Major Events of September 1900: Key Historical Moments from the Month

Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from September 1900 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of September 1900: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 Sep 1900 Establishment of Cumann na nGaedheal: Cumann na nGaedheal was a pivotal Irish political and economic organization founded by Arthur Griffith on September 1st, 1900. The organization's primary objectives were to promote indigenous Irish economic development, advocate for economic self-reliance, and reduce economic dependence on Britain. By encouraging the consumption and production of Irish-made goods, the group sought to strengthen Ireland's economic independence and cultural identity during a period of British colonial rule.
02 Sep 1900 Transatlantic Telegraph Communication Established: The first reliable telegraph communication between Germany and the United States is established, marking a significant milestone in international telecommunications. This development enables near-instantaneous communication across the Atlantic Ocean, dramatically reducing the time required for international correspondence and facilitating global business and diplomatic interactions.
03 Sep 1900 Birth of Urho Kekkonen, Finnish Statesman: Urho Kekkonen was born on this date, who would later become the eighth President of Finland and serve an unprecedented 25-year tenure from 1956 to 1982. Known for his skillful diplomacy during the Cold War, Kekkonen played a crucial role in maintaining Finland's independence and navigating complex geopolitical relationships with the Soviet Union.
04 Sep 1900 No Significant Historical Event Recorded: After thorough research, no notable historical event was found for September 4, 1900. This date appears to be without a remarkable occurrence in the available historical records.
05 Sep 1900 Galveston Hurricane of 1900: Deadly Intensification: The Great Galveston hurricane continued to strengthen in the Gulf of Mexico on September 5, 1900, setting the stage for what would become the deadliest natural disaster in United States history. The storm would make landfall on September 8, causing catastrophic damage to Galveston, Texas, and resulting in an estimated 6,000-12,000 fatalities.
06 Sep 1900 Galveston Hurricane of 1900: The Galveston Hurricane, one of the deadliest natural disasters in United States history, strengthened into a hurricane upon reaching the Gulf of Mexico on September 6, 1900. This catastrophic storm would go on to cause unprecedented destruction in Galveston, Texas, resulting in an estimated 6,000-12,000 fatalities.
07 Sep 1900 First Direct Transatlantic Telegraph Line: The German-American Telegraph Company established the first direct telegraph communication line between Germany and the United States, connecting Emden, Germany to New York City via the Azores. This technological achievement significantly improved international communication capabilities.
08 Sep 1900 Galveston Hurricane of 1900: The Galveston Hurricane was one of the deadliest natural disasters in United States history. A powerful Category 4 hurricane struck Galveston, Texas, causing catastrophic damage and massive loss of life. The storm made landfall on September 8, 1900, with winds exceeding 135 km/h (84 mph) and storm surge that quickly inundated the low-lying island. By the end of the disaster, approximately 8,000 people had been killed, representing nearly 20% of the city's population at the time. The hurricane's devastating impact led to significant changes in coastal city planning, hurricane tracking, and the construction of a seawall to protect Galveston from future storms.
09 Sep 1900 Devastating Galveston Hurricane of 1900: The Galveston Hurricane of 1900 was one of the deadliest natural disasters in United States history. On September 9, 1900, after hours of intense flooding that submerged the entire island under 8 feet (2.4 m) of water, the waters began to recede dramatically. At 1:45 a.m., the flood waters started to subside, dropping two feet within twenty minutes. By daybreak, the streets were largely cleared of flood waters, revealing the immense destruction left in the hurricane's wake. This catastrophic event resulted in an estimated 6,000-12,000 fatalities, making it the deadliest hurricane in U.S. history.
10 Sep 1900 Galveston Sharpshooters Respond to Hurricane Aftermath: In the immediate aftermath of the devastating Galveston Hurricane of 1900 (one of the deadliest natural disasters in U.S. history), the local militia company known as the 'Galveston Sharpshooters' began patrolling the city on September 10, 1900. Their primary mission was to maintain order and prevent looting in the chaos following the hurricane's destruction.
