Discover · History

On this day — September 1

A hand-curated thread of what happened on this date, across centuries.

2008

Politics

Iraq War: The United States Armed Forces transfers control of Anbar Province to the Iraqi Armed Forces.

2004

Milestone

The Beslan school siege begins when armed terrorists take schoolchildren and school staff hostage in North Ossetia, Russia; by the end of the siege, three days later, more than 385 people are dead (including hostages, other civilians, security personnel and terrorists).

1985

Science

The wreck of the Titanic is discovered by an American-French expedition led by Robert Ballard and Jean-Louis Michel.

1983

Politics

Cold War: Korean Air Lines Flight 007 is shot down by a Soviet jet fighter after the commercial aircraft strayed into Soviet airspace, killing all 269 on board, including Congressman Lawrence McDonald.

1982

Milestone

The United States Air Force Space Command is founded.

1981

Politics

Central African President David Dacko is ousted from power in a bloodless military coup led by General André Kolingba.

1974

Milestone

The SR-71 Blackbird sets (and holds) the record for flying from New York to London in the time of one hour

54 minutes and 56.4 seconds at a speed of 1,435.587 miles per hour (2,310.353 km/h).

1973

Milestone

A 76-hour multinational rescue effort in the Celtic Sea resulted in the Rescue of Roger Mallinson and Roger Chapman.

1969

Milestone

A coup in Libya brings Muammar Gaddafi to power.

1967

Politics

Six-Day War: The Khartoum Resolution is issued at the Arab Summit

and eight countries adopt the "three 'no's against Israel".

1961

Disaster

TWA Flight 529 crashed shortly after takeoff from Midway Airport in Chicago, killing all 78 people on board

At the time, it was the deadliest single plane disaster in U.S. history.

1944

Politics

World War II

Launch of Operation Ratweek, complicating German retreat.

1939

Politics

World War II

Germany and Slovakia invade Poland, beginning the European phase of World War II.

1939

Milestone

J. Robert Oppenheimer and his student Hartland Snyder publish the Oppenheimer–Snyder model

proving for the first time in contemporary physics how black holes could develop.

1923

Disaster

The Great Kantō earthquake devastates Tokyo and Yokohama

killing about 105,000 people.