September 14 has witnessed a wide array of significant events throughout history, spanning from ancient times to the modern era.
From the ascension of influential leaders and pivotal battles to groundbreaking achievements and cultural milestones, this date marks moments that have shaped nations and impacted global affairs.
In this article, we explore twenty notable occurrences that happened on September 14, highlighting their historical importance and lasting legacy. Join us as we journey through the centuries, uncovering the stories behind these remarkable events.
September 14th – On this Day in History
81 AD – Domitian Becomes Emperor
On September 14, 81 AD, Domitian ascended to the throne as Emperor of the Roman Empire following the death of his brother, Titus. Domitian, whose full name was Titus Flavius Domitianus, was the third and last ruler of the Flavian dynasty. His reign lasted for 15 years, making him one of Rome’s more enduring emperors.

Domitian’s rule was marked by significant military campaigns, particularly in Britain and Germany, and extensive construction projects across the Empire, including the restoration of the Capitol and the expansion of the Roman road network.
Despite his achievements, Domitian’s autocratic style and the fear he instilled among the Senate led to his assassination in 96 AD, ending his controversial reign.
786 – Harun al-Rashid Becomes Caliph
On September 14, 786, Harun al-Rashid became the Abbasid caliph following the death of his brother al-Hadi. This event, often referred to as the “Night of the Three Caliphs,” marked the beginning of Harun al-Rashid’s notable reign.
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Harun al-Rashid is celebrated for presiding over the Islamic Golden Age, a period of significant cultural, economic, and scientific advancements in the Muslim world.
His court in Baghdad became a center for the arts and learning, attracting scholars, poets, and artists from across the known world. The tales of “One Thousand and One Nights” often feature Harun al-Rashid, reflecting his legendary status and the prosperity of his era.
1741 – Handel Completes “Messiah”
On September 14, 1741, George Frideric Handel completed his famous oratorio “Messiah.” This monumental work, composed in just 24 days, has become one of the most enduring and frequently performed choral pieces in Western music. “Messiah” is renowned for its intricate compositions and powerful choruses, including the famous “Hallelujah” chorus.
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Handel’s work, inspired by scriptural texts compiled by his friend Charles Jennens, was initially performed in Dublin, Ireland, in 1742. Over time, “Messiah” has become a staple of the Christmas and Easter repertoires, celebrated for its spiritual depth and artistic brilliance.
1752 – British Empire Adopts Gregorian Calendar
On September 14, 1752, the British Empire officially adopted the Gregorian calendar, an adjustment that resulted in the loss of 11 days from the calendar (the previous day being September 2). This change was implemented to correct the inaccuracies of the Julian calendar, which had caused a misalignment with the solar year.
The Gregorian calendar, introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582, had already been adopted by many Catholic countries. The switch was initially met with resistance and confusion among the British populace, but it ultimately brought the British calendar in line with the rest of Europe, facilitating more accurate timekeeping and international coordination.
1812 – Napoleon’s Army Enters Moscow

On September 14, 1812, Napoleon Bonaparte’s Grand Army entered Moscow during his ill-fated invasion of Russia. However, the French forces found the city largely abandoned and engulfed in flames, a result of the Russian scorched earth policy designed to deny the invaders supplies and shelter.
The entry into a burning Moscow marked a significant turning point in Napoleon’s Russian campaign. Without adequate resources and facing the onset of the harsh Russian winter, Napoleon’s army suffered devastating losses during its retreat.
The failure of the Russian campaign weakened Napoleon’s military might and contributed to his eventual downfall.
1814 – Francis Scott Key Writes “The Star-Spangled Banner”
On September 14, 1814, during the War of 1812, Francis Scott Key composed the poem that would later become the United States’ national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Key, a lawyer and amateur poet, was inspired to write the poem after witnessing the British bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland.
Despite the intense shelling, Key was moved by the sight of the American flag, known as the “Star-Spangled Banner,” still flying over the fort at dawn. His poem, initially titled “Defence of Fort M’Henry,” was set to the tune of a popular British song and gained widespread popularity. It was officially adopted as the national anthem in 1931.
