Discover · History

On this day — September 30

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

Observed today

Public holiday

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is observed in Canada. Recognized nationally.

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2016

Disaster

Hurricane Matthew becomes a Category 5 hurricane

making it the strongest hurricane to form in the Caribbean Sea since 2007.

2016

Milestone

Two paintings with a combined value of $100 million are recovered after having been stolen from the Van Gogh Museum in 2002.

2009

Disaster

The 7.6 Mw  Sumatra earthquake leaves 1,115 people dead.

2005

Broadcasting

Controversial drawings of Muhammad are printed in a Danish newspaper.

2000

Milestone

Israeli–Palestinian conflict

Twelve-year-old Muhammad al-Durrah is shot and killed on the second day of the Second Intifada.

1999

Milestone

The Tokaimura nuclear accident causes the deaths of two technicians in Japan's second-worst nuclear accident.

1994

Milestone

Space Shuttle Endeavour is launched on STS-68.

1993

Disaster

The 6.2 Mw  Latur earthquake shakes Maharashtra

India with a maximum Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe) killing 9,748 and injuring 30,000.

1980

Milestone

Ethernet specifications are published by Xerox working with Intel and Digital Equipment Corporation.

1978

Milestone

Finnair Flight 405 is hijacked by Aarno Lamminparras in Oulu

Finland.

1975

Milestone

Malév Flight 240 crashes into the Mediterranean Sea while on approach to Beirut International Airport in Beirut, Lebanon, killing 60.

1970

Milestone

Jordan makes a deal with the PFLP for the release of the remaining hostages from the Dawson's Field hijackings.

1968

Milestone

The Boeing 747 is rolled out and shown to the public for the first time.

1966

Politics

Bechuanaland declares its independence

and becomes the Republic of Botswana.

1960

Broadcasting

Observed today

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Hurricane Matthew becomes a Category 5 hurricane

Two paintings with a combined value of $100 million are recovered after having been stolen from the Van Gogh Museum in 2002.

The 7.6 Mw Sumatra earthquake leaves 1,115 people dead.

Controversial drawings of Muhammad are printed in a Danish newspaper.

Israeli–Palestinian conflict

The Tokaimura nuclear accident causes the deaths of two technicians in Japan's second-worst nuclear accident.

Space Shuttle Endeavour is launched on STS-68.

The 6.2 Mw Latur earthquake shakes Maharashtra

Ethernet specifications are published by Xerox working with Intel and Digital Equipment Corporation.

Finnair Flight 405 is hijacked by Aarno Lamminparras in Oulu

Malév Flight 240 crashes into the Mediterranean Sea while on approach to Beirut International Airport in Beirut, Lebanon, killing 60.

Jordan makes a deal with the PFLP for the release of the remaining hostages from the Dawson's Field hijackings.

The Boeing 747 is rolled out and shown to the public for the first time.

Bechuanaland declares its independence

The Flintstones animated sitcom premieres on ABC television.

The 7.6 Mw  Sumatra earthquake leaves 1,115 people dead.

The 6.2 Mw  Latur earthquake shakes Maharashtra