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Major Events of September 1920: 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 1920 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of September 1920: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Sep 1920 The Fountain of Time Monument Unveiled: The Fountain of Time, a significant public art installation, was opened on September 1, 1920, commemorating 100 years of peaceful relations between the United States and Great Britain since the Treaty of Ghent. Located in Chicago, this monument by sculptor Lorado Taft symbolizes the enduring friendship and diplomatic harmony between the two nations.
  • 02 Sep 1920 Abolition of Corporal Punishment in British Indian Army: In a significant reform of military disciplinary practices, the United Kingdom amended the Indian Army Act of 1911 to abolish corporal punishment for soldiers serving in the British Indian Army. This legislative change marked an important step towards more humane treatment of military personnel and reflected evolving perspectives on disciplinary methods during the late colonial period.
  • 03 Sep 1920 Major U.S. Chemical Companies Announce Merger: On September 3, 1920, executives from five prominent U.S. chemical companies unveiled ambitious plans to merge, forming what would eventually become the Allied Corporation. This strategic consolidation represented a significant moment in the industrial landscape of early 20th-century America, signaling the growing trend of corporate consolidation and the increasing importance of chemical manufacturing in the national economy.
  • 04 Sep 1920 Spanish Foreign Legion Established: King Alfonso XIII officially inaugurated 'El Tercio de Extranjeros' (Regiment of Foreigners), which would later become the modern Spanish Legion. This military unit was initially formed by royal decree on January 28, 1920, and formally established on September 4, 1920.
  • 05 Sep 1920 Mexican Presidential Election of 1920: Presidential elections commenced in Mexico, marking a significant political transition following years of revolutionary turmoil. This election represented a critical moment in Mexico's democratic development after the tumultuous period of the Mexican Revolution.
  • 06 Sep 1920 Jack Dempsey Wins Heavyweight Boxing Title via Radio Broadcast: Jack Dempsey defeated Billy Miske in the 3rd round to retain his heavyweight boxing championship. This fight was historically significant as it was the first boxing match broadcast via radio, marking a pivotal moment in sports media and communication technology.
  • 07 Sep 1920 First Transcontinental U.S. Air Mail Service Launched: The United States inaugurated its first regular transcontinental air mail service, marking a significant milestone in communication and transportation technology. At 5:30 AM, a mail load departed from Maywood, New Jersey, bound for San Francisco, with strategic stops in Chicago, Omaha, and Salt Lake City, demonstrating the expanding capabilities of early aviation.
  • 08 Sep 1920 First Transcontinental Air Mail Service in the United States: The United States inaugurated its first regular transcontinental air mail service, connecting New York City and San Francisco. The pioneering route included strategic stops in Chicago, Omaha, and Salt Lake City, dramatically reducing mail delivery times. The U.S. Post Office deployed six Junkers JR-1B metal airplanes specially modified for mail transportation, marking a significant milestone in postal and aviation history.
  • 09 Sep 1920 Anti-Japanese Land Ownership Discussions: U.S. Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby met with California Governor William Stephens to discuss the controversial 'Anti-Japanese Land Referendum Bill', which proposed legally preventing citizens of Japanese descent from owning land. This meeting highlighted the significant racial tensions and discriminatory policies prevalent in early 20th-century California.
  • 10 Sep 1920 Founding of the Communist Party of Turkey: The Communist Party of Turkey (Türkiye Komünist Partisi, TKP) was officially established in Anatolia, marking a significant moment in the political evolution of the emerging Turkish Republic. This event reflected the broader global spread of communist ideology in the aftermath of World War I and the Russian Revolution.
  • 11 Sep 1920 Arrest of Ottoman Heir Abdulmejid II: On September 11, 1920, Abdulmejid II, the 52-year-old heir apparent to the Ottoman Empire's throne, was arrested and had his property confiscated after attempting to flee to Ankara during the tumultuous period of the Turkish War of Independence. Police in Constantinople (Istanbul) had been searching for him since September 7. He was placed under house arrest at the opulent Dolmabahçe Palace, which was heavily guarded to prevent his escape, marking a significant moment in the political upheaval of the late Ottoman Empire.
  • 12 Sep 1920 Serbian Orthodox Church Restoration: The Serbian Orthodox Church was officially unified and restored after 164 years of suppression by the Ottoman Empire. Under the leadership of Dimitrije Pavlović, the Metropolitan of Belgrade, this event marked a significant moment of religious and cultural revival for Serbian national identity.
  • 14 Sep 1920 First Cross-Country Airmail Delivery in U.S.: Edison 'Monte' Mouton made history by completing the first transcontinental airmail delivery in the United States. Landing at San Francisco's Marino Field at 2:33 PM, he concluded a relay that began on September 8, marking a significant milestone in American postal and aviation history.
