On This Day in History — September 11

Highlights of September 11

• 2025 — Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro was sentenced to 27 years in prison for his involvement in a coup plot. Read more
• 2012 — The American consulate and CIA annex in Libya were attacked by a heavily armed group, resulting in the deaths of U.S. ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and three others. Read more
• 2001 — al-Qaeda hijacked four passenger airliners to carry out a series of terrorist attacks (one pictured) against targets in New York City and the area of Washington, D.C., killing 2,977 people. Read more
• 1995 — Mir EO-19, the first expedition to the Russian space station Mir launched on an American Space Shuttle, returned to Earth after approximately 75 days in space. Read more
• 1992 — Hurricane Iniki, the most powerful hurricane on record to strike the Hawaiian Islands, passed directly over the island of Kauai, killing six people and causing around US$1.8 billion dollars in damage. Read more
• 1978 — British medical photographer Janet Parker became the last recorded person to die from smallpox, leading to a debate on whether the virus should be preserved. Read more
• 1945 — The Japanese-run camp at Batu Lintang in Borneo was liberated by the Australian 9th Division, averting the planned massacre of its 2,000-plus Allied POWs and civilian internees by four days. Read more
• 1941 — In Des Moines, Iowa, American aviator Charles Lindbergh delivered an antisemitic speech (reporting pictured) accusing Jews of controlling the media and manipulating the United States into joining World War II. Read more
• 1914 — First World War: The Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force invaded German New Guinea, winning the Battle of Bita Paka. Read more
• 1897 — Gaki Sherocho was captured by the forces of Ethiopian emperor Menelik II, bringing an end to the Kingdom of Kaffa. Read more
• 1893 — Swami Vivekananda (pictured) gave a speech introducing Hinduism on the opening day of the first Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago. Read more
• 1857 — A legion of Mormon militiamen completed a massacre of at least 120 California-bound Arkansas pioneers at Mountain Meadow, Utah. Read more
• 1851 — In a fight near Christiana, Pennsylvania, a group of escaped slaves and free Blacks led by William Parker fought off a federal posse seeking to arrest and return the escapees to slavery. Read more
• 1789 — Alexander Hamilton (pictured), co-writer of The Federalist Papers, became the first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury. Read more
• 1780 — American Revolutionary War: Approximately ten American soldiers were killed by Loyalists and their Native American allies in the Sugarloaf massacre in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. Read more
• 1776 — British and American leaders held a peace conference on Staten Island, New York, in the hopes of bringing an end to the nascent American Revolutionary War. Read more
• 1775 — American Revolutionary War: Benedict Arnold's expedition departed from Cambridge, Massachusetts, as part of the invasion of Quebec. Read more
• 1758 — Seven Years' War: France repelled an invasion attempt by the British in the Battle of Saint Cast. Read more
• 1697 — Great Turkish War: Forces led by Prince Eugene of Savoy decisively defeated Ottoman troops at the Battle of Zenta in present-day Serbia, ending the Turkish threat to Europe. Read more
• 1649 — Cromwellian conquest of Ireland: Oliver Cromwell's New Model Army ended the Siege of Drogheda, took over the town and massacred its garrison. Read more
• 1297 — First War of Scottish Independence: Scottish forces under Andrew Moray and William Wallace defeated English troops at the Battle of Stirling Bridge on the River Forth. Read more