1829 – Treaty of Adrianople
On September 14, 1829, the Treaty of Adrianople was signed, bringing an end to the Russo-Turkish War (1828-1829). The treaty was negotiated between the Russian Empire and the Ottoman Empire, with significant territorial and political concessions granted to Russia.
As a result, Russia gained control over the mouth of the Danube River and parts of the eastern coast of the Black Sea. Additionally, the Ottoman Empire recognized the independence of Greece, although it remained a nominal Ottoman territory until 1830.
The Treaty of Adrianople marked a significant shift in the balance of power in Eastern Europe, weakening Ottoman influence and enhancing Russia’s position in the region.
1847 – American Forces Capture Mexico City
On September 14, 1847, during the Mexican-American War, American forces led by General Winfield Scott successfully captured Mexico City. This decisive victory came after a series of hard-fought battles, including the Battle of Chapultepec.

The fall of Mexico City effectively ended major combat operations in the war and led to the negotiation of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848. The treaty resulted in Mexico ceding a vast portion of its northern territory to the United States, including present-day California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico.
The capture of Mexico City solidified American territorial expansion and significantly altered the geopolitical landscape of North America.
1862 – Battle of South Mountain
On September 14, 1862, the Battle of South Mountain took place as part of the Maryland Campaign during the American Civil War. Union forces under Major General George B. McClellan clashed with Confederate troops commanded by General Robert E. Lee.
The battle occurred at three mountain passes: Crampton’s Gap, Turner’s Gap, and Fox’s Gap. Despite initial Confederate resistance, Union forces managed to break through the mountain defenses, forcing Lee to reconsider his position in Maryland.
The battle, though not decisive, was a strategic Union victory that set the stage for the larger and bloodier Battle of Antietam, which followed three days later.
1901 – President William McKinley Dies
On September 14, 1901, President William McKinley succumbed to wounds inflicted by an assassin’s bullet, making him the third American president to be assassinated. McKinley was shot by anarchist Leon Czolgosz on September 6, 1901, while attending the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York.
His death led to Vice President Theodore Roosevelt being sworn in as the 26th President of the United States. McKinley’s assassination highlighted the growing tensions and unrest within the country at the turn of the century, including issues related to industrialization, labor disputes, and anarchist movements.
1917 – Russian Empire Renamed Russian Republic
On September 14, 1917, amidst the turmoil of World War I and the ongoing Russian Revolution, the Russian Empire was officially renamed the Russian Republic. This change marked a significant step in the transformation of Russia from a centuries-old autocracy under the Romanov dynasty to a short-lived republic.
The Provisional Government, led initially by Prince Georgy Lvov and later by Alexander Kerensky, sought to stabilize the nation and transition towards a more democratic and modern state.
However, the government struggled with internal divisions, war fatigue, and increasing influence from the Bolsheviks, who would seize power in the October Revolution later that year, leading to the establishment of Soviet Russia.
1936 – Last Public Execution in the United States
On September 14, 1936, the last public execution in the United States took place in Owensboro, Kentucky. Rainey Bethea, a 22-year-old African American man convicted of raping and murdering a 70-year-old woman, was executed by hanging.
The event attracted a large crowd, estimated at around 20,000 people, and garnered significant media attention. The chaotic and carnival-like atmosphere surrounding Bethea’s execution led to widespread criticism and calls for reform.
As a result, Kentucky became the last state to hold a public execution, and the spectacle played a crucial role in the movement towards more private and regulated methods of carrying out capital punishment in the U.S.
1944 – Maastricht Liberated in World War II

On September 14, 1944, during World War II, Allied forces liberated Maastricht, making it the first Dutch city to be freed from Nazi occupation. The liberation was part of the broader Operation Market Garden, a major Allied offensive aimed at securing key bridges and pushing into the heart of Germany.
Maastricht’s liberation was significant not only for its strategic importance but also for boosting the morale of both the Dutch population and Allied troops. The event marked the beginning of the end of German occupation in the Netherlands and paved the way for further advances into Nazi-held territories in Western Europe.
