Discover what happened on September 23 in history as remarkable discoveries expanded our understanding of the universe, new traditions began, technological breakthroughs changed everyday life, and unforgettable moments helped shape the world we know today.
What Happened on September 23 in History?
On this day, Lewis and Clark returned to St. Louis, Neptune was discovered, the Detroit Lions played their first game, and NASA lost the Mars Climate Orbiter because of a measurement-unit error.
SEPTEMBER 23 – TODAY IN HISTORY:
1806 – Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery returned to St. Louis after their expedition to the Pacific Coast. The explorers had been gone for more than two years and were greeted by cheering crowds as they entered the city.
1845 – The Knickerbocker Base Ball Club of New York adopted a set of written rules that helped shape the development of modern baseball. The club became one of the most influential early organized baseball teams.
1846 – Astronomer Johann Gottfried Galle identified the planet Neptune at the Berlin Observatory, near the position mathematically predicted by Urbain Le Verrier based on irregularities in the orbit of Uranus.
1875 – Billy the Kid, then known as Henry McCarty, was arrested for the first time after becoming involved in the theft of clothing from a Chinese laundry. He escaped from jail and later became one of the American West’s most notorious outlaws.
1889 – Nintendo traces its origins to 1889, when Fusajiro Yamauchi began manufacturing and selling traditional Japanese Hanafuda playing cards in Kyoto, Japan.
1911 – Pilot Earle Ovington made the first official U.S. airmail flight authorized by the Post Office Department, carrying mail aboard his airplane Dragonfly over Long Island, NY.
1930 – FJohannes Ostermeier received a U.S. patent for an improved photographic flash lamp, an important step in the development of the disposable flashbulb.
1934 – The newly renamed Detroit Lions played their first regular-season game after relocating from Portsmouth, OH, defeating the New York Giants 9–0 in Detroit.
1962 – Hanna-Barbera’s futuristic animated sitcom The Jetsons premiered on ABC. It was the first program broadcast in color by the network.
1969 – Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford, had its world premiere in New Haven, CT. The film was loosely based on the exploits of the real Western outlaws.
1992 – Mad About You, starring Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt as married New Yorkers Paul and Jamie Buchman, premiered on NBC.
1994 – The Shawshank Redemption, starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman and based on a Stephen King novella, opened in theaters.
1999 – NASA lost contact with the Mars Climate Orbiter as it attempted to enter orbit around Mars. Investigators later determined that a mix-up between English and metric units caused a navigation error that sent the spacecraft too deep into the Martian atmosphere, destroying it.
2002 – Phoenix 0.1, the first public version of the web browser that would eventually become Mozilla Firefox, was released.
2009 – Modern Family premiered on ABC, beginning an 11-season run.
2019 – Limited-edition SPAM Pumpkin Spice went on sale online in two-can packs for $8.98. The unlikely combination proved surprisingly popular and sold out in less than seven hours.
2020 – A Kentucky grand jury indicted former Louisville police officer Brett Hankison on wanton-endangerment charges related to shots fired into a neighboring apartment during the police raid in which Breonna Taylor was killed. No state charges were brought against officers for Taylor’s death, prompting renewed protests.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS ON SEPTEMBER 23:
Sonny Vaccaro – 87 years old (1939) – Businessman
Sila María Calderón – 84 years old (1942) – Puerto Rican-American businesswoman and politician, 12th Secretary of State of Puerto Rico
Paul Petersen – 81 years old (1945) – Actor, singer, author, and activist
Mary Kay Place – 79 years old (1947) – Actress
Neal Smith – 79 years old (1947) – Drummer and songwriter
Bruce Springsteen – 77 years old (1949) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist
George Garzone – 76 years old (1950) – Saxophonist and educator
Mark Bego – 74 years old (1952) – Author
Dennis Lamp – 74 years old (1952) – Baseball player
Jim Morrison – 74 years old (1952) – Baseball player and manager
Rosalind Chao – 69 years old (1957) – Actress
Tony Fossas – 68 years old (1958) – Cuban-American baseball player and coach
Marvin Lewis – 68 years old (1958) – Football player and coach
Larry Mize – 68 years old (1958) – Golfer
Jason Alexander – 67 years old (1959) – Actor, singer, and voice artist
Kurt Beyer – 66 years old (1960) – Wrestler
Chi McBride – 65 years old (1961) – Actor
Larry Krystkowiak – 62 years old (1964) – Basketball player and coach
Bill Phillips – 62 years old (1964) – Businessman and author
Pete Harnisch – 60 years old (1966) – Baseball player and coach
