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This Year in History

Our Selections From September

December 30, 2015
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All year, we've been highlighting historical news events—and Foreign Affairs articles about those events—as part of our "This Day in History" series. Here are our collected selections for September.

Click here to see all months.

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September 1, 1939: WWII Begins

Germany invades Poland, triggering the second World War. Read more about it in the Foreign Affairs archive. 

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September 2, 1998: First Genocide Conviction

The UN's International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda convicts Jean-Paul Akayesu, the former mayor of the Rwandan town of Taba, of genocide and crimes against humanity. Read more about it in the Foreign Affairs archive. 

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September 3, 1954: Start of the First Taiwan Strait Crisis

China's armed forces begin shelling the Taiwan-controlled islands of Quemoy. Read more about it in the Foreign Affairs archive. 

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September 4, 1970: Allende Elected President of Chile

Salvador Allende wins by a narrow margin. But he is thrown out only three years later by a coup d'état. Read more about it in the Foreign Affairs archive. 

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September 5, 1957: Batista Bombs Cuban Uprising

During the Cuban Revolution, Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista bombs the revolt in Cienfuegos. Read more about it in the Foreign Affairs archive.

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September 6, 1991: The Soviet Union Recognizes Baltic States' Independence

But it keeps its troops in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania for another three years. Read more about it in the Foreign Affairs archive.

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September 7, 1940: Germany Starts Blitzkrieg

Germany begins bombing the United Kingdom for over 50 consecutive nights. Read more about it in the Foreign Affairs archive. 

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September 8, 1941: Siege of Leningrad Begins

Germany besieges Leningrad and bombs warehouses containing most of the city's limited food supply. Read more about it in the Foreign Affairs archive. 

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September 9, 1945: Second Sino-Japanese War Ends

Japan surrenders to China, ending the largest Asian war in the twentieth century. Read more about it in the Foreign Affairs archive. 

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September 10, 1946: Mother Teresa Receives Her Calling

While taking the train from Calcutta to Darjeeling, Sister Teresa Bojaxhiu claimed to have heard from God telling her to leave her convent and serve "the poorest of the poor." Read more about it in the Foreign Affairs archive. 

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September 11, 2001: The 9/11 Terrorist Attacks

Islamists terrorists strike the World Trade towers in New York and the Pentagon. Another plane crashes in Pennsylvania. Read more about it in the Foreign Affairs archive.  

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September 12, 1980: Military Coup in Turkey

Turkish Army Chief Kenan Evren leads a coup to overthrow the civilian government. Read more about it in the Foreign Affairs archive.

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September 13, 1914: Battle of Aisne Begins

During World War I, a battle is fought between Germany and France in Aisne, France. Read more about it in the Foreign Affairs archive.

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September 14, 1959: A Soviet Probe Reaches Moon

The Soviet Luna 2 rocket becomes the first man-made object to land on the lunar surface. Read more about it in the Foreign Affairs archive. 

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September 15, 2008: Lehman Brothers Files for Bankruptcy

The financial services firm files the largest Chapter 11 bankruptcy in U.S. history. Read more about it in the Foreign Affairs archive. 

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September 16, 1620: The Mayflower Sets Sail

With 102 pilgriams on board, the ship leaves Plymouth, England for the New World. Read more about it in the Foreign Affairs archive. 

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September 17, 1978: Egypt and Israel Sign Camp David Accords

Following 12 days of secret negotiations, Egyptian President Anwar El Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin sign the agreement. Read more about it in the Foreign Affairs archive.17

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September 18, 1934: The League of Nations Admits the Soviet Union

But kicks it out five years later. The USSR was the only nation expelled from the league. Read more about it in the Foreign Affairs archive. 

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September 19, 1955: Peron Ousted

Argentina's President Juan Peron is overthrown by rebels. Read more about it in the Foreign Affairs archive.

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September 20, 2001: A "War on Terror"

In an address to Congress and the American public, U.S. President George W. Bush declares a "War on Terror." Read more about it in the Foreign Affairs archive.

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September 21, 1993: The Russian Constitutional Crisis

Russian President Boris Yeltsin suspends parliament and invalidates the existing constitution. Read more about it in the Foreign Affairs archive. 

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September 22, 1980: Iran-Iraq War Begins

Iraq invades Iran. The conflict lasts until August 1988. Read more about it in the Foreign Affairs archive. 

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September 23, 1973: Juan Perón Returns to Power

The Justicialist Party wins 60 percent of the votes in Argentina's second general election, paving the way for Perón's return after 18 years in exile. Read more about it in the Foreign Affairs archive. 

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September 24, 1996: Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Opens for Signature

It is signed by 71 nations (eventually 183), but never enters into force. Read more about it in the Foreign Affairs archive. 

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September 25, 1959: Eisenhower and Khrushchev Begin Camp David Talks

Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev meets with President Dwight D. Eisenhower for two days to discuss the Cold War. Read more about it in the Foreign Affairs archive. 

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September 26, 1913: First Boat to Test Panama Canal Lockage System

A boat is sent through the Panama Canal to test the Gatun Locks. Read more about it in the Foreign Affairs archive.

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September 27, 1950: Liberation of Seoul

Although the U.S. Army and Marine troops had formally announced the liberation of Seoul two days earlier, it is not until this day that they wrest the capitol building from North Korean control. Read more about it in the Foreign Affairs archive.

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September 28, 1950: Indonesia Joins the UN

One year after independence, Indonesia becomes the United Nation's 60th member. Read more about it in the Foreign Affairs archive. 

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September 29, 1943: Mein Kampf Is Published in the United States

The first volume of the original edition was released in Germany on July 18, 1925. Read more about it in the Foreign Affairs archive. 

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September 30, 1938: Munich Pact Signed

To avoid imminent war, British and French prime ministers Neville Chamberlain and Edouard Daladier allow Nazi Germany to annex Sudentenland from Czechoslovakia. Read more about it in the Foreign Affairs archive. 

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