Major Events of September 1904: 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 1904 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of September 1904: Key Historical Moments from the Month
- 01 Sep 1904 Stuyvesant High School Established: Stuyvesant High School opens in New York City as Manhattan's pioneering manual trade school for boys, marking a significant moment in vocational education. The school would later evolve into one of the most prestigious specialized high schools in the United States, known for its rigorous academic programs in science, technology, and mathematics.
- 02 Sep 1904 Birth of Set Svanholm, Swedish Opera Tenor: Set Svanholm was born on September 2, 1904, in Västerås, Sweden. He became a renowned opera tenor who performed extensively at London's Covent Garden between 1948 and 1957, establishing himself as a significant figure in the classical music world of the mid-20th century.
- 03 Sep 1904 1904 St. Louis Olympic Games Conclude: The 1904 Summer Olympics, held in St. Louis, Missouri, officially came to a close. These games were notable for being the first Olympics hosted in the United States and were part of the World's Fair, marking a significant moment in international sporting history.
- 04 Sep 1904 British-Tibetan Trade Treaty: The Dalai Lama signed a treaty with British representatives, permitting British commercial activities in Tibet, marking a significant moment in colonial-era diplomatic relations between Tibet and the British Empire.
- 06 Sep 1904 Birth of Maxie Rosenbloom, Notable American Boxer: Maxie Rosenbloom, a prominent American boxer known as 'Slapsie Maxie', was born on this date. He would go on to become a successful light heavyweight boxer, known for his unique fighting style and later transition into acting. Rosenbloom had a distinguished boxing career and lived until 1976.
- 07 Sep 1904 Anglo-Tibetan Treaty Signed in British Expedition to Tibet: On September 7, 1904, the Dalai Lama signed the Anglo-Tibetan Treaty with British Colonel Francis Younghusband following the British expedition to Tibet. This significant diplomatic agreement compelled Tibet to open its borders with British India, permit free travel for British and Indian traders, waive customs duties, and restrict diplomatic relations with foreign powers without British approval.
- 09 Sep 1904 First Mounted Police in New York City: On September 9, 1904, New York City officially introduced mounted police units to its law enforcement strategy. These mounted officers represented a significant advancement in urban policing, providing greater mobility and visibility for law enforcement in the city's streets.
- 10 Sep 1904 Ellis Island Museum Reopening: Ellis Island, a historic immigration gateway to the United States, reopens as a museum, preserving and commemorating the rich immigration history of the nation. The museum provides visitors with insights into the experiences of millions of immigrants who entered the United States through this iconic location between 1892 and 1954.
- 11 Sep 1904 Uneventful Day in 1904: September 11, 1904, appears to be a relatively unremarkable day in history. While no significant global or local events were documented for this specific date, it represents a moment in the early 20th century during the Theodore Roosevelt presidency in the United States and the Russo-Japanese War period.
- 12 Sep 1904 Uneventful Day in 1904: While no significant historical events were documented for September 12, 1904, this does not necessarily mean nothing of importance occurred. Many days in history pass without major recorded incidents, yet they remain part of the broader historical tapestry.
- 13 Sep 1904 Birth of Alberta Williams King: Alberta Williams King, a significant figure in the civil rights movement and mother of the renowned civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., was born in Atlanta, Georgia. As the matriarch of one of the most influential families in the American civil rights struggle, her life and influence would profoundly shape the social justice landscape of mid-20th century America.
- 14 Sep 1904 Birth of Frank Amyot, Canadian Olympic Canoeist: Frank Amyot was a prominent Canadian sprint canoeist who made significant contributions to Canadian sports history. Born on September 14, 1904, he would go on to become an accomplished athlete, representing Canada in international competitions during the early to mid-20th century. Amyot was known for his exceptional skills in sprint canoeing and helped elevate the sport's profile in Canada.
- 15 Sep 1904 Wright Brothers' First Airplane Flight: On September 15, 1904, Wilbur Wright successfully conducted an early experimental flight, marking a significant milestone in aviation history. This flight was part of the Wright brothers' systematic development of powered, controlled aircraft at their workshop near Dayton, Ohio. Using their custom-built Wright Flyer II, Wilbur demonstrated increasing mastery of controlled flight, building upon their groundbreaking first powered flight at Kitty Hawk in 1903.
