Major Events of September 1924: 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 1924 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of September 1924: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 Sep 1924 Dawes Plan Implementation: The Dawes Plan, a critical economic strategy for post-World War I reparations, officially went into effect. This plan restructured Germany's war debt payments to the Allied Powers, aiming to stabilize the European economic landscape and prevent further financial tensions.
02 Sep 1924 First Negro World Series Announced: Rube Foster, President of the Negro National League, made a groundbreaking announcement about the first 'Negro World Series' to be held in October. This historic event would pit the champions of the Negro National League and the Eastern Colored League against each other, marking a significant moment in African American baseball history and providing a platform for talented Black athletes during the era of segregation.
03 Sep 1924 Chinese Civil War Erupts: The Chinese Civil War begins, marking a significant political conflict between the Nationalist Kuomintang (KMT) and the Communist Party of China (CCP). This prolonged struggle would ultimately reshape the political landscape of China, leading to the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949.
04 Sep 1924 British PM Addresses League of Nations on Disarmament Treaty: In a pivotal diplomatic moment, British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald delivered a significant speech at the League of Nations Assembly in Geneva, effectively halting negotiations for the proposed 'Treaty of Mutual Guarantee'. His frank address signaled the end of discussions about replacing national military forces with an international armed force, reflecting the complex geopolitical tensions and reluctance of nations to surrender military sovereignty in the post-World War I era.
05 Sep 1924 American Round-the-World Flight Completion: The three remaining planes of the American round-the-world flight expedition (Chicago, New Orleans, and Boston II) successfully returned to U.S. airspace, landing near Brunswick, Maine in dense fog. This marked a significant milestone in early 20th-century aviation exploration.
06 Sep 1924 Failed Assassination Attempt on Benito Mussolini: An unsuccessful assassination attempt was made against Benito Mussolini, the rising Fascist leader of Italy. Despite the threat, Mussolini survived, which would further solidify his political power and reputation.
07 Sep 1924 Birth of Daniel Inouye: Daniel Inouye, a prominent American politician of Japanese descent, was born in Honolulu. He would later become a distinguished Medal of Honor recipient for his extraordinary heroism during World War II and serve as a long-serving United States Senator from Hawaii.
08 Sep 1924 First Woman Ambassador in Diplomatic History: Alexandra Kollontai, a prominent Russian revolutionary and feminist, made history by becoming the first woman to serve as an official ambassador, representing the Soviet Union. Her appointment was groundbreaking for women's representation in international diplomacy during the early 20th century.
09 Sep 1924 Hanapepe Massacre in Hawaii: On September 9, 1924, a violent confrontation occurred on the island of Kauai, Hawaii, known as the Hanapepe Massacre. During a labor dispute at the McBryde sugar plantation, a gun battle erupted between striking workers and local law enforcement, resulting in the tragic deaths of twenty people, including four police officers. This event highlighted the intense labor tensions and social conflicts in Hawaii's agricultural industry during the early 20th century.
10 Sep 1924 Leopold and Loeb Murder Trial Concludes: The sensational trial of Nathan F. Leopold, Jr. and Richard Albert Loeb reaches its dramatic conclusion. The two wealthy University of Chicago students are found guilty of the brutal kidnapping and murder of 14-year-old Bobby Franks in May. Both defendants are sentenced to life imprisonment plus an additional 99 years, narrowly avoiding the death penalty through the eloquent defense of attorney Clarence Darrow.
11 Sep 1924 Birth of NFL Coaching Legend Tom Landry: Thomas Wade Landry is born in Mission, Texas. He would go on to become a pioneering figure in professional American football, serving as the first head coach of the Dallas Cowboys and establishing himself as one of the most influential coaches in NFL history. Landry's innovative coaching strategies and leadership would transform the Cowboys into a legendary franchise.
12 Sep 1924 Political Assassination in Fascist Italy: Armando Casalili, a Fascist Party member of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, was assassinated by Communist activist Giovanni Corvi. This murder was a retaliatory act intended to avenge the earlier assassination of Socialist Party deputy Giacomo Matteotti on June 12, reflecting the intense political violence and ideological conflicts in 1920s Italy.
13 Sep 1924 General John J. Pershing Retires from U.S. Army: General John J. Pershing, a legendary American military leader who commanded the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I, retired from the United States Army. He remains the last American military officer to achieve the prestigious six-star General of the Armies rank, a distinction that highlights his extraordinary military career and significant contributions to national defense.
14 Sep 1924 Walter Johnson Wins American League MVP: Walter Johnson, the legendary pitcher for the Washington Senators, was awarded the American League Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, recognizing his exceptional performance during the 1924 baseball season. Known as 'The Big Train', Johnson was renowned for his powerful fastball and remarkable pitching skills.
15 Sep 1924 The Dawes Plan Takes Effect: The Dawes Plan was a significant economic strategy implemented to restructure Germany's reparations payments to the Allied Powers following World War I. Developed by an international committee led by American banker Charles G. Dawes, the plan aimed to stabilize the German economy and ensure consistent war reparation payments. By providing a more flexible payment schedule and arranging international loans, the Dawes Plan helped prevent economic collapse in Germany and promoted post-war financial recovery.