LisaRaye McCoy – 59 years old (1967) – Actress, model, fashion designer, and First Lady of the Turks and Caicos Islands
Lucia Cifarelli – 56 years old (1970) – Singer-songwriter and keyboard player
Ani DiFranco – 56 years old (1970) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist
Sean Spicer – 55 years old (1971) – Political aide, 30th White House Press Secretary
Jermaine Dupri – 54 years old (1972) – Rapper and producer
Matt Hardy – 52 years old (1974) – Wrestler
Layzie Bone – 52 years old (1974) – Rapper
Kip Pardue – 50 years old (1976) – Actor and model
Rachael Yamagata – 49 years old (1977) – Singer-songwriter and pianist
Anthony Mackie – 48 years old (1978) – Actor
Ricky Davis – 47 years old (1979) – Basketball player
Bryant McKinnie – 47 years old (1979) – Football player
Matt Kemp – 42 years old (1984) – Baseball player
Anneliese van der Pol – 42 years old (1984) – Dutch-American entertainer
Joba Chamberlain – 41 years old (1985) – Baseball player
Chris Johnson – 41 years old (1985) – Football player
Hasan Minhaj – 41 years old (1985) – Comedian, actor, and television host
Chris Volstad – 40 years old (1986) – Baseball player
Skylar Astin – 39 years old (1987) – Actor and singer
Brandon Jennings – 37 years old (1989) – Basketball player
Melanie Oudin – 35 years old (1991) – Tennis player
Napheesa Collier – 30 years old (1996) – Basketball player
John Collins – 29 years old (1997) – Basketball player
DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR SEPTEMBER 23:
- Za’atar Day: Make your own blend of the za’atar herb (a type of thyme) and other spices and enjoy some za’atar-based foods and new cuisines with friends or family.
- International Day of Sign Languages: It's the expressive art of communicating through movement and gesture, a language that can be felt and seen by all.
- Celebrate Bisexuality Day: Fly a bisexual flag, join a parade or event, help educate others, be yourself and most importantly be supportive of any bi people in your life.
- National Apple Cider Vinegar Day: National Apple Cider Vinegar Day celebrates this versatile liquid that many people swear by for its health and household uses. Apple cider vinegar, made from fermented apples, is more than just a kitchen staple. Its sharp tang enhances flavors in everything from salad dressings to marinades, and it’s even a...
- National Snack Stick Day: Satisfy cravings with artisanal delights, marrying the rich essence of cured meats in compact, flavorful snack indulgences.
- International Week of Deaf People: Promoting understanding and inclusion enhances communication, fosters empathy, and empowers those with hearing loss in our communities.
- Restless Legs Awareness Day: Learn and help raise awareness about Restless Leg Syndrome, a neurological disorder that affects the sleep and comfort of many, from minor to life-altering.
- Education Technology Day: Make use of education technology by enrolling in an online class, playing an educational game, and learning more about the technology that helps the world learn.
- Innergize Day: Innergize Day is all about pressing pause. Not because things are falling apart, but because sometimes we just need a moment. It’s a quiet reminder that we’re more than our to-do lists. You don’t have to do anything fancy. Just step back, breathe a little deeper, and let yourself enjoy...
- Go With Your Gut Day: Go With Your Gut Day throws a spotlight on one of life’s most powerful forces—instinct. You know that feeling deep inside, the one that speaks before your brain catches up? That’s your gut talking. This day challenges you to stop overthinking and start trusting that inner signal. From big life...
- National AFM Day: National AFM Day shines a light on Acute Flaccid Myelitis, a rare condition that strikes the spinal cord. It often begins with a simple cold but can quickly lead to sudden muscle weakness. Children are most affected, with many experiencing rapid loss of movement in their arms or legs. In...
- Fairtrade Fortnight: Supporting Fairtrade, means contributing to a more sustainable and equitable global market. Plus, you get to enjoy some delicious products!
- National Field Marketer’s Day: National Field Marketer’s Day celebrates the essential role of field marketers in bridging the gap between companies and their potential customers. These professionals, often unsung heroes in the marketing world, work directly in the field, engaging with consumers, promoting products, and gathering valuable feedback. They play a crucial role in driving...
- Redhead Appreciation Day: With fiery locks that ignite every room they enter, these individuals add a vibrant hue to life, proving that uniqueness is captivating.
- Small Pet Rodent Awareness Week : Embracing a tiny companion, discover joy in caring for a pocket-sized friend, adding warmth to daily life.
- National Checkers Day: Nixon used his dog Checkers to bolster his public image amidst accusations of donation scandal. But maybe it’s better to celebrate with a simple game of checkers.
