Major Events of September 1919: 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 1919 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of September 1919: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 Sep 1919 Formation of the Communist Party of America: Communist leaders Charles E. Ruthenberg and Louis C. Fraina established the Communist Party of America by splitting from the Socialist Labor Party of America during a pivotal national convention in Chicago. This event marked a significant moment in the early development of communist political organization in the United States.
02 Sep 1919 Communist Party of America Established: The Communist Party of America was officially organized in Chicago, marking a significant moment in the development of radical left-wing political movements in the United States during the early 20th century.
03 Sep 1919 Wilson's Treaty of Versailles Campaign: President Woodrow Wilson embarked on a nationwide tour to generate public support for the Treaty of Versailles and the newly formed League of Nations, a critical diplomatic effort to promote international cooperation and prevent future global conflicts.
04 Sep 1919 Sivas Congress: Foundation of Modern Turkey: Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, gathered a pivotal congress in Sivas to strategize the future of Anatolia and Thrace. This meeting was crucial in laying the groundwork for Turkey's independence movement and eventual establishment as a modern nation-state.
05 Sep 1919 Wilson Advocates for League of Nations in St. Louis Speech: In a pivotal address at a St. Louis coliseum, President Woodrow Wilson passionately articulated his vision for the League of Nations, a groundbreaking international organization designed to prevent future global conflicts through diplomatic cooperation and collective security. Wilson argued that such a multilateral institution was essential to maintaining lasting peace in the aftermath of World War I, emphasizing the need for nations to resolve disputes through dialogue rather than armed conflict.
06 Sep 1919 U.S. Army Cross-Country Motor Transport Train Completes Historic Transcontinental Journey: The U.S. Army's Cross-Country Motor Transport Train successfully completed a groundbreaking transcontinental expedition, arriving in San Francisco after traveling 3,251 miles (5,232 kilometers) from Washington, D.C. The journey began on July 7, 1919, and was marked by enthusiastic welcomes from bands and cheering crowds. This historic trip played a crucial role in demonstrating the potential of long-distance motorized transportation and significantly contributed to the future development of the U.S. Highway System.
07 Sep 1919 First Waldorf School Established in Stuttgart: On September 7, 1919, the first Waldorf school was founded in Stuttgart, Germany, marking a significant milestone in alternative education. Initiated by Rudolf Steiner, the school was created for the children of workers at the Waldorf-Astoria cigarette factory. With an initial enrollment of 256 students, the school pioneered an innovative educational approach based on anthroposophical principles, emphasizing holistic development of children's intellectual, artistic, and practical skills.
08 Sep 1919 Minnesota Ratifies Women's Voting Rights: Minnesota became a key state in ratifying the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, a pivotal moment in the women's suffrage movement that guaranteed women the right to vote nationwide.
09 Sep 1919 Boston Police Strike of 1919: On September 9, 1919, Boston's police force initiated a landmark labor protest, with over 1,100 officers walking off the job to demand fair wages, improved working conditions, and recognition of their right to unionize. This strike was a pivotal moment in American labor history, highlighting the growing tensions between workers and municipal authorities in the early 20th century.
10 Sep 1919 Hitler's Early Political Involvement: While working as a police informant, Adolf Hitler was tasked with monitoring the German Workers' Party, an assignment that would prove pivotal in his early political career and eventual rise to power in Nazi Germany.
11 Sep 1919 Founding of Moscow Film School: Renowned Russian filmmaker Vladimir Gardin established the Moscow Film School, which would later become the prestigious Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography, a pivotal institution in Soviet and Russian film education.
12 Sep 1919 Adolf Hitler Joins the German Workers' Party: On September 12, 1919, Adolf Hitler joined the German Workers' Party (Deutsche Arbeiterpartei or DAP), a small nationalist political group in Munich. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of Hitler's political career, where he would eventually transform the party into the Nazi Party (NSDAP) and rise to become the dictator of Germany. Hitler was attracted to the party's extreme nationalist and antisemitic ideology, becoming its 7th member and setting the stage for one of the most destructive political movements in human history.
13 Sep 1919 Boston Police Strike of 1919: The Boston Police Strike, a pivotal labor dispute, concluded on September 13, 1919, after four tumultuous days. The strike, which involved approximately 75% of the city's police force, was a significant moment in American labor history. The striking officers, demanding better wages and working conditions, were ultimately replaced by a new police force with improved compensation. This event highlighted the growing tensions between workers and municipal authorities during the post-World War I era and had substantial implications for labor rights and urban governance.
14 Sep 1919 Treaty of Saint-Germain Ends Austrian Empire: On September 14, 1919, the Treaty of Saint-Germain was signed, marking a pivotal moment in European geopolitical history. This treaty formally concluded World War I for Austria-Hungary and effectively dissolved the centuries-old Austrian Empire. The agreement dramatically reshaped Central European borders, significantly reducing Austria's territorial holdings and explicitly prohibiting its unification with Germany. These provisions directly led to the establishment of the First Austrian Republic, fundamentally transforming the region's political landscape in the aftermath of World War I.
15 Sep 1919 Devastating Florida Keys Hurricane of 1919: A catastrophic Category 4 hurricane struck the Florida Keys, causing widespread destruction across the Gulf Coast region. The powerful storm devastated coastal communities, resulting in approximately 600 fatalities and extensive property damage. The hurricane's intense winds and storm surge wreaked havoc on maritime infrastructure, agricultural lands, and urban centers in Florida, Texas, and surrounding areas, marking it as one of the most deadly hurricanes of the early 20th century.