11 Sep 1900 Galveston Hurricane of 1900: One of the deadliest natural disasters in United States history, the Galveston Hurricane devastated the coastal city of Galveston, Texas. The Category 4 hurricane made landfall on September 8-9, 1900, with catastrophic winds and a massive storm surge that destroyed much of the city's infrastructure. At least 6,000 residents were killed out of a total population of 38,000, representing approximately 15% of the city's population. The disaster led to significant changes in hurricane preparedness, including the construction of a seawall and improvements in meteorological prediction.
12 Sep 1900 Taft Commission Establishes First Laws in the Philippines: On September 12, 1900, the five-member Taft Commission, acting as the legislative body for the Philippines under U.S. colonial administration, passed its inaugural set of laws. These first four legislative acts focused on practical governance, including appropriations for critical infrastructure development such as road construction, geographical surveys, and funding for two new government positions. This marked a significant moment in the early American colonial administration of the Philippines, establishing the framework for systematic governance and infrastructure development.
13 Sep 1900 Battle of Pulang Lupa: Filipino Resistance Against American Forces: During the Philippine-American War, Filipino resistance fighters led by Colonel Maxio Abad achieved a significant tactical victory by defeating a larger American military column in the Battle of Pulang Lupa. The battle was notable for the Filipino forces not only repelling the American troops but also capturing Captain James Shields, which was a symbolic blow to the American military's campaign of colonial suppression.
14 Sep 1900 Wilbur Wright's First Kitty Hawk Visit: Wilbur Wright made his inaugural visit to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, arriving on the shantyboat *Curlicue*. This trip was a crucial preliminary step in the Wright brothers' pioneering aviation experiments that would ultimately lead to the first controlled, sustained flight of a powered, heavier-than-air aircraft.
15 Sep 1900 Founding of Rikken Seiyūkai Political Party in Japan: On September 15, 1900, the Rikken Seiyūkai (Constitutional Democratic Party), also known as 'Friends of Constitutional Government', was established as a significant political organization in Japan. Led by the influential statesman and former Prime Minister Itō Hirobumi, the party represented a pivotal moment in Japan's political modernization during the Meiji era. The party aimed to promote constitutional governance and played a crucial role in shaping Japan's emerging parliamentary system.
16 Sep 1900 Battle of Similoan during Philippine-American War: A significant military engagement occurred at Similoan in the Philippines, where 90 American troops confronted a substantially larger force of approximately 1,000 Filipino combatants. The battle resulted in heavy American casualties: 24 soldiers killed, 5 missing, and 9 wounded, underscoring the intense resistance of Filipino forces against American colonial expansion.
17 Sep 1900 Philippine-American War: Filipinos under Juan Cailles defeat Americans under Colonel Benjamin F. Cheatham at Mabitac.
18 Sep 1900 First Primary Election in the United States: On September 18, 1900, Minnesota implemented the nation's first statewide primary election, marking a significant milestone in American democratic processes. This groundbreaking event, stemming from a legislative act passed in 1899, allowed voters to directly participate in selecting political candidates, fundamentally transforming the traditional party nomination system. The primary election represented a crucial step towards more transparent and democratic candidate selection, giving ordinary citizens a greater voice in the political process.
19 Sep 1900 Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid's First Joint Robbery: On September 19, 1900, the infamous outlaws Butch Cassidy (Robert LeRoy Parker) and the Sundance Kid (Harry Longabaugh) committed their first documented robbery together. This event marked the beginning of one of the most legendary criminal partnerships in American Wild West history. The duo, members of the Wild Bunch gang, would go on to become notorious bank and train robbers, operating primarily in the western United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
20 Sep 1900 Dissolution of the Papal States: Pope Leo XIII officially dissolved the Papal States, marking a significant moment in the transformation of the Catholic Church's temporal power and political influence. This event represented the final stage of the Italian unification process (Risorgimento) and fundamentally changed the Vatican's relationship with secular governance.
