previous year1909
1910191119121913191419151916191719181919
1920next year

Major Events of September 1915: 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 1915 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

history

Major Events of September 1915: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Sep 1915 Royal Flying Corps Expands Squadron Formations: On this significant day in military aviation history, the British Royal Flying Corps established four new squadrons: No. 19, No. 20, No. 22, and No. 23. These new squadrons represented the expanding aerial capabilities of the British military during World War I, marking a crucial period of military aviation development.
  • 02 Sep 1915 British Troopship SS Vaderland Attacked in Aegean Sea: During World War I, on September 2, 1915, the British troopship SS Vaderland was torpedoed by the German submarine UB-14 in the Aegean Sea. After being hit, the ship was strategically beached on the island of Lemnos. Remarkably, the entire crew survived the attack, which was a notable incident in the maritime warfare of the First World War.
  • 03 Sep 1915 German Airship Raid on England: On September 3, 1915, two Imperial German Army airships conducted a bombing raid on England during World War I. One airship bombed multiple locations including Millwall, Deptford, Greenwich, and Woolwich, before crash-landing in Germany due to engine failure. The second airship primarily targeted greenhouses in Cheshunt and dropped a single incendiary bomb on a shop in London's Fenchurch Street.
  • 04 Sep 1915 British Submarine HMS E7 Scuttled in Dardanelles: During World War I, the British submarine HMS E7 was scuttled after becoming entangled in an anti-submarine net in the strategically important Dardanelles strait. The incident highlights the dangerous naval operations and technological challenges faced by submarine crews during the conflict.
  • 05 Sep 1915 Czar Nicholas II Takes Command of Russian Army: In a desperate move during World War I, Russian Czar Nicholas II assumes personal command of the Russian Army, hoping to boost morale and reverse military fortunes. The Russian forces have suffered catastrophic losses, including over 1,400,000 casualties and 750,000 soldiers captured during Austro-German offensives in Galicia and Poland.
  • 06 Sep 1915 First British Tank Prototype Test: On September 6, 1915, the British Army conducted the first prototype test of a revolutionary new armored fighting vehicle, marking a significant milestone in military technology during World War I. The tank, developed by William Foster & Co. in Lincoln, England, would fundamentally change warfare strategies and battlefield dynamics.
  • 07 Sep 1915 British First Use of Poison Gas in World War I: During the Battle of Artois, the British military launched an attack against the German 6th Army, marking a significant and controversial moment in World War I by deploying chlorine gas as a weapon for the first time. This event represented a dramatic escalation in warfare tactics, introducing chemical weapons to the battlefield.
  • 08 Sep 1915 German Zeppelin Bombing Raid on England: On September 8, 1915, four German Navy Zeppelins attempted a strategic bombing mission over England. Two Zeppelins experienced engine troubles and were unable to complete their mission. Another Zeppelin attacked industrial targets including a benzole plant in Millwall, Deptford, Greenwich, and Woolwich, but ultimately crash-landed in Germany due to mechanical failures. The fourth Zeppelin dropped bombs on greenhouses in Cheshunt and subsequently released a lone incendiary bomb on a shop on Fenchurch Street in London.
  • 09 Sep 1915 First Military Tank Prototype Completed: On September 9, 1915, William Foster & Co. of Lincoln, England, completed the first prototype military tank, nicknamed 'Little Willie'. This groundbreaking moment marked the beginning of tank warfare, a technology that would dramatically transform military strategy in World War I and future conflicts.
  • 10 Sep 1915 Anglo-French Financial Commission War Funding Negotiations: The Anglo-French Financial Commission, led by Lord Chief Justice Rufus Isaacs, met with prominent American financial leaders including J.P. Morgan Jr. in New York City to discuss critical private sector wartime funding strategies.
  • 11 Sep 1915 Pennsylvania Railroad Launches Electrified Commuter Rail Service: On September 11, 1915, the Pennsylvania Railroad made a significant technological advancement by introducing electrified commuter rail service between Paoli and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The innovative system utilized overhead AC trolley wires to power the trains, marking an important milestone in transportation infrastructure and electrical engineering during the early 20th century.
  • 12 Sep 1915 French Soldiers Rescue Armenian Genocide Survivors at Musa Dagh: During the Armenian Genocide, French soldiers conducted a heroic rescue operation, saving over 4,000 Armenian survivors stranded on Musa Dagh, a critical humanitarian intervention during World War I.
  • 13 Sep 1915 Siege of Mora during World War I: During World War I, Allied forces launched a strategic military operation against German defensive positions surrounding the town of Mora in German East Africa (present-day Cameroon). This engagement was part of the broader colonial campaign in Africa, where European powers fought to control territories and strategic resources. The siege represented a significant moment in the African theater of World War I, highlighting the global nature of the conflict and its impact on colonial territories.
  • 14 Sep 1915 Funeral of William Cornelius Van Horne: The funeral train of prominent Canadian railway executive William Cornelius Van Horne departed from Windsor Station in Montreal at 11:00 AM, traveling to Joliet, Illinois for his final interment. Van Horne was a pivotal figure in Canadian railway development, having played a crucial role in the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway and significantly contributing to the country's transportation infrastructure and economic expansion.
  • 15 Sep 1915 Launch of New Youth Magazine: Chen Duxiu, a prominent intellectual and key figure in the Chinese cultural reform movement, established the influential New Youth (Xin Qingnian) magazine in Shanghai. This publication became a critical platform for progressive intellectuals to challenge traditional Confucian values and promote modern, Western-inspired ideas of science, democracy, and cultural transformation.