Events

• 2025 — Progress MS-32 is launched to resupply the International Space Station. It is the 300th spacecraft launched to the ISS. Read more
• 2024 — Hurricane Francine impacts the Gulf of Mexico, as a Category 2 hurricane. Read more
• 2024 — Soyuz MS-26 is launched to the International Space Station, setting a record of 19 people in orbit at the same time. Read more
• 2023 — The Libyan city of Derna experiences catastrophic floods after Storm Daniel causes two dams to collapse, killing thousands of people. Read more
• 2015 — A crane collapses onto the Masjid al-Haram mosque in Saudi Arabia, killing 111 people and injuring 394 others. Read more
• 2012 — A total of 315 people are killed in two garment factory fires in Pakistan. Read more
• 2012 — The U.S. embassy in Benghazi, Libya is attacked, resulting in four deaths. Read more
• 2011 — A dedication ceremony is held at the United States National September 11 Memorial on the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks in New York City, and the memorial opens to family members. Read more
• 2008 — A major Channel Tunnel fire breaks out on a freight train, resulting in the closure of part of the tunnel for six months. Read more
• 2007 — Russia tests the largest conventional weapon ever, the Father of All Bombs. Read more
• 2001 — Nineteen members of al-Qaeda execute the September 11 attacks, a series of coordinated terrorist attacks that killed 2,977 people using four hijacked aircraft. Two aircraft crash into the World Trade Center in New York City, a third crashes into The Pentagon in Arlington County, Virginia, and a fourth into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Read more
• 1997 — NASA's Mars Global Surveyor reaches Mars. Read more
• 1997 — Kurkse tragedy: Fourteen Estonian soldiers of the Baltic Battalion are drowned or die of hypothermia during a training exercise in the Kurkse Strait. Read more
• 1997 — After a nationwide referendum, Scotland votes to establish a devolved parliament within the United Kingdom. Read more
• 1995 — The first game of the PCA World Chess Championship 1995, pitting incumbent champion Garry Kasparov against challenger Viswanathan Anand, takes place on the 107th floor of the World Trade Center's South Tower in New York City. Read more
• 1992 — Hurricane Iniki strikes the island of Kauaʻi, Hawaii, killing seven and causing $3.1bn in economic damages. Read more
• 1991 — Continental Express Flight 2574 crashes in Colorado County, Texas, near Eagle Lake, killing 11 passengers and three crew. Read more
• 1990 — A Faucett Boeing 727 disappears in the Atlantic Ocean while being flown from Malta to Peru. Read more
• 1989 — Hungary announces that the East German refugees who had been housed in temporary camps were free to leave for West Germany. Read more
• 1985 — Moimenta-Alcafache train crash, the worst railway accident to occur in Portugal. Read more
• 1982 — The international forces that were guaranteeing the safety of Palestinian refugees following Israel's 1982 Invasion of Lebanon leave Beirut. Five days later, several thousand refugees are massacred in the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps by Phalange forces. Read more
• 1980 — A new constitution of Chile is established under the influence of then Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet, which is subject to controversy in Chile today. Read more
• 1977 — Atari, Inc. releases the Video Computer System (VCS), later renamed the Atari 2600 in 1982. Read more
• 1976 — A bomb planted by a Croatian terrorist, Zvonko Bušić, is found at New York's Grand Central Terminal; one NYPD officer is killed trying to defuse it. Read more
• 1974 — Eastern Air Lines Flight 212 crashes in Charlotte, North Carolina, killing 69 passengers and two crew. Read more
• 1973 — A coup in Chile, headed by General Augusto Pinochet, topples the democratically elected president Salvador Allende. Read more
• 1973 — JAT Airways Flight 769 crashes into the Maganik mountain range while on approach to Titograd Airport, killing 35 passengers and six crew. Read more
• 1972 — The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit system begins passenger service. Read more
• 1971 — The Egyptian Constitution becomes official. Read more
• 1971 — The Festival Rock y Ruedas de Avándaro rock festival is held in the State of Mexico. It attracted more than 100,000 attendees during the Mexican Dirty War, a period marked by widespread political repression. Read more
• 1970 — The Dawson's Field hijackers release 88 of their hostages. The remaining hostages, mostly Jews and Israeli citizens, are held until September 25. Read more
• 1968 — Air France Flight 1611 crashes off Nice, France, killing 89 passengers and six crew. Read more
• 1968 — John Eliot Gardiner conducts Monteverdi's Vespro della Beata Vergine with the Monteverdi Choir at the Proms. Read more
• 1968 — Air Canada Flight 303, a Vickers Viscount 757, was the subject of an attempted plane hijacking to Cuba by a person being chased by the CIA. Read more
• 1967 — China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) launched an attack on Indian posts at Nathu La, Sikkim, India, which resulted in military clashes. Read more
• 1965 — Indo-Pakistani War: The Indian Army captures the town of Burki, just southeast of Lahore. Read more
• 1961 — Hurricane Carla strikes the Texas coast as a Category 4 hurricane, the second strongest storm ever to hit the state. Read more
• 1954 — Hurricane Edna hits New England (United States) as a Category 2 hurricane, causing significant damage and 29 deaths. Read more
• 1945 — World War II: Batu Lintang camp, a Japanese-run POW and civilian internment camp on the island of Borneo, is liberated by Australian 9th Division forces. Read more
• 1944 — World War II: RAF bombing raid on Darmstadt and the following firestorm kill 11,500. Read more
• 1943 — World War II: German troops occupy Corsica and Kosovo-Metohija ending the Italian occupation of Corsica. Read more
• 1941 — Construction begins on the Pentagon. Read more
• 1941 — Charles Lindbergh makes his Des Moines speech accusing the British, Jews and FDR's administration of conspiring for war with Germany. Read more
• 1922 — The Treaty of Kars is ratified in Yerevan, Armenia. Read more
• 1921 — Nahalal, a Jewish moshav in Palestine, is settled. Read more
• 1919 — United States Marine Corps invades Honduras. Read more
• 1916 — The Quebec Bridge's central span collapses, killing 11 men. The bridge previously collapsed completely on August 29, 1907. Read more
• 1914 — World War I: Australia invades German New Guinea, defeating a German contingent at the Battle of Bita Paka. Read more
• 1914 — The Second Period of Russification: The teaching of the Russian language and Russian history in Finnish schools is ordered to be considerably increased as part of the forced Russification program in Finland run by Tsar Nicholas II. Read more
• 1905 — The Ninth Avenue derailment occurs in New York City, killing 13. Read more
• 1903 — The first race at the Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wisconsin is held. It is the oldest major speedway in the world. Read more
• 1897 — After months of pursuit, generals of Menelik II of Ethiopia capture Gaki Sherocho, the last king of the Kaffa. Read more
• 1881 — In the Swiss state of Glarus, a rockslide buries parts of the village of Elm, destroying 83 buildings and killing 115 people. Read more
• 1857 — The Mountain Meadows massacre: Mormon settlers and Paiutes massacre 120 pioneers at Mountain Meadows, Utah. Read more
• 1852 — Outbreak of Revolution of September 11 resulting in the State of Buenos Aires declaring independence as a Republic. Read more
• 1851 — Christiana Resistance: Escaped slaves led by William Parker fight off and kill a slave owner who, with a federal marshal and an armed party, sought to seize three of his former slaves in Christiana, Pennsylvania, thereby creating a cause célèbre between slavery proponents and abolitionists. Read more
• 1840 — An Anglo-Turkish force captures Beirut with the help of bombardment by an English fleet. Read more
• 1836 — The Riograndense Republic is proclaimed by rebels after defeating Empire of Brazil's troops in the Battle of Seival, during the Ragamuffin War. Read more
• 1829 — An expedition led by Isidro Barradas at Tampico, sent by the Spanish crown to retake Mexico, surrenders at the Battle of Tampico, marking the effective end of Spain's resistance to Mexico's campaign for independence. Read more
• 1814 — War of 1812: The climax of the Battle of Plattsburgh, a major United States victory in the war. Read more