16 Sep 1919 American Legion Receives Federal Charter: The American Legion was issued a federal charter by Congress, recognizing its crucial role in supporting wounded warriors, military families, and establishing significant national legislation through community volunteerism.
17 Sep 1919 North Dakota Celebrates Constitution Day: On September 17, 1919, Governor Lynn Frazier officially proclaimed Constitution Day in North Dakota, marking a significant moment in the state's civic history. During a notable address in Grand Forks, Frazier eloquently highlighted the Constitution's critical role in protecting citizens' rights, describing it as 'the greatest guardian and most powerful champion of the people's liberties.' This proclamation was part of a broader national movement to commemorate and educate citizens about the foundational document of American democracy.
18 Sep 1919 Dutch Women's Suffrage Milestone: The Dutch 2nd Chamber officially accepts female suffrage, marking a pivotal moment in the Netherlands' democratic evolution and women's political rights.
19 Sep 1919 Treaty of Neuilly Signed with Bulgaria: The Treaty of Neuilly was formally presented to Bulgarian representatives on September 19, 1919, as part of the post-World War I peace settlements. This treaty, a component of the broader Paris Peace Conference, imposed significant territorial and military restrictions on Bulgaria, reshaping the geopolitical landscape of southeastern Europe.
20 Sep 1919 Jim Barnes Wins 2nd PGA Championship: Professional golfer Jim Barnes secured victory at the 2nd Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) Championship, held at the prestigious Engineers Country Club in Roslyn, New York. This tournament was a significant milestone in the early development of professional golf in the United States, showcasing the emerging talent and competitive spirit of the era.
21 Sep 1919 White Forces Capture Kursk during Russian Civil War: During the Russian Civil War, White forces successfully captured the strategically important city of Kursk, marking a significant military engagement in the conflict between the White Army and Bolshevik Red Army.
22 Sep 1919 1919 United States Steel Strike: The steel strike of 1919, led by the Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers, began in Pennsylvania and rapidly spread across the United States. This massive labor action involved over 350,000 steel workers demanding better wages, shorter working hours, and improved working conditions in the aftermath of World War I. The strike was a significant moment in American labor history, highlighting the growing tensions between industrial workers and steel company management.
24 Sep 1919 Babe Ruth Sets Single-Season Home Run Record: On September 24, 1919, Babe Ruth, playing for the Boston Red Sox, set a remarkable single-season home run record at the age of 28. The historic home run was hit off New York Yankees pitcher Bob Shawkey, marking a significant milestone in baseball history that would help transform the sport's approach to power hitting.
25 Sep 1919 Woodrow Wilson's Pueblo Speech and Collapse: On September 25, 1919, President Woodrow Wilson delivered a pivotal speech in Pueblo, Colorado, advocating for American membership in the League of Nations. The address, spanning over 6,100 words, was delivered to an enthusiastic crowd of more than 3,000 people. This speech was part of Wilson's nationwide tour to build public support for the League of Nations, a critical international organization aimed at preventing future global conflicts following World War I. Immediately after the passionate and exhaustive speech, Wilson suffered a severe physical breakdown, collapsing and effectively ending his speaking tour. This moment marked a significant turning point in Wilson's political career and the broader debate about U.S. international engagement.
26 Sep 1919 President Woodrow Wilson Suffers Serious Health Crisis: On September 26, 1919, President Woodrow Wilson experienced a significant stroke that effectively incapacitated him, marking a critical moment in American presidential history. The stroke occurred during his intense nationwide tour promoting the League of Nations, which was a key part of his post-World War I diplomatic vision. This medical emergency would dramatically impact Wilson's presidency, leaving his wife Edith to effectively manage many presidential responsibilities in what some historians describe as a 'stealth presidency'.
27 Sep 1919 Red Army Southern Front Strategically Divided: During the Russian Civil War, the Red Army Southern Front was strategically split into two sections due to the imminent threat of losing Moscow to the White Army. This tactical reorganization was a critical defensive maneuver to protect the Bolshevik stronghold.
28 Sep 1919 Lynching of Will Brown: Will Brown, an African American man, was brutally lynched by a white mob in Omaha, Nebraska. He was burned alive in a horrific act of racial violence, symbolizing the extreme racism and injustice prevalent during this period of American history. The incident was a stark representation of the systemic racism and lack of legal protection for African Americans.
29 Sep 1919 Omaha Race Riot: Tragic Lynching of Will Brown: On September 29, 1919, the Omaha Race Riot erupted in Nebraska, marking a horrific moment of racial violence during the 'Red Summer' of 1919. Will Brown, an African American man, was brutally lynched by a white mob, symbolizing the extreme racial tensions and systemic racism prevalent in the United States during this period. The riot highlighted the ongoing struggle for civil rights and the pervasive racial violence that characterized the early 20th century.
30 Sep 1919 Elaine Massacre: Racial Violence in Arkansas: On the night of September 30, 1919, a horrific racial massacre unfolded in Phillips County, Arkansas, representing one of the most brutal episodes of racial violence in American history. Approximately 100 Black farmers gathered at a church for a meeting of the Progressive Farmers and Household Union of America, an organization aimed at improving economic conditions for African American agricultural workers. When white men attempted to disrupt and spy on the meeting, a confrontation escalated into a shootout. This incident triggered a massive, racially motivated violent response, with white mobs systematically attacking the Black community in Elaine. The mobs destroyed homes, businesses, and brutally murdered Black residents. Historians estimate that hundreds of African Americans were killed during this massacre, which was part of the broader 'Red Summer' of 1919 characterized by widespread racial violence across the United States. The Elaine Massacre stands as a stark testament to the systemic racism and oppression faced by Black Americans in the early 20th century.