  • 16 Sep 1920 Wall Street Bombing of 1920: On September 16, 1920, a devastating terrorist attack occurred in the heart of New York City's financial district. A horse-drawn wagon loaded with explosives detonated in front of the J.P. Morgan & Co. building at the corner of Wall and Broad Streets, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. The bombing killed 40 people and injured over 300, marking it as one of the most significant terrorist incidents in early 20th-century American history. Despite extensive investigations, the perpetrators were never identified, leaving the motive and responsible parties a mystery.
  • 17 Sep 1920 New York Stock Exchange Bombing: A devastating terrorist bombing occurred at the New York Stock Exchange, resulting in 38 fatalities and 143 injuries. This attack was one of the most significant acts of urban terrorism in early 20th-century America, causing widespread shock and prompting increased security measures.
  • 18 Sep 1920 Finland and Sweden Seek League of Nations Arbitration: Finland and Sweden agreed to refer their territorial dispute over the Aland Islands to arbitration by the League of Nations. This diplomatic resolution demonstrated the emerging international mechanism for peaceful conflict resolution in the early 20th century, highlighting the League's role in managing potential regional tensions.
  • 20 Sep 1920 Black and Tans Burn Balbriggan: During the Irish War of Independence, British paramilitary police known as the 'Black and Tans' committed a brutal act of retaliation by burning the town of Balbriggan and killing two local men. This violent response was in revenge for an Irish Republican Army (IRA) assassination, highlighting the escalating tensions and cycle of violence during the conflict.
  • 21 Sep 1920 Balbriggan Burning Incident: In a violent act of retaliation, Irish police burned down homes and businesses owned by Irish nationalists in the town of Balbriggan, Ireland. This event highlighted the intense tensions between Irish nationalists and British colonial authorities during the Irish independence struggle.
  • 22 Sep 1920 Black Sox Scandal Investigation Begins: A Chicago grand jury convenes to investigate serious allegations that eight Chicago White Sox players conspired to deliberately lose the 1919 World Series in exchange for money from gamblers, marking a pivotal moment in baseball's integrity and ethics.
  • 23 Sep 1920 Alexander Millerand Elected President of France: Alexander Millerand was elected as the new President of France through a formal electoral process. As a prominent political figure, his election represented a significant moment in French Third Republic politics, signaling potential shifts in national leadership and policy direction.
  • 24 Sep 1920 Uneventful Day in 1920: While no major historical events were specifically documented for September 24, 1920, this does not necessarily mean nothing of significance occurred. The early 1920s were a period of significant global transformation, including post-World War I reconstruction, emerging social movements, and technological innovations.
  • 25 Sep 1920 Justice Bell Rings for Women's Suffrage: In a historic moment for women's rights, suffragists unchained the Justice Bell during a symbolic ceremony at Independence Square in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This event marked a pivotal milestone in the women's suffrage movement, signaling the imminent passage of the 19th Amendment, which would grant women the right to vote nationwide. The Justice Bell, a replica of the Liberty Bell, had been silent until this moment, representing the silenced voices of women in the democratic process.
  • 26 Sep 1920 First American Professional Football Association (APFA) Game: On September 26, 1920, the first official game featuring an APFA team was played at Rock Island's Douglas Park. A crowd of 800 spectators watched the Rock Island Independents defeat the St. Paul team, marking a significant moment in early professional American football history.
  • 27 Sep 1920 Hitler's First Public Political Speech: Adolf Hitler delivered his first public political speech in Austria, an early and pivotal moment in his rise to political prominence. This event would later be seen as a significant precursor to his eventual leadership of the Nazi Party and his profound impact on world history.
  • 28 Sep 1920 Black Sox Scandal: White Sox Players Indicted: Eight players from the Chicago White Sox were formally indicted for conspiring to deliberately lose the 1919 World Series in exchange for monetary bribes, marking one of the most infamous moments in baseball history.
  • 29 Sep 1920 Babe Ruth Sets Home Run Record: Baseball legend Babe Ruth sets a new Major League Baseball home run season record by hitting 54 home runs, a remarkable achievement that would transform the understanding of power hitting in the sport.
  • 30 Sep 1920 White Russian Forces Capture Kharkov: General Pyotr Wrangel, a prominent leader of the White Russian Army during the Russian Civil War, successfully captured the strategic city of Kharkov from Soviet forces. This military victory represented a significant, though temporary, triumph for the anti-Bolshevik forces in their struggle against the Soviet Red Army.