Born on September 11

• 2006 — Oliver Peake, Australian cricketer Read more
• 2001 — Joseph Fahnbulleh, Liberian-American sprinter Read more
• 2001 — Nicholas Robertson, American ice hockey player Read more
• 2000 — Leandro Bolmaro, Argentine-Italian basketball player Read more
• 2000 — Zay Flowers, American football player Read more
• 1997 — Harmony Tan, French tennis player Read more
• 1996 — Ross Colton, American professional ice hockey player Read more
• 1994 — Teuvo Teräväinen, Finnish ice hockey player Read more
• 1994 — Nicky Case, Canadian game developer Read more
• 1991 — Jordan Ayew, Ghanaian footballer Read more
• 1991 — Kygo, Norwegian DJ Read more
• 1990 — Jo Inge Berget, Norwegian footballer Read more
• 1987 — Robert Acquafresca, Italian footballer Read more
• 1987 — Elizabeth Henstridge, English actress Read more
• 1987 — Tyler Hoechlin, American actor Read more
• 1986 — Chiliboy Ralepelle, South African rugby player Read more
• 1986 — LaToya Sanders, American basketball player Read more
• 1986 — Ben Scrivens, Canadian ice hockey player Read more
• 1985 — Shaun Livingston, American basketball player Read more
• 1983 — Vivian Cheruiyot, Kenyan runner Read more
• 1982 — Elvan Abeylegesse, Ethiopian-Turkish runner Read more
• 1982 — Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Belarusian politician Read more
• 1981 — Charles Kelley, American singer and musician Read more
• 1981 — Dylan Klebold, American mass murderer, responsible for the Columbine High School massacre (died 1999) Read more
• 1981 — Michael Sukkar, Australian politician Read more
• 1980 — Mike Comrie, Canadian ice hockey player Read more
• 1980 — Greet Daems, Belgian politician Read more
• 1979 — Eric Abidal, French footballer Read more
• 1979 — Frank Francisco, Dominican baseball player Read more
• 1979 — David Pizarro, Chilean footballer Read more
• 1979 — Ariana Richards, American actress and artist Read more
• 1978 — Dejan Stanković, Serbian footballer and manager Read more
• 1977 — Jonny Buckland, Welsh guitarist Read more
• 1977 — Ludacris, American rapper and producer Read more
• 1977 — Matthew Stevens, Welsh snooker player Read more
• 1977 — Tobias Zellner, German footballer Read more
• 1976 — Tomáš Enge, Czech racing driver Read more
• 1975 — Juan Cobián, Argentinian footballer Read more
• 1975 — Pierre Issa, South African footballer Read more
• 1974 — DeLisha Milton-Jones, American basketball player and coach Read more

