Discover what happened on September 1 in history as Michigan institutions were born, technological records were shattered, historic discoveries were made, and unforgettable moments helped shape the world we know today.
What Happened on September 1 in History?
On this day, the school that became Ferris State University opened in Michigan, World War II began with Germany’s invasion of Poland, the SR-71 Blackbird set a transatlantic speed record, and the wreck of the Titanic was discovered.
SEPTEMBER 1 – TODAY IN HISTORY:
1796 – British forces evacuated Fort Mackinac, and Mackinac Island officially came under United States control, 13 years after the Treaty of Paris ended the Revolutionary War.
1799 – The Bank of the Manhattan Company opened in New York City. Through a long series of mergers, the institution eventually became part of JPMorgan Chase.
1878 – Emma Nutt became the first female telephone operator when she began working for the Edwin Holmes Telephone Dispatch Company in Boston, MA. She had been hired on the recommendation of Alexander Graham Bell.
1884 – Woodbridge and Helen Ferris opened the Big Rapids Industrial School in Big Rapids, MI. The school eventually became Ferris State University.
1887 – Emile Berliner filed a patent application for his gramophone, which played sound from flat discs rather than the cylinders used by Thomas Edison’s phonograph.
1897 – Boston’s Tremont Street Subway opened, becoming the first subway tunnel in North America.
1906 – Philadelphia Athletics pitcher Jack Coombs pitched all 24 innings of a game against the Boston Americans, earning a 4-1 victory.
1914 – Martha, the world’s last known passenger pigeon, died at the Cincinnati Zoo. Her death marked the extinction of a species that once numbered in the billions in North America.
1934 – MGM released its first animated short, The Discontented Canary.
1939 – Germany invaded Poland, marking the beginning of World War II in Europe. Britain and France declared war on Germany two days later.
1952 – Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea was published. The novel later won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and contributed to Hemingway receiving the Nobel Prize in Literature.
1971 – The Pittsburgh Pirates fielded the first all-Black and Latino starting lineup in Major League Baseball history. The lineup included Roberto Clemente, Willie Stargell, Al Oliver and Dock Ellis.
1972 – American Bobby Fischer defeated Soviet champion Boris Spassky in Reykjavík, Iceland, to become World Chess Champion.
1974 – An SR-71 Blackbird flew from New York to London in 1 hour, 54 minutes and 56 seconds, setting a transatlantic speed record that still stands.
1979 – NASA’s Pioneer 11 became the first spacecraft to visit Saturn, passing within about 13,000 miles of the planet’s cloud tops.
1982 – The United States Air Force established Air Force Space Command to oversee its military space operations.
1985 – A joint American-French expedition led by Robert Ballard and Jean-Louis Michel discovered the wreck of the Titanic on the floor of the North Atlantic, more than 73 years after the ship sank.
1995 – Jazz legend Louis Armstrong was honored with a U.S. postage stamp.
1995 – The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum took place in Cleveland, OH. The museum opened to the public the following day.
1998 – The blockbuster movie Titanic was released on home video in North America.
1998 – St. Louis Cardinals slugger Mark McGwire hit his 56th and 57th home runs of the season, breaking the National League single-season record. He finished the year with 70.
1998 – J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone was published in the United States, introducing American readers to the Harry Potter series.