- National Great American Pot Pie Day: National Great American Pot Pie Day brings warmth and a tasty tradition to tables across the country every September 23rd. It's a day when everyone can indulge in the savory delight of pot pies. This dish has roots deep in history, going back to Neolithic times. Celebrated for its comforting...
- First Day of Autumn: Many would agree that there’s something magical when the summer is slowly fading away, and the autumn is setting in. The air is getting crisper, and the leaves are starting to paint the landscape in vibrant hues of red, yellow, and orange. This change, perhaps, is the most prominent on...
- Fall Equinox: As nature transitions, daylight and darkness find balance, marking a moment of cosmic equilibrium and changing landscapes with vibrant hues.
- Teal Talk Day: Teal Talk Day sparks open conversations about ovarian cancer. It invites people to speak up, ask questions, and share knowledge. The goal is simple: help more people spot the signs early. Many symptoms seem minor at first—like bloating or feeling full fast—but they could point to something serious. This day turns...
- Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week: Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week helps us imagine a new world. Picture a space where every car trip is a safe adventure - even for the tiniest tots. This is the vision that brought Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week to life. The week-long pivotal campaign raises a sad reality. We...
- National Eye Health Week: National Eye Health Week is a special event held annually to spotlight the significance of looking after our eyes. This week encourages everyone to focus on their eye health and understand the importance of regular eye checks. This observance aims to educate people about eye health and promote actions to safeguard...
- Sea Otter Awareness Week: Sea otters play a crucial role in maintaining the health of marine ecosystems. It is so significant that a whole week, Sea Otter Awareness Week, is dedicated to celebrating and raising awareness about them. The week is packed with activities, from educational events and live streams to adoption drives and donation...
- Rtveli: Rtveli is a vibrant grape harvest festival celebrated across Georgia. It is a joyful blend of hard work and celebration. It's a time when people unite to collect the fruits of their labor and honor the cultural heritage of winemaking that has been cherished for generations. The festival extends beyond...
- Fiesta de San Pacho: Fiesta de San Pacho is a vibrant celebration that fills the streets of Quibdó with music, dance, and color. The festival honors Saint Francis of Assisi, blending Catholic traditions with Afro-Colombian culture uniquely and joyfully. As the day unfolds, the city becomes a stage where people showcase their rich heritage...
- National Older Workers Employment Week: National Older Workers Employment Week shines a spotlight on the contributions of Americans aged 55 and up who continue to make a difference in the workplace. Held annually during the last full week of September, this event calls attention to the unique skills and strengths these experienced employees bring. Many older...
- Hispanic Heritage Month: Join an event, forum, or exhibition for Hispanic Heritage Month, and appreciate the art, history, and cultural offerings of this rich and expansive heritage.
- National Indoor Plant Week : Plants have the power to bring green from the outside in, livening up almost any space and supporting a better connection between humans and nature. Enjoy and appreciate the beauty and wide variety of houseplants that can be found during National Indoor Plant Week and throughout the year! History of National...
- National Coding Week: National Coding Week is a time to celebrate and explore the world of coding. It brings people of all ages together to discover the creative and problem-solving power of programming. The week focuses on the skills needed in today’s digital world. It's an opportunity to unlock potential and encourage everyone...
- National Surgical Technologists Week: National Surgical Technologists Week spotlights a vital but often overlooked part of the medical team: surgical technologists, who work behind the scenes to ensure every procedure runs smoothly. Their tasks range from preparing the operating room to sterilizing instruments and even assisting during surgery. The week celebrates their essential role...
- Thinking of You Week: Surprising a loved one with heartfelt words in the mail can uplift spirits and remind them they're cherished beyond measure.
- World Reflexology Week: Highlighting the benefits of this holistic therapy promotes understanding of its role in enhancing well-being and relaxation.
- Farm Animal Awareness Week: Farm Animal Awareness Week highlights the importance of recognizing the lives of animals that provide food for us. This week aims to educate the public about the conditions these animals face and to promote better treatment. Many animals are kept in cramped, unsanitary spaces, which can lead to health problems...
- National Construction Appreciation Week : While construction workers have sometimes gotten a bad rap for being a bit rough around the edges, this is the industry that builds the nation's cities and towns from the ground up. With a whopping 8 million employees in the construction industry throughout the United States, this is a sector...
- Deaf Dog Awareness Week : Some estimates show that approximately 35,000 deaf dogs are living in the United States who were born deaf in both ears and more than 100,000 are deaf in just one ear. Many more will have become deaf throughout their lifetimes because of various circumstances. Deaf Dog Awareness Week is an...
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