Died on September 11

• 2026 — Princess Astrid, Mrs. Ferner, Norwegian princess (born 1932) Read more
• 2025 — John D. Petersen, American chemist, educator, and academic administrator (born 1947) Read more
• 2024 — Kenneth Cope, British actor (born 1931) Read more
• 2024 — Alberto Fujimori, Peruvian politician, professor, and engineer, President of Peru (born 1938) Read more
• 2024 — Chad McQueen, American actor and race car driver (born 1960) Read more
• 2024 — Joe Schmidt, American football player and coach (born 1932) Read more
• 2022 — Javier Marías, Spanish novelist, journalist and translator (born 1951) Read more
• 2022 — John W. O'Malley, American academic, Catholic historian, and Jesuit priest (born 1927) Read more
• 2022 — Joyce Reynolds, British classicist and academic (born 1918) Read more
• 2021 — Abimael Guzmán, Peruvian philosopher and academic (born 1934) Read more
• 2020 — Toots Hibbert, Jamaican singer and songwriter (born 1942) Read more
• 2020 — Swami Agnivesh, an Indian social activist and the founder of Arya Sabha, a political party based on the principles of Arya Samaj (born 1939) Read more
• 2019 — B. J. Habibie, 3rd President of Indonesia (born 1936) Read more
• 2016 — Alexis Arquette, American actress, musician and cabaret performer (born 1969) Read more
• 2014 — Antoine Duhamel, French composer and conductor (born 1925) Read more
• 2014 — Donald Sinden, English actor (born 1923) Read more
• 2013 — Francisco Chavez, Filipino lawyer and politician, Solicitor General of the Philippines (born 1947) Read more
• 2013 — Albert Jacquard, French geneticist and biologist (born 1925) Read more
• 2013 — Andrzej Trybulec, Polish mathematician and computer scientist (born 1941) Read more
• 2012 — Finn Bergesen, Norwegian civil servant and businessman (born 1945) Read more
• 2012 — Tomas Evjen, Norwegian cinematographer and producer (born 1972) Read more
• 2012 — J. Christopher Stevens, American lawyer and diplomat, 10th United States Ambassador to Libya (born 1960) Read more
• 2011 — Christian Bakkerud, Danish racing driver (born 1984) Read more
• 2011 — Ralph Gubbins, English footballer (born 1932) Read more
• 2011 — Andy Whitfield, Welsh actor and model (born 1971) Read more
• 2010 — Harold Gould, American actor (born 1923) Read more
• 2010 — Kevin McCarthy, American actor (born 1914) Read more
• 2009 — Jim Carroll, American author, poet and musician (born 1949) Read more
• 2009 — Pierre Cossette, Canadian producer and manager (born 1923) Read more
• 2009 — Larry Gelbart, American director, producer, and screenwriter (born 1928) Read more
• 2009 — Yoshito Usui, Japanese author and illustrator (born 1958) Read more
• 2007 — Ian Porterfield, Scottish footballer and manager (born 1946) Read more
• 2007 — Jean Séguy, French sociologist and author (born 1925) Read more
• 2007 — Joe Zawinul, Austrian keyboard player and songwriter (born 1932) Read more
• 2006 — William Auld, Scottish poet and author (born 1924) Read more
• 2006 — Joachim Fest, German journalist and author (born 1926) Read more
• 2004 — Fred Ebb, American songwriter (born 1928) Read more
• 2004 — Patriarch Peter VII of Alexandria (born 1949) Read more
• 2003 — Anna Lindh, Swedish politician, 39th Minister of Foreign Affairs for Sweden (born 1957) Read more
• 2003 — John Ritter, American actor (born 1948) Read more

Holidays & observances

Battle of Tendra Day (Russia); Christian feast days: Blessed Francesco Bonifacio; Christian feast days: Blessed Bonaventura Gran; Christian feast days: Deiniol; Christian feast days: Felix, Regula, and Exuperantius; Christian feast days: Harry Burleigh (Episcopal Church); Christian feast days: John Gabriel Perboyre (one of Martyr Saints of China); Christian feast days: Leudinus (Bobo); Christian feast days: Our Lady of Coromoto; Christian feast days: Paphnutius of Thebes (Roman Catholic Church); Christian feast days: Patiens of Lyon; Christian feast days: Protus and Hyacinth; Christian feast days: Sperandia; Christian feast days: Theodora of Alexandria; Christian feast days: September 11 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics); Death Anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah (Pakistan); Emergency Number Day (United States); Enkutatash falls on this day if it is not a leap year. Celebrated on the first day of Mäskäräm. (Ethiopia, Eritrea, Rastafari); National Day (Catalonia); Nayrouz (Coptic Orthodox Church), September 12 on leap years.; September 11 attacks-related observances (United States): National Day of Service and Remembrance; September 11 attacks-related observances (United States): Patriot Day; Teachers' Day (Argentina)

More from the Almanac

Sunrise & SunsetStar TransitMoon & Planting CalendarsAncient Measures