2011 – Michigan’s new item-pricing law took effect, ending the state’s longstanding requirement that most products carry individual price stickers. Retailers could instead display prices on shelves or electronically.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS ON SEPTEMBER 1:
Alan Dershowitz – 88 years old (1938) – Lawyer and author
Lily Tomlin – 87 years old (1939) – Actress, comedian, screenwriter and producer
C. J. Cherryh – 84 years old (1942) – Author and educator
Don Stroud – 83 years old (1943) – Actor
Archie Bell – 82 years old (1944) – Soul singer-songwriter and musician
Leonard Slatkin – 82 years old (1944) – Conductor and composer
Al Green – 79 years old (1947) – Lawyer and politician
Greg Errico – 78 years old (1948) – Drummer and producer
Phil McGraw – 76 years old (1950) – Psychologist, author and talk show host
Vinnie Johnson – 70 years old (1956) – Basketball player and sportscaster
Gloria Estefan – 69 years old (1957) – Cuban-American singer-songwriter and actress
Christopher Ferguson – 65 years old (1961) – Captain, pilot and astronaut
Boney James – 65 years old (1961) – Saxophonist, composer and producer
Grant-Lee Phillips – 63 years old (1963) – Musician and actor
Tim Hardaway – 60 years old (1966) – Basketball player and coach
Padma Lakshmi – 56 years old (1970) – Indian-American actress and author
Ricardo Antonio Chavira – 55 years old (1971) – Actor
Maury Sterling – 55 years old (1971) – Actor
Rachel Zoe – 55 years old (1971) – Fashion designer
Burn Gorman – 52 years old (1974) – American-born English actor and musician
Jason Taylor – 52 years old (1974) – Football player and sportscaster
Jhonen Vasquez – 52 years old (1974) – Writer, director, cartoonist and comic illustrator
Ammon Bundy – 51 years old (1975) – Anti-government militant
Cuttino Mobley – 51 years old (1975) – Basketball player
Babydaddy – 50 years old (1976) – Singer-songwriter and producer
Arsalan Iftikhar – 49 years old (1977) – Lawyer and author
Aaron Schobel – 49 years old (1977) – Football player
Boyd Holbrook – 45 years old (1981) – Actor
Clinton Portis – 45 years old (1981) – Football player
Ryan Gomes – 44 years old (1982) – Basketball player
Zoe Lister-Jones – 44 years old (1982) – Actress and director
Joe Trohman – 42 years old (1984) – Singer-songwriter, guitarist and producer
Larsen Jensen – 41 years old (1985) – Swimmer
Miles Plumlee – 38 years old (1988) – Basketball player
Chanel West Coast – 38 years old (1988) – Rapper-songwriter and model
Zendaya – 30 years old (1996) – Actress and singer
Josh Okogie – 28 years old (1998) – Nigerian-American basketball player
Cam Reddish – 27 years old (1999) – Basketball player
DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR SEPTEMBER 1:
- Ginger Cat Appreciation Day: Though they have a reputation for being total doofuses, ginger cats are actually—wait no, that’s right. Give your ginger doofus a big hug and some cat treats.
- National Tofu Day (UK): Try a healthier, often more eco-friendly option in your meals instead of meat. Try tofu stir-fry, tofu in taco bowls, or even a sweet, moist tofu-based dessert.
- Footy Colors Day: Footy Colors Day is a vibrant event where Australians wear their favorite team's colors to show support for children battling cancer. This day brings communities together, fostering a spirit of camaraderie and collective purpose. Participants include schools, businesses, and various community groups, all joining forces to raise vital funds and...
- World Letter Writing Day: Ditch the tech and reconnect the old-fashioned way. Write a letter to a family member, old friend, your significant other, or try finding a new pen pal.
- National Little Black Dress Day: National Little Black Dress Day celebrates an iconic fashion staple that has stood the test of time. The little black dress, often called the LBD, represents elegance, simplicity, and versatility. Women across the globe wear their LBDs with pride on this day, feeling a sense of empowerment and confidence. The...
- Wattle Day: Wattle Day is a special celebration in Australia that brings a burst of golden color to welcome spring. The golden wattle, with its bright yellow blooms, is Australia's national floral emblem. This day is about more than just a flower; it symbolizes the unity and resilience of the Australian people...
- Acne Positivity Day: Pimples on the face and body can bring about a literal rash of issues that can be painful, frustrating, and even embarrassing. People who have acne can struggle with severe confidence issues, having a negative impact on the self-image. With at least 9% of people worldwide affected by acne, this...
