TODAY IN HISTORY: SEPTEMBER 20

 

September 20

 

September 20th is a date that holds significance in various aspects. From historical events to cultural celebrations, this day has left an indelible mark on our collective memory.

One of the most notable events in history that occurred on September 20th is the signing of the Declaration of Independence. On this day in 1810, the people of Mexico began their fight for independence from Spanish rule. The document, known as the Grito de Dolores, marked the beginning of a long and arduous struggle that ultimately led to Mexico's independence over a decade later. This event serves as a reminder of the courage and determination of those who fought for their freedom.

September 20th is also known for various cultural celebrations around the world. In Germany, the Oktoberfest kicks off on this date. This traditional festival is held in Munich and draws millions of visitors each year. It is a vibrant celebration of Bavarian culture, featuring beer, food, music, and parades. The festivities continue for several weeks, culminating in a grand finale that leaves a lasting impression on all who partake in it.

In addition to Oktoberfest, September 20th is celebrated as National Punch Day in the United States. This lighthearted holiday pays homage to the popular beverage and encourages people to try different punch recipes. It is a day to enjoy the refreshing taste of fruit-infused drinks and to share them with friends and family.

September 20th is also a day to commemorate notable individuals who have made significant contributions to their respective fields. For instance, Upton Sinclair, a prominent American author and social reformer, was born on this day in 1878. Sinclair's works, such as \The Jungle,\ exposed the harsh realities of the meatpacking industry and sparked important public debates on issues such as labor rights and food safety.

Furthermore, September 20th serves as a reminder of the power of collective action. In recent years, this date has gained recognition as the Global Climate Strike. Organized by young activists, such as Greta Thunberg, it is a worldwide movement that aims to raise awareness about the climate crisis and demand urgent action from governments and corporations. The September 20th Climate Strikes have seen millions of people take to the streets, showcasing the strength in numbers and the determination of the global community to address this pressing issue.

On a lighter note, September 20th is also a day to celebrate the magic of reading. It marks National Read an eBook Day, encouraging book lovers to embrace digital reading formats and explore the vast literary world available at their fingertips. This occasion serves as a reminder of the versatility of reading and the importance of continued learning and personal growth.

In conclusion, September 20th brings together a multitude of events and celebrations that span across history, culture, and individual achievements. From the fight for independence in Mexico to the vibrant festivities of Oktoberfest, this date marks significant milestones and moments of unity. It reminds us of the power of collective action, the importance of awareness and change, and the beauty of literature. September 20th is indeed a day worth commemorating and appreciating.

Here are some more events of this day:

1058 – Agnes of Poitou and Andrew I of Hungary meet to negotiate about the border territory of Burgenland.

1066 – At the Battle of Fulford, Harald Hardrada defeats earls Morcar and Edwin.

1187 – Saladin begins the Siege of Jerusalem.

1260 – The Great Prussian Uprising among the old Prussians begins against the Teutonic Knights.

1378 – Cardinal Robert of Geneva is elected as Pope Clement VII, beginning the Papal schism.

1498 – The Nankai tsunami washes away the building housing the Great Buddha at Kōtoku-in; it has been located outside ever since.

1519 – Ferdinand Magellan sets sail from Sanlúcar de Barrameda with about 270 men on his expedition which ultimately culminates in the first circumnavigation of the globe.

1586 – A number of conspirators in the Babington Plot are hanged, drawn and quartered.

1602 – The Spanish-held Dutch town of Grave capitulates to a besieging Dutch and English army under the command of Maurice of Orange.

1697 – The Treaty of Ryswick is signed by France, England, Spain, the Holy Roman Empire and the Dutch Republic, ending the Nine Years' War.

1737 – The Walking Purchase concludes, which forces the cession of 1.2 million acres (4,860 km) of Lenape-Delaware tribal land to the Pennsylvania Colony.

1792 – French troops stop an allied invasion of France at the Battle of Valmy.

1835 – The decade-long Ragamuffin War starts when rebels capture Porto Alegre in Brazil.

1854 – Crimean War: British and French troops defeat Russians at the Battle of Alma.

