Major Events of September 1911: 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 1911 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of September 1911: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 Sep 1911 Anton Fokker Establishes Aircraft Factory: Dutch aviation pioneer Anton Fokker launched his aircraft manufacturing operations, marking the beginning of a factory that would become critically important in aviation history. Fokker's company would go on to produce numerous aircraft for Germany during World War I, significantly influencing military aviation technology.
02 Sep 1911 Albin K. Longren's Aircraft Trial: Self-taught aviation pioneer Albin K. Longren from Kansas successfully completed the first trial of his handmade aircraft, contributing to the early development of aviation technology in the United States.
03 Sep 1911 Large Anti-War Rally in Berlin: A massive demonstration of 200,000 people gathered at Treptower Park in Berlin to protest against potential military conflict, highlighting the growing anti-war sentiment in Germany during a period of increasing international tensions.
04 Sep 1911 Harriet Quimby Wins Air Race: Pioneering female aviator Harriet Quimby won her first air race at the Richmond County Fair on Staten Island, New York, receiving a prize of $1,500 and further establishing her reputation in the emerging field of aviation.
05 Sep 1911 Devastating Yangtze River Flood of 1911: In September 1911, a catastrophic flood along China's Yangtze River resulted in an estimated 200,000 fatalities. Western missionaries were instrumental in bringing global attention to this massive natural disaster, reporting the scale of destruction and human loss to the international community. The flood was one of the deadliest natural disasters in early 20th-century China, highlighting the region's vulnerability to extreme hydrological events.
06 Sep 1911 Joseph Stalin's Attempted Escape and Capture: Recently released from prison and exiled to Vologda, Joseph Stalin (then known as Josif Dzhugashvili) attempted a clandestine journey to Saint Petersburg to reconnect with the Bolshevik organization. Using forged identity papers belonging to Pyotr Chizhikov, Stalin boarded a train hoping to evade detection. However, the Okhrana secret police intercepted Chizhikov, raising an alert about Stalin's planned movement. Despite his careful planning, Stalin was captured three days later, highlighting the extensive surveillance and control mechanisms of the Russian imperial authorities during this tumultuous period.
07 Sep 1911 First U.S. Navy Aviation Unit Established: The United States Navy organized its first aviation unit, marking a significant milestone in military aviation history. Lt. Theodore Gordon Ellyson was appointed as the commanding officer, signaling the Navy's commitment to developing aerial capabilities.
08 Sep 1911 Roald Amundsen's Antarctic Expedition Camp Temperature: On September 8, 1911, Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen and his expedition team endured extremely cold conditions at their Framheim base camp in Antarctica. The temperature rose to a harsh -7.6°F (-22°C), with Amundsen, seven team members, and 86 sled dogs braving the unforgiving polar environment. This moment was part of Amundsen's preparations for his historic South Pole expedition, which would ultimately succeed in December 1911, making him the first person to reach the geographic South Pole.
09 Sep 1911 First British Airmail Service Established: The British Post Office launched its inaugural airmail service, marking a significant milestone in postal and aviation history. This pioneering service connected Hendon and Windsor, demonstrating the emerging potential of aerial transportation for communication.
10 Sep 1911 First Military Aircraft Deployment in Warfare: During the Italo-Turkish War, Italian military aviators made history by utilizing aircraft as an offensive weapon for the first time. In a significant military innovation, Italian planes conducted reconnaissance and bombing missions against Ottoman Turkish forces. This conflict ultimately resulted in Italy's victory and the annexation of Libya, marking a pivotal moment in both military aviation and colonial expansion.
11 Sep 1911 Founding of Middle Tennessee State University: Middle Tennessee State University was established in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, initially named Middle Tennessee Normal School. This institution was created to provide teacher training and education for the region, marking an important milestone in the state's educational development.