16 Sep 1924 Jim Bottomley Sets Major League RBI Record: On September 16, 1924, St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Jim Bottomley achieved a remarkable feat in baseball history by driving in 12 runs during a single nine-inning game. This extraordinary performance set a major league record that would stand for nearly 70 years, until Mark Whiten of the Cardinals matched the record in 1993. Bottomley's incredible offensive output demonstrated his exceptional batting skill and remains one of the most impressive individual performances in baseball history.
17 Sep 1924 Establishment of Border Protection Corps in Poland: The Border Protection Corps (Korpus Ochrony Pogranicza) was established in the Second Polish Republic to defend the eastern border against potential Soviet military incursions and local banditry. This paramilitary formation was crucial in maintaining territorial integrity during a period of significant geopolitical tension between Poland and Soviet Russia.
18 Sep 1924 U.S. Military Withdrawal from Dominican Republic: The United States military occupation of the Dominican Republic concludes after eight years of continuous presence, marking a significant moment in Caribbean geopolitical history and Dominican sovereignty restoration.
19 Sep 1924 Stalin's First Political Purge: Arrest of Alexander Krasnoshchyokov: On September 19, 1924, Joseph Stalin ordered the arrest of Alexander Krasnoshchyokov, marking an early instance of political suppression during Stalin's rising power within the Soviet leadership. Krasnoshchyokov, a prominent Bolshevik, was temporarily removed from his position, reflecting Stalin's emerging pattern of eliminating potential political rivals. Despite being allowed to rejoin the government in 1925, Krasnoshchyokov's reprieve was short-lived. In 1937, during the height of the Great Purge, Stalin ultimately ordered his execution, demonstrating the increasingly ruthless nature of his political consolidation.
20 Sep 1924 Secret Diplomatic Agreement Between China and Soviet Union: A confidential diplomatic agreement was signed between the Republic of China and the Soviet Union, building upon a previously established secret protocol from March 14. This diplomatic interaction highlighted the complex geopolitical relationships in East Asia during the early 20th century.
21 Sep 1924 First Divided Highway in Italy: The Autostrada: On September 21, 1924, Italy pioneered modern road infrastructure by opening the Autostrada, the world's first divided highway. This groundbreaking transportation project marked a significant milestone in automotive engineering and urban planning, providing a dedicated roadway that separated opposing traffic lanes, enhancing safety and efficiency for motor vehicles.
22 Sep 1924 SS Clifton Shipwreck in Lake Huron: On September 22, 1924, the American freighter SS Clifton sank in Lake Huron, resulting in the tragic loss of all 26 crew members. The ship's wreckage remained undiscovered for over 90 years, finally being located in 2016, which added a haunting chapter to the maritime history of the Great Lakes.
23 Sep 1924 Birth of Pedro Chamorro, Nicaraguan Journalist and Political Activist: Pedro Joaquín Chamorro Cardenal was born on September 23, 1924, in Managua, Nicaragua. He would become a prominent journalist, newspaper editor of La Prensa, and a significant political dissident against the Somoza dictatorship. Chamorro was known for his courageous and persistent criticism of the authoritarian regime, which ultimately led to his assassination in 1978, making him a martyr in Nicaragua's struggle for democratic change.
24 Sep 1924 Germany's First Dawes Plan Payment: Germany made its inaugural payment of 20 million gold marks under the Dawes Plan, a significant economic arrangement designed to help Germany manage its World War I reparations and stabilize its post-war economy.
25 Sep 1924 Malcolm Campbell Sets World Auto Speed Record: On September 25, 1924, British racing motorist Malcolm Campbell achieved a remarkable milestone in automotive history by setting a new world land speed record of 146.16 miles per hour. This achievement was a significant moment in the early development of motorsports and automotive engineering, demonstrating the rapid technological advancements of the 1920s.
26 Sep 1924 Hindustan Times: First Indian-Owned English Newspaper: On September 26, 1924, the Hindustan Times became a landmark publication in Indian media history by being the first English-language newspaper to be owned by an Indian. This milestone represented a significant moment in the country's journey towards media independence and self-representation during the late colonial period.
27 Sep 1924 US Army Completes First Around-the-World Flight: Two US Army planes successfully completed a groundbreaking around-the-world flight, making 57 stops and concluding their historic journey on September 27, 1924. This achievement marked a significant milestone in aviation history and demonstrated the growing capabilities of military aircraft.
28 Sep 1924 First Aerial Circumnavigation of the Globe: The United States Army successfully completed the first aerial circumnavigation of the globe, flying from Seattle and returning after making 57 stops around the world. This historic flight demonstrated the emerging capabilities of military aviation and long-distance aerial travel in the early 20th century.
29 Sep 1924 Politis–Kalfov Protocol Signed in Geneva: On September 29, 1924, the Politis–Kalfov Protocol was signed at the League of Nations in Geneva, addressing diplomatic tensions following the Tarlis incident on July 27, where 17 Bulgarian officers were killed. This protocol represented an attempt to resolve international conflicts through diplomatic channels.
30 Sep 1924 Allied Powers Relax Naval Controls on Germany: Following the aftermath of World War I, the Allied Powers officially reduced their naval surveillance and monitoring of Germany, signaling a gradual normalization of diplomatic relations. This decision reflected the improving international climate and Germany's compliance with post-war treaty obligations.