- Building and Code Staff Appreciation Day: It might not sound glamorous, but society would literally crumble without those who make sure buildings are safe and up to code, so thank them for their work.
- National Chicken Boy Day: In Los Angeles, there's a famous 22-foot tall statue of a boy with a chicken head — an iconic landmark with an interesting history.
- Rosolio Day: This day marks a celebration of Italian craftsmanship and heritage, particularly as it relates to this flavorful liqueur that is flavored with unique fruits, herbs, spices and flowers – including raisins, cinnamon, rose petals, cloves and more. Rosolio Day is dedicated to highlighting and educating people about this delightfully subtle...
- National Cherry Popover Day: These delightful treats are light, airy, and bursting with a juicy surprise in every bite. Perfect for breakfast or brunch!
- National Emma M. Nutt Day: Pick up your phone and dial the operator, and thank them for the work they do to honor the trailblazing pioneer of female phone operators, Emma M. Nutt.
- Pink Cadillac Day: Pink Cadillac Day is a fun and colorful celebration held on September 1st every year. It's a day dedicated to the iconic pink Cadillac, symbolizing America's golden era of automobiles and pop culture. This special day gives everyone a chance to remember and appreciate the classic style and significance of...
- American Chess Day: American Chess Day, celebrated on September 1st each year, is a special occasion for chess fans across the United States. It marks a day of recognition for chess, highlighting its significance and appeal as a beloved board game that has captured the imagination of people worldwide for centuries. This day...
- National Child Identity Theft Awareness Day: Imagine a child’s identity being stolen before they even learn to write their name. National Child Identity Theft Awareness Day brings attention to this unsettling reality. Children often have untouched credit records, making them attractive targets for identity thieves. These criminals can misuse a child’s personal information for years without detection...
- National No Rhyme (nor Reason) Day: Some words just don’t play along. “Month,” “purple,” and “pint” stand apart, refusing to rhyme like the others do. National No Rhyme (Nor Reason) Day puts these oddballs in the spotlight. It’s a fun way to explore the quirks of language that usually go unnoticed. These words don’t fit the...
- Cap Classique Day: Cap Classique Day highlights South Africa’s traditional-method sparkling wine. Winemakers use the same technique as Champagne, creating crisp bubbles through bottle fermentation. This isn’t just any fizz. It comes with layers of fruit, toast, and bright acidity. Wineries across the country release special blends and mark the occasion with tastings...
- National Burnt Ends Day: Imagine savoring the rich, smoky flavor of barbecue's crown jewel: burnt ends. These delectable morsels, carved from the point end of a beef brisket, boast a caramelized crust that barbecue enthusiasts adore. National Burnt Ends Day honors this Kansas City delicacy, bringing together food lovers nationwide to celebrate its unique taste. This...
- National Hotel Employee Day: National Hotel Employee Day celebrates the people who keep hotels running smoothly every single day. From early morning check-ins to late-night room service, these workers handle countless details with care and focus. They greet tired travelers with a smile, tidy rooms with precision, and solve problems before guests even notice...
- Crayfish Party: Crayfish Party is a lively and festive occasion celebrated with friends and family. This event marks the end of summer, bringing people together for a joyful feast. Tables are often set with bright decorations, and the air is filled with laughter. The menu features cooked and seasoned crayfish. The atmosphere...
- 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...
- National Childhood Injury Prevention Week: Kids run, jump, explore, and push limits every day. That curiosity brings joy, but also risk. National Childhood Injury Prevention Week speaks to that very balance. It’s a reminder that while we can’t stop every scraped knee, we can prevent many serious injuries. It’s about everyday choices—like buckling a car seat...
- Navasard: Navasard is the ancient Armenian New Year, a celebration that once united communities in festivities and tribute to their gods. Marking the start of a new cycle, it was a time when people believed divine forces came down to the Earth. With music, dance, and communal feasts, it reflected a...
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