12 Sep 1911 Japan Withdraws from Port Arthur Naval Base: Japan officially abandoned its strategic naval station at Port Arthur (Lüshunkou) in Manchuria, marking a significant shift in its regional military positioning following the Russo-Japanese War. This withdrawal represented a notable geopolitical recalibration in Northeast Asia's complex territorial dynamics.
13 Sep 1911 Tsar Nicholas II Commemorates Alexander II's Serf Liberation: On September 13, 1911, Tsar Nicholas II traveled to Kiev to participate in a significant ceremonial event marking the centenary of the emancipation of Russian serfs. The ceremony centered around the unveiling of a statue honoring Tsar Alexander II, who had issued the landmark Emancipation Manifesto in 1861. Accompanying the Tsar was Prime Minister Pyotr Stolypin, a key political figure who had been serving in his role since 1906. This event symbolized the historical significance of the serf liberation and the ongoing legacy of social reform in the Russian Empire.
14 Sep 1911 Assassination of Pyotr Stolypin: Pyotr Stolypin, a prominent Russian Prime Minister known for his significant reforms and attempts to modernize the Russian Empire, was assassinated by Mordka (Dmitry) Bogrov during a public event. The assassination took place at the Kiev Opera House in the presence of Tsar Nicholas II, marking a pivotal moment in late Imperial Russian political history.
15 Sep 1911 Thomas W. Burgess Swims Across the English Channel: On September 15, 1911, Thomas W. Burgess achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the second person in history to successfully swim across the English Channel. After 15 previous unsuccessful attempts, Burgess completed the challenging swim from South Foreland to Cape Grisnez, taking 22 hours and 35 minutes. He arrived at the French coast at 9:50 a.m., breaking a 36-year gap since Matthew Webb's historic first crossing in 1875. This accomplishment was a significant milestone in long-distance open water swimming, demonstrating extraordinary endurance and determination.
16 Sep 1911 Tragic Auto Racing Accident in Syracuse: On September 16, 1911, a devastating auto racing incident occurred in Syracuse, New York, when a car driven by Lee Oldfield crashed into the spectator area, resulting in the deaths of ten race fans and serious injuries to 13 others. This tragic event highlighted the early dangers of motorsports and the limited safety measures in place during the pioneering era of automobile racing.
17 Sep 1911 First Transcontinental Airplane Flight Attempt: Calbraith Perry Rodgers embarked on a historic transcontinental airplane flight from Sheepshead Bay, New York, aiming to win the $50,000 Hearst prize for the first cross-country aerial journey. This pioneering flight represented a significant milestone in early aviation history, challenging the technological limitations of aircraft at the time.
18 Sep 1911 Assassination Attempt on Russian Premier Stolypin: At the Kiev Opera House, Russian Premier Peter Stolypin was the target of a dramatic assassination attempt, reflecting the intense political tensions and revolutionary climate in early 20th-century Imperial Russia.
19 Sep 1911 Red Tuesday: Spanish Labor Protests: On September 19, 1911, a significant labor demonstration unfolded in Spain, with approximately 20,000 workers taking to the streets to demand universal rights and better working conditions. This event, known as 'Red Tuesday', represented a pivotal moment in the Spanish labor movement, highlighting growing tensions between workers and the government.
20 Sep 1911 RMS Olympic Collides with HMS Hawke: The RMS Olympic, sister ship of the RMS Titanic, collided with the British cruiser HMS Hawke at the Solent, causing significant damage to both vessels. The incident resulted in the Olympic having to cancel its scheduled voyage and undergo extensive repairs, which subsequently delayed the completion and maiden voyage of the Titanic.
21 Sep 1911 1911 Canadian Federal Election: The 1911 Canadian federal election was a pivotal moment in Canadian political history, held on September 21, 1911, to elect members of the 12th Parliament of Canada. The election centered on a proposed reciprocity agreement with the United States that would lower tariffs between the two countries. The Liberal Party, led by Wilfrid Laurier, supported the trade deal, while the Conservative Party, under Robert Borden, vehemently opposed it. Conservatives argued that the agreement would compromise Canadian sovereignty, weaken economic ties with Britain, and potentially lead to American annexation. Their nationalist campaign resonated with voters, resulting in a Conservative victory. Robert Borden became Canada's eighth prime minister, marking a significant shift in the country's political landscape and trade policy.
