with economic losses estimated at over $30 billion.

The storm also highlighted the vulnerabilities of coastal communities to extreme weather events and underscored the importance of emergency preparedness and resilient infrastructure. The aftermath of Hurricane Ike spurred efforts to improve disaster response and recovery mechanisms in the affected regions.