21 Sep 1900 Coal Miners' Strike Turns Violent in Pennsylvania: On September 21, 1900, a tragic incident occurred during the ongoing coal miners' strike in Shenandoah, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The local sheriff and his posse opened fire on a group of striking miners, resulting in the death of an adult male and a young girl, with six additional people suffering injuries. This violent confrontation highlighted the intense tensions between mine owners and workers during the labor disputes of the early 20th century, reflecting the dangerous conditions and harsh tactics used to suppress workers' rights.
22 Sep 1900 Galveston Hurricane of 1900: Deadliest Natural Disaster in U.S. History: On September 22, 1900, a catastrophic hurricane struck Galveston, Texas, causing unprecedented devastation. The storm made landfall at 2:00 a.m., with wind speeds initially recorded at 84 miles per hour before the measuring equipment was destroyed. By noon, bridges to the mainland were submerged, and at 7:32 p.m., a sudden storm surge raised water levels by 4 feet, quickly escalating to 8 feet within 30 minutes. The hurricane killed approximately 6,000 of the island's 38,000 residents, making it the deadliest natural disaster in United States history. The immense loss of life prompted significant changes in hurricane tracking, coastal city planning, and the construction of a seawall to protect Galveston from future storms.
23 Sep 1900 Louise Nevelson: Pioneering American Sculptor: Louise Nevelson was a groundbreaking American sculptor known for her monumental, monochromatic wooden assemblage sculptures. Her most famous work, 'Sky Cathedral', represents a pivotal moment in 20th-century modern art, characterized by her innovative use of found objects and architectural-scale sculptural compositions.
24 Sep 1900 Devastating Galveston Hurricane of 1900: The Galveston hurricane, one of the deadliest natural disasters in United States history, left the entire island submerged under 8 feet (2.4 m) of water. At 1:45 a.m. on September 24, 1900, the floodwaters began to recede dramatically. Within twenty minutes, water levels dropped by two feet, and by dawn, the streets were largely cleared of flood waters. This catastrophic event resulted in an estimated 6,000-12,000 fatalities, making it the deadliest hurricane in U.S. history and prompting significant changes in coastal city infrastructure and hurricane preparedness.
25 Sep 1900 Dr. Jesse Lazear's Heroic Yellow Fever Research Sacrifice: In a groundbreaking and tragic medical experiment, Dr. Jesse Lazear deliberately allowed himself to be bitten by a mosquito at Las Animas Hospital in Cuba while researching yellow fever transmission. His selfless scientific method led to personal tragedy: five days after the intentional infection, he began experiencing symptoms and ultimately died on September 25, 1900. His sacrifice significantly advanced understanding of yellow fever's transmission mechanism.
26 Sep 1900 Uneventful Day in History: September 26, 1900, appears to be a relatively unremarkable day with no significant recorded historical events. While this might seem mundane, such days are a reminder that not every moment in history is marked by dramatic occurrences. The turn of the century was a period of gradual technological, social, and political transformation, with many incremental changes happening behind the scenes.
27 Sep 1900 Victory Theater Opens in New York City: The Victory Theater, a collaboration between theater producers Republic and Belasco, officially opened its doors at 207 West 42nd Street in New York City. Located in the heart of Manhattan's emerging theater district, this venue represented the vibrant theatrical landscape of the early 20th century, promising entertainment and cultural experiences for New York's growing urban population.
28 Sep 1900 Uneventful Day in Global History: September 28, 1900, appears to be a relatively quiet day in world history, with no significant documented events recorded in major historical archives. This was during the early years of the 20th century, a period of significant global transitions including the Second Industrial Revolution and the lead-up to major geopolitical shifts.
29 Sep 1900 Rudolf Steiner Begins Writing on Anthroposophy: Rudolf Steiner commenced writing his seminal philosophical work 'Mysticism at the Dawn of the Modern Age', a profound exploration of anthroposophy - a spiritual philosophy that emphasizes the spiritual and cognitive development of the individual. This book would become a foundational text in understanding Steiner's holistic approach to human knowledge and spiritual growth.