1959 – Luna 2 Crashes onto the Moon
On September 14, 1959, the Soviet probe Luna 2 became the first human-made object to reach the Moon, crashing onto its surface. This landmark achievement in space exploration demonstrated the Soviet Union’s advanced technological capabilities during the early years of the Space Race.
Luna 2, also known as Lunik 2, was launched on September 12, 1959, and carried scientific instruments to study cosmic rays, solar wind, and the Moon’s magnetic field.
The successful mission provided valuable data and marked a significant milestone, fueling further competition between the Soviet Union and the United States in their quest to explore and eventually land humans on the Moon.
1960 – Founding of OPEC
On September 14, 1960, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) was founded at a conference held in Baghdad, Iraq.
The founding members included Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela. OPEC was established to coordinate and unify petroleum policies among member countries, ensuring fair and stable prices for petroleum producers and a regular supply of oil to consuming nations.
The formation of OPEC marked a significant shift in the global oil industry, giving oil-producing countries more control over their resources and influence in international markets. Over the decades, OPEC has played a crucial role in managing oil production and prices, impacting the global economy and geopolitical landscape.
1975 – Elizabeth Ann Seton Canonized
On September 14, 1975, Elizabeth Ann Seton was canonized by Pope Paul VI, becoming the first American-born saint. Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton, born in 1774, was a pioneering figure in American Catholicism.
She founded the first American religious community for women, the Sisters of Charity, and established the first Catholic girls’ school and the first Catholic orphanage in the United States.
Her dedication to education, charity, and religious life left a lasting impact on the American Catholic Church. Seton’s canonization was a recognition of her deep faith, service, and contributions to the growth of Catholicism in the United States.
1982 – Sabra and Shatila Massacre
On September 14, 1982, Lebanese Christian Phalangist militia entered the Palestinian refugee camps of Sabra and Shatila in West Beirut, Lebanon, and massacred hundreds of Palestinian refugees over the next two days.
The massacre occurred during the Lebanese Civil War, following the assassination of newly elected Lebanese President Bashir Gemayel, leader of the Phalangist party.
The Israeli Defense Forces, which had invaded Lebanon earlier that year and occupied parts of Beirut, surrounded the camps and allowed the Phalangists to enter. The killings drew international outrage and condemnation, significantly affecting the perception of the Israeli invasion and intensifying the Lebanese conflict.
1984 – Joe Kittinger’s Transatlantic Balloon Flight
On September 14, 1984, retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Joe Kittinger made history by becoming the first person to fly a gas balloon solo across the Atlantic Ocean. Kittinger’s journey in the helium-filled balloon, named “Rosie O’Grady’s Balloon of Peace,” began in Caribou, Maine, on September 14 and ended in Savona, Italy, on September 18.
Covering a distance of over 3,500 miles, the flight took 86 hours and faced numerous challenges, including adverse weather conditions and equipment malfunctions. Kittinger’s achievement demonstrated remarkable endurance and skill, adding to his already legendary status as an aviation pioneer, known for his earlier high-altitude parachute jumps.
1994 – Major League Baseball Season Canceled
On September 14, 1994, the Major League Baseball (MLB) season was officially canceled due to a players’ strike that had begun on August 12. The cancellation marked the first time in MLB history that the World Series was not held since its inception in 1903.
It was primarily over issues related to salary caps, revenue sharing, and the implementation of a luxury tax. The labor dispute led to deep divisions between players and owners, causing significant financial losses and damaging the sport’s reputation.
The strike lasted 232 days, ending in April 1995, and fundamentally changed the landscape of labor relations in professional baseball.
2000 – Microsoft Releases Windows ME
On September 14, 2000, Microsoft released Windows Millennium Edition (Windows ME), the final operating system in the Windows 9x series. Designed primarily for home users, Windows ME introduced several new features, including improved multimedia capabilities, System Restore for easier troubleshooting, and enhanced support for digital media and networking.
Despite these innovations, Windows ME was criticized for its stability issues and frequent crashes, leading to mixed reviews from users and tech experts. The release of Windows ME marked the end of an era for the Windows 9x line, as Microsoft shifted its focus to the more stable and robust Windows NT-based systems with the launch of Windows XP in 2001.