1857 – The Indian Rebellion of 1857 ends with the recapture of Delhi by troops loyal to the East India Company.

1860 – The future King Edward VII of the United Kingdom begins the first visit to North America by a Prince of Wales.

1863 – American Civil War: The Battle of Chickamauga, in northwestern Georgia, ends in a Confederate victory.

1870 – The Bersaglieri corps enter Rome through the Porta Pia, and complete the unification of Italy.

1871 – Bishop John Coleridge Patteson, first bishop of Melanesia, is martyred on Nukapu, now in the Solomon Islands.

1881 – U.S. President Chester A. Arthur is sworn in upon the death of James A. Garfield the previous day.

1893 – Charles Duryea and his brother road-test the first American-made gasoline-powered automobile.

1911 – The White Star Line's RMS Olympic collides with the British warship HMS Hawke.

1920 – Irish War of Independence: British police known as "Black and Tans" burn the town of Balbriggan and kill two local men in revenge for an IRA assassination.

1941 – The Holocaust in Lithuania: Lithuanian Nazis and local police begin a mass execution of 403 Jews in Nemenčinė.

1942 – The Holocaust in Ukraine: In the course of two days a German Einsatzgruppe murders at least 3,000 Jews in Letychiv.

1946 – The first Cannes Film Festival is held, having been delayed for seven years due to World War II.

1946 – Six days after a referendum, King Christian X of Denmark annuls the declaration of independence of the Faroe Islands.

1955 – The Treaty on Relations between the USSR and the GDR is signed.

1961 – Greek general Konstantinos Dovas becomes Prime Minister of Greece.

1962 – James Meredith, an African American, is temporarily barred from entering the University of Mississippi.

1965 – Following the Battle of Burki, the Indian Army captures Dograi in during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965.

1967 – The Cunard Liner Queen Elizabeth 2 is launched in Clydebank, Scotland.

1971 – Having weakened after making landfall in Nicaragua the previous day, Hurricane Irene regains enough strength to be renamed Hurricane Olivia, making it the first known hurricane to cross from the Atlantic Ocean into the Pacific.

1973 – Billie Jean King beats Bobby Riggs in the Battle of the Sexes tennis match at the Houston Astrodome.

1973 – Singer Jim Croce, songwriter and musician Maury Muehleisen and four others die when their light aircraft crashes on takeoff at Natchitoches Regional Airport in Louisiana.

1977 – Vietnam is admitted to the United Nations.

1979 – A French-supported coup d'état in the Central African Empire overthrows Emperor Bokassa I.

1982 – NFL season: American football players in the National Football League begin a 57-day strike.

1984 – A suicide bomber in a car attacks the U.S. embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, killing twenty-two people.

1989 – USAir Flight 5050 crashes into Bowery Bay during a rejected takeoff from LaGuardia Airport, killing two people.

1990 – South Ossetia declares its independence from Georgia.

2000 – The United Kingdom's MI6 Secret Intelligence Service building is attacked by individuals using a Russian-built RPG-22 anti-tank missile.

2001 – In an address to a joint session of Congress and the American people, U.S. President George W. Bush declares a "War on Terror".

2003 – Civil unrest in the Maldives breaks out after a prisoner is killed by guards.

2007 – Between 15,000 and 20,000 protesters march on Jena, Louisiana, United States, in support of six black youths who had been convicted of assaulting a white classmate.

2008 – A dump truck full of explosives detonates in front of the Marriott hotel in Islamabad, Pakistan, killing 54 people and injuring 266 others.

2011 – The United States military ends its "don't ask, don't tell" policy, allowing gay men and women to serve openly for the first time.

2017 – Hurricane Maria makes landfall in Puerto Rico as a powerful Category 4 hurricane, resulting in 2,975 deaths, US$90 billion in damage, and a major humanitarian crisis.

2018 – At least 161 people die after a ferry capsizes close to the pier on Ukara Island in Lake Victoria, Tanzania.

2019 – Roughly four million people, mostly students, demonstrate across the world to address climate change. Sixteen-year-old Greta Thunberg from Sweden leads the demonstration in New York City.