- 18 Sep 1904 First Automobile Crossing of Canadian Rockies: A pioneering automotive journey marked the first successful crossing of the challenging Canadian Rocky Mountain terrain by automobile, demonstrating the emerging technological capabilities of early 20th-century transportation.
- 19 Sep 1904 Russo-Japanese War: Battle of Port Arthur: During the Russo-Japanese War, General Nogi led a significant Japanese assault on Port Arthur (Lüshunkou), resulting in a devastating 16,000 Japanese casualties. This battle was a critical moment in the conflict, demonstrating the brutal nature of siege warfare and the strategic importance of the port in Manchuria.
- 20 Sep 1904 Russo-Japanese War: Costly Assault on Port Arthur: During the Russo-Japanese War, General Nogi led a massive assault on Port Arthur that resulted in devastating casualties, with 16,000 Japanese soldiers killed or wounded. This battle was a critical moment in the conflict, highlighting the brutal nature of early 20th-century warfare and Japan's military determination.
- 21 Sep 1904 Italian General Strike of 1904: A significant labor movement organized by the Italian Socialist Party concluded after spreading across multiple regions of Italy. The general strike represented an important moment of worker solidarity and political protest, highlighting the growing power of organized labor in early 20th-century Italy.
- 22 Sep 1904 Birth of Joseph Valachi, Mafia Informant: Joseph Valachi was born on September 22, 1904, in East Harlem, New York. He would later become a significant figure in American organized crime history, most notably for being the first major Mafia member to publicly acknowledge the existence of the Cosa Nostra criminal organization. In 1963, Valachi became an FBI informant and provided unprecedented insights into the inner workings of the Mafia, dramatically changing law enforcement's understanding of organized crime in the United States.
- 23 Sep 1904 British Expedition to Tibet: Francis Younghusband leads a British military expedition into Lhasa, Tibet, marking a significant moment in the colonial interactions between British India and Tibet. The expedition was part of the British Empire's strategic efforts to counter Russian influence in Central Asia and establish diplomatic and trade relations with Tibet.
- 24 Sep 1904 Death of Niels Ryberg Finsen: Niels Ryberg Finsen, a pioneering Danish physician and scientist renowned for his groundbreaking work in phototherapy and treatment of diseases like lupus vulgaris, passed away at the young age of 43. Finsen was a Nobel Prize laureate who made significant contributions to medical science in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
- 25 Sep 1904 Anglo-Tibetan Treaty Signed: The Dalai Lama signs the Anglo-Tibetan Treaty with British Colonel Francis Younghusband, marking a significant moment in British-Tibetan diplomatic relations during the British expedition to Tibet.
- 26 Sep 1904 Pelorus Jack: First Marine Animal Protected by Law: New Zealand makes history by individually protecting the Pelorus Jack dolphin through a specific Order in Council under the Sea Fisheries Act, marking an early milestone in marine conservation.
- 27 Sep 1904 Uneventful Day in 1904: While no specific significant historical events were documented for September 27, 1904, this date falls during the early 20th century, a period of significant global transformation. The year 1904 was marked by technological advancements, colonial expansions, and emerging geopolitical tensions. The Russo-Japanese War was ongoing, and the world was experiencing rapid industrialization and social changes.
- 28 Sep 1904 Woman Arrested for Public Smoking in New York City: On September 28, 1904, a woman was arrested for smoking a cigarette in a car on 5th Avenue in New York City, highlighting the strict social norms and gender expectations of the early 20th century. At the time, public smoking by women was considered highly scandalous and socially unacceptable, reflecting the conservative attitudes towards women's behavior in public spaces.
- 29 Sep 1904 Spanish-American War Monument Unveiled in Monroeville: On September 29, 1904, the first monument commemorating the Spanish-American War was dedicated in Monroeville, Ohio. This memorial honored the local soldiers who served in the 1898 conflict, marking an important moment of civic pride and remembrance for the community's military contributions.
- 30 Sep 1904 Doc White's Remarkable Pitching Streak: On September 30, 1904, White Sox left-handed pitcher Doc White achieved an extraordinary feat by pitching his 5th shutout in just 18 days. This remarkable performance demonstrated White's exceptional skill and endurance during the early 20th-century baseball era, highlighting the dominance of pitchers during this period of professional baseball.