  • 16 Sep 1915 United States Assumes Financial Control of Haiti: The United States took control of Haiti's customs and financial systems, initiating a decade-long period of direct economic intervention. This marked a significant moment in U.S. foreign policy and Caribbean geopolitics, reflecting the era's imperial ambitions and economic strategies.
  • 17 Sep 1915 National Service Debate in British House of Commons: On September 17, 1915, the British House of Commons engaged in a significant debate concerning National Service. This discussion likely centered on military conscription and mobilization efforts during World War I, reflecting the growing need for manpower in the ongoing conflict.
  • 18 Sep 1915 DUPE: German Army Detachment D Formation: During World War I, the Imperial German Army established Army Detachment D for strategic operations on the Eastern Front, reflecting the complex military reorganization during the conflict.
  • 19 Sep 1915 Birth of Germán Valdés, Mexican Comedy Legend: Germán Valdés, widely known by his stage name 'Tin Tan', was born on September 19, 1915, in Mexico City. He would become one of the most influential comedic actors in Mexican cinema during the Golden Age of Mexican cinema (1930s-1950s). Valdés was renowned for his unique comedic style, which often incorporated zoot suit fashion and pachuco slang, representing a distinctive urban Mexican-American cultural identity.
  • 20 Sep 1915 Royal Newfoundland Regiment Arrives at Gallipoli: During World War I, the Royal Newfoundland Regiment landed at Suvla Bay on the Gallipoli Peninsula, joining the complex and challenging Allied campaign against Ottoman forces. This strategic deployment was part of a broader attempt to secure the Dardanelles Strait and potentially open a supply route to Russia. The regiment's arrival represented a significant contribution from the Dominion of Newfoundland to the British war effort, demonstrating the colony's commitment and sacrifice during the conflict.
  • 21 Sep 1915 Canadian 10th Battalion at Stonehenge: The Canadian 10th Battalion marches past Stonehenge during its restoration period, with British landowner and businessman Cecil Chubb in attendance. This event highlights the intersection of military movement, historical preservation, and cultural heritage during World War I.
  • 22 Sep 1915 First Black Catholic College Established: Xavier University was founded in New Orleans, Louisiana, marking a historic milestone as the first Black Catholic college in the United States. This groundbreaking institution represented significant progress in educational opportunities for African Americans during the early 20th century.
  • 23 Sep 1915 Earthquake in Eritrea: On September 23, 1915, a moderate earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2 struck the region near Asmara, the capital city of Eritrea. Despite the significant seismic activity, the tremor caused only minor damage to local infrastructure. This event highlights the geological dynamics of the East African Rift Valley, a region known for its tectonic complexity and frequent seismic occurrences.
  • 24 Sep 1915 World War I: Ongoing Global Conflict: On September 24, 1915, World War I was in its second year, with intense fighting occurring across multiple fronts in Europe. While no specific singular event is documented for this exact date, the global conflict continued to reshape geopolitical landscapes, with major powers engaged in unprecedented industrial warfare. The Western Front remained particularly volatile, with trench warfare dominating military strategies and causing massive casualties.
  • 25 Sep 1915 Battle of Loos: British Offensive in World War I: The Battle of Loos was a major British offensive against German positions, marking a significant moment in World War I. This battle represented the first large-scale deployment of Kitchener's Army and the British Army's initial use of poison gas. Despite capturing the town of Loos, British forces suffered substantial casualties and were unable to capitalize on their initial gains.
  • 26 Sep 1915 Sir A. J. Murray Appointed Chief of the Imperial General Staff: On September 26, 1915, Lieutenant-General Sir A. J. Murray was formally appointed as the Chief of the Imperial General Staff (CIGS), succeeding Lieutenant-General Sir Wolfe Murray, who had resigned from the position the previous day. This appointment occurred during a critical period of World War I, when military leadership and strategic planning were of paramount importance to the British war effort.
  • 27 Sep 1915 World War I: A Day in Global Context: While no specific event is directly documented for September 27, 1915, this date falls during a critical period of World War I. By this time, the war had been raging for over a year, with major battles and strategic movements occurring across multiple fronts in Europe. The Western Front was characterized by trench warfare, with the Allies and Central Powers engaged in grueling and costly conflicts. The year 1915 saw significant military operations like the Second Battle of Artois and the Battle of Loos in France, which involved British, French, and German forces.
  • 28 Sep 1915 Italy Enters World War I: Italy officially declared war on Austria-Hungary, strategically aligning with the Allied Powers and significantly expanding the geographical and political scope of World War I.
  • 29 Sep 1915 First Transcontinental Radio Telephone Message: A groundbreaking moment in communication technology occurred when the first transcontinental radio telephone message was successfully transmitted, marking a significant milestone in long-distance communication and technological innovation.
  • 30 Sep 1915 First Ground-to-Air Aircraft Shoot Down in Military History: During World War I, Serbian Army private Radoje Ljutovac achieved a groundbreaking military milestone by becoming the first soldier in recorded history to successfully shoot down an enemy aircraft using ground-based artillery fire. This remarkable feat demonstrated the evolving nature of aerial warfare and marked a significant technological advancement in military combat strategies.