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Major Events of September 1917: 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 1917 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of September 1917: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Sep 1917 US Gold Export Prohibition During World War I: On September 1, 1917, during the critical period of World War I, the United States government implemented a comprehensive prohibition on gold exports. This strategic economic measure was designed to protect the nation's gold reserves and maintain financial stability during the wartime economic challenges. By restricting gold movement, the government aimed to prevent potential economic destabilization and preserve national monetary resources.
  • 02 Sep 1917 First Major Moonlight German Air Raid on England: During World War I, Germany conducted its first significant moonlight aerial bombing raid on England involving multiple aircraft. The attack resulted in approximately 230 casualties, predominantly among military personnel, marking a notable escalation in aerial warfare tactics.
  • 03 Sep 1917 First Night Bombing of London by German Aircraft: During World War I, German fighter planes conducted their first nighttime bombing raid on London, marking a significant escalation in aerial warfare and bringing the conflict directly to British civilian territory.
  • 04 Sep 1917 German Moonlit Air Raid on London during World War I: On September 4, 1917, during World War I, German aircraft conducted the first large-scale moonlit air raid on London. This strategic nighttime bombing operation marked a significant escalation in aerial warfare tactics, targeting civilian infrastructure and causing widespread fear and disruption in the British capital.
  • 05 Sep 1917 United States Army Establishes Camp Devens: The United States Army established Camp Devens in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, as a critical temporary training base for soldiers mobilizing and preparing for service during World War I.
  • 06 Sep 1917 French Ace Georges Guynemer Achieves Remarkable Aerial Victory: During World War I, renowned French fighter pilot Georges Guynemer demonstrated exceptional aerial combat skills by shooting down his 54th German aircraft. Guynemer was one of France's most celebrated fighter pilots, known for his extraordinary bravery and skill in aerial combat. His achievements significantly boosted French morale during the challenging period of the Great War.
  • 08 Sep 1917 World War I: A Day Without Notable Events: During the midst of World War I, September 8, 1917, appears to be a relatively quiet day with no significant documented historical events. This period was characterized by intense military operations on multiple fronts, including the Western Front, Eastern Front, and the Middle Eastern theaters. While no specific event was recorded for this exact date, the broader context of the war continued to shape global geopolitics.
  • 09 Sep 1917 Kornilov Coup Attempt Fails: Russian General Lavr Kornilov's attempted military coup against the Russian Provisional Government collapsed, marking a significant moment of political instability during the tumultuous period leading up to the Russian Revolution. The failed coup highlighted the deep internal tensions within the Russian military and political leadership during World War I.
  • 12 Sep 1917 Saint-Mihiel Offensive of World War I: On September 12, 1918, the American Expeditionary Forces under Commander-in-Chief General John J. Pershing launched its first major independent offensive in Europe during World War I. The U.S.-led attack targeted the strategically critical Saint-Mihiel salient, a triangular area of land between Verdun and Nancy that had been occupied by German forces since 1914. This salient was crucial as it disrupted rail communications between Paris and the eastern front sections. The offensive began with an early morning artillery bombardment, followed by U.S. infantry and tank advances. Despite potential resistance, the operation was relatively swift, and by September 16, the area was liberated from German occupation, marking a significant milestone in American military involvement in World War I.
  • 13 Sep 1917 Fifth Apparition of Our Lady of Fatima: On September 13, 1917, the fifth apparition of Our Lady of Fatima occurred at the Cova da Iria near Fátima, Portugal. The three children visionaries - Lucia Santos, Jacinta Marto, and Francisco Marto - gathered at the site despite a large crowd of witnesses. After experiencing a flash of light, they saw the Virgin Mary appear on a holm oak tree. Mary spoke to Lucia about the critical importance of prayer and penance, emphasizing spiritual transformation. The children remained in deep, contemplative prayer for an extended period, marking a significant moment in the Marian apparitions of Fatima.
  • 14 Sep 1917 Establishment of the Russian Republic: On September 14, 1917, the Provisional Government formally proclaimed Russia as a republic, marking a significant transition from the centuries-old imperial system to a democratic form of governance. This momentous event occurred during a turbulent period of Russian history, following the February Revolution that had already overthrown the Tsarist monarchy.
  • 15 Sep 1917 Russia Proclaims Republic During Revolutionary Period: Alexander Kerensky, a key figure in the Russian Revolution, proclaimed Russia a republic, marking a significant transition from the imperial system towards a democratic governance model during the tumultuous year of 1917.
  • 16 Sep 1917 Tsar Nicholas II Prorogues the Duma: On September 16, 1917, Tsar Nicholas II prorogued the Duma, a significant political action that further destabilized the Russian Empire during the tumultuous period of the Russian Revolution. This act of dissolving the legislative assembly demonstrated the weakening grip of the imperial regime and contributed to the growing political tensions that would ultimately lead to the Bolshevik Revolution.