22 Sep 1911 Cy Young Achieves Historic Final Victory: On September 22, 1911, legendary baseball pitcher Cy Young completed an extraordinary milestone by winning his 511th and final professional game at the remarkable age of 44. In a testament to his enduring skill and resilience, Young led the Boston Rustlers (soon to be renamed the Boston Braves) to a narrow 1-0 victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
23 Sep 1911 First Official US Airmail Flight: Earl Ovington made history on September 23, 1911, by becoming the first official airmail pilot in the United States. Flying under the authority of the United States Post Office, Ovington pioneered a new era of postal transportation by demonstrating the potential of aircraft for mail delivery. His groundbreaking flight marked a significant milestone in both aviation and postal communication history.
24 Sep 1911 Destruction of Britain's First Rigid Airship: His Majesty's Airship No. 1, Britain's pioneering rigid airship, was tragically destroyed by powerful winds before it could complete its maiden flight at Barrow-in-Furness. This incident represented a significant setback in early British aviation and dirigible technology, highlighting the immense challenges faced by early aeronautical engineers in creating stable and reliable lighter-than-air craft.
25 Sep 1911 Fenway Park Construction Begins: On September 25, 1911, ground was officially broken for the construction of Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. This historic moment marked the beginning of what would become one of the most iconic baseball stadiums in the United States, home to the Boston Red Sox.
26 Sep 1911 Italy's Ultimatum to Ottoman Empire over North African Territories: On September 26, 1911, the Italian government formulated a provocative diplomatic ultimatum to the Ottoman Empire, demanding the cession of territories in North Africa, specifically targeting Libya. This aggressive diplomatic maneuver was part of Italy's colonial expansionist ambitions during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The ultimatum was a prelude to the Italo-Turkish War (1911-1912), which would ultimately result in Italy's conquest of Ottoman-controlled Libya and the establishment of Italian colonial control in the region.
27 Sep 1911 First Parliamentary Elections with Universal Male Suffrage in Sweden: On September 27, 1911, Sweden held its first parliamentary elections following the introduction of universal male suffrage. The Liberal Party, under the leadership of Karl Staaff, emerged victorious in this historic democratic milestone. This election marked a significant step towards expanding political representation and democratic participation in Swedish society, allowing a broader segment of male citizens to have a voice in the national political process.
28 Sep 1911 Italian Ultimatum to Ottoman Empire: On September 28, 1911, Italy presented the Ottoman government with a provocative diplomatic ultimatum demanding occupation rights in Tripolitania and Cyrenaica (modern-day Libya). The Italians fabricated a pretext of protecting Italian citizens from alleged Muslim extremist threats. When the Ottomans cautiously rebuffed the ultimatum while expressing openness to negotiations, Italy escalated tensions by declaring war on September 29, 1911, marking the beginning of the Italo-Turkish War.
29 Sep 1911 Italy Declares War on Ottoman Empire: On September 29, 1911, Italy officially declared war on the Ottoman Empire, marking the beginning of the Italo-Turkish War. This conflict would ultimately result in Italy gaining control of Libya and the Dodecanese Islands, significantly altering the geopolitical landscape of the Mediterranean region.
30 Sep 1911 Austin Dam Disaster: On September 30, 1911, the Austin Dam catastrophically failed in Austin, Pennsylvania, unleashing a devastating flood that destroyed the town and claimed 78 lives. The massive concrete dam, which was poorly constructed and located on the Sinnemahoning Creek, suddenly collapsed under immense water pressure, sending a tremendous wall of water rushing through the narrow valley, obliterating buildings, infrastructure, and tragically ending numerous lives.