  • 17 Sep 1917 Honus Wagner Retires from Pittsburgh Pirates: Honus Wagner, widely considered one of the greatest shortstops in baseball history, concludes his illustrious 21-year Major League Baseball career with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Known for his exceptional fielding skills and batting prowess, Wagner was a key figure in the early days of professional baseball and would later be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in its inaugural class of 1936.
  • 18 Sep 1917 Birth of Francis Parker Yockey, Controversial Political Theorist: Francis Parker Yockey was born, who would later become a significant yet highly controversial political philosopher and author. Best known for his seminal work 'Imperium', Yockey was a radical right-wing intellectual who developed complex geopolitical theories that challenged mainstream political thought. His writings heavily criticized liberal democracy and promoted a form of cultural and racial nationalism that drew inspiration from European fascist ideologies.
  • 20 Sep 1917 British Assault on Polygon Wood During World War I: During the Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele), British forces launched a significant assault on Polygon Wood in France, a critical engagement in the Western Front of World War I, involving intense infantry and artillery combat.
  • 21 Sep 1917 German Forces Attack Jacobstadt in Courland: As part of the Eastern Front military campaign during World War I, German forces launched an offensive against Jacobstadt (now Jēkabpils), a strategic location in the Courland region of present-day Latvia. This attack was part of the German Army's ongoing efforts to expand and consolidate territorial control in the Baltic region.
  • 22 Sep 1917 German Offensive in Courland during World War I: On September 22, 1917, German Imperial Army forces launched an attack on the strategic town of Jacobstadt (now known as Jēkabpils) in the Courland region of Latvia during World War I. This military operation was part of the broader Eastern Front campaign, where German forces were attempting to consolidate their territorial gains in the Baltic region.
  • 23 Sep 1917 Nueva Gerona Hurricane Strikes Jamaica: On September 23, 1917, a powerful hurricane named the Nueva Gerona hurricane made landfall along the northern coast of Jamaica, causing significant damage and disruption to the local communities. The hurricane originated in the Caribbean Sea and brought intense winds, heavy rainfall, and potential storm surge to the island's vulnerable coastal regions.
  • 24 Sep 1917 World War I: A Day in Global Conflict: While no specific local events were recorded for September 24, 1917, this date occurred during a critical period of World War I. By this time, the war had been raging for three years, with major battles and strategic movements happening across multiple fronts in Europe. The Allied Powers, including Britain, France, Russia, and the United States, were engaged in intense military campaigns against the Central Powers.
  • 25 Sep 1917 Anglo-French Military Conference in Boulogne: A strategic military conference was held in Boulogne, France, between British and French military leadership to discuss potential offensive operations on the Italian front and potential adjustments to the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) defensive line in France during World War I. The meeting focused on coordinating Allied military strategy and resource allocation in the ongoing conflict.
  • 26 Sep 1917 Battle of Polygon Wood during World War I: The Battle of Polygon Wood was a significant engagement during World War I, fought between Allied forces (British and Australian troops) and the German army near Ypres, Belgium. The battle was part of the larger Ypres Campaign and represented a strategic effort by Allied forces to gain ground in the Western Front.
  • 27 Sep 1917 British Assault on Polygon Forest: British military forces continue their assault on Polygon Forest in France, a significant engagement during the Third Battle of Ypres in World War I. The operation began on September 20 and extended over several days, representing a critical moment in the Western Front's combat operations.
  • 28 Sep 1917 Birth of Audree Wilson, Mother of The Beach Boys: Audree Wilson was born on September 28, 1917, and would later become the mother of three founding members of the iconic American rock band The Beach Boys: Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson. Her influence on her children's musical career was significant, as she encouraged their early musical interests and supported their artistic development. She passed away in 1997, leaving behind a legacy of musical heritage.
  • 29 Sep 1917 British Indian Forces Capture Ramadi During World War I: On September 29, 1917, during World War I, British Indian forces successfully captured the strategic town of Ramadi, located in modern-day Iraq. The battle was part of the Mesopotamian Campaign, a significant theater of operations in the Middle Eastern front. The British forces achieved their objective with 995 total casualties, most of which were classified as light injuries. This victory was crucial in expanding British control in the region and weakening Ottoman Empire's position in Mesopotamia.
  • 30 Sep 1917 German Counter-Attacks During Third Battle of Ypres: During the period of September 30 to October 4, 1917, German forces executed a series of methodical and strategic counter-attacks (known as 'Gegenangriffe') against Allied positions during the Third Battle of Ypres in Flanders, Belgium. These counter-attacks were part of the broader World War I conflict and demonstrated the German military's tactical resilience and defensive capabilities in the face of sustained Allied offensive operations.