Major Events of September 1927: 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 1927 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of September 1927: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 Sep 1927 Gene Rhodes Basketball Player and Coach Death: Gene Rhodes, a notable basketball player and coach, passed away on September 2, 1927. His contributions to the early development of basketball as both a player and mentor represent an important transition period in the sport's emerging professional era.
02 Sep 1927 Babe Ruth Hits Historic 400th Home Run: Baseball legend Babe Ruth of the New York Yankees achieved a monumental milestone by hitting his 400th career home run, becoming the first Major League Baseball player to reach this extraordinary feat. This achievement further solidified Ruth's status as one of the most iconic and transformative athletes in sports history.
03 Sep 1927 Tony De Capua Mass Shooting in Youngstown, Ohio: On September 3, 1927, a tragic mass shooting occurred in Youngstown, Ohio, when 43-year-old Tony De Capua returned home from work and embarked on a devastating killing spree. Using a .32-caliber semi-automatic pistol, he murdered his wife, four daughters, and two grandchildren at his residence at 443 Marion Avenue. The rampage continued as he also killed a neighbor and wounded his daughter-in-law, a random passerby, and a city policeman. The incident concluded when the policeman returned fire and ultimately subdued De Capua. Following the incident, De Capua was deemed mentally unfit to stand trial and was committed to the Ohio Hospital for the Criminally Insane in Lima.
04 Sep 1927 Nagpur Riots of 1927: A significant communal violence outbreak occurred in Nagpur, India, resulting in twenty-two fatalities and over one hundred injuries. These riots highlighted the deep social tensions and communal conflicts prevalent in India during the late colonial period.
05 Sep 1927 Epic Baseball Marathon: Red Sox vs Yankees: In an extraordinary baseball game, the Boston Red Sox defeated the New York Yankees in a grueling 18-inning match with a final score of 12-11. This marathon game showcased exceptional endurance and competitive spirit, highlighting the intense rivalry between these two legendary baseball teams.
06 Sep 1927 Patent for Pioneering Communication Technology: U.S. Army Major General George Owen Squier was granted U.S. Patent No. 1,641,608 for his groundbreaking 'wired radio' invention, a technological precursor to modern Muzak and cable television systems.
07 Sep 1927 First Fully Electronic Television System: Philo Farnsworth achieved a breakthrough in television technology by developing the first fully electronic television system, revolutionizing visual communication and media transmission.
08 Sep 1927 Japanese Troops Withdraw from Shandong: On September 8, 1927, Japanese troops began their withdrawal from China's Shandong province, concluding a three-month occupation of Jinan. This event was part of the complex geopolitical tensions between Japan and China during the early 20th century, reflecting the ongoing territorial and political struggles in the region.
09 Sep 1927 Germany's Commitment to Peace at League of Nations: German Foreign Minister Gustav Stresemann publicly pledged Germany's support for international efforts to outlaw war during a meeting of the League of Nations in Geneva, reflecting the post-World War I diplomatic efforts towards global peace.
10 Sep 1927 International Lawn Tennis Challenge: France Breaks American Streak: In the International Lawn Tennis Challenge, French player Henri Cochet defeats Bill Johnson with a score of 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, securing a 3-2 victory for France and ending seven years of American tennis dominance.
11 Sep 1927 Babe Ruth Approaches Historic Home Run Record: Baseball legend Babe Ruth hit his 50th home run of the 1927 season, positioning himself on the cusp of an extraordinary milestone of 60 home runs - a record that would stand as nearly mythical in baseball history for decades to come.
12 Sep 1927 Kellogg's Stance on Panama Canal Sovereignty: U.S. Secretary of State Frank B. Kellogg delivered a strong diplomatic message to the League of Nations, asserting unequivocal American sovereignty over the Panama Canal. He explicitly warned that the United States would not recognize or comply with any World Court ruling regarding Canal Zone ownership, emphasizing the nation's absolute control over this strategic international waterway.
13 Sep 1927 Devastating Tsunami in Nakamura, Japan: A catastrophic undersea earthquake triggered a massive 10-foot (3.0 m) tsunami that struck the coastal town of Nakamura, resulting in the tragic loss of over 1,000 lives. This natural disaster highlighted the destructive power of seismic events in the Pacific region.
14 Sep 1927 Devastating Japanese Earthquake: A significant underwater earthquake struck Japan, resulting in the tragic loss of over 100 human lives. The seismic event caused widespread destruction, likely triggering tsunamis and significant infrastructure damage in the affected coastal regions.
16 Sep 1927 Rene Lacoste Wins US Lawn Tennis Championship: French tennis legend René Lacoste defeated American tennis star Bill Tilden in a memorable match at the US Lawn Tennis Association championship, further solidifying his reputation as one of the premier tennis players of the 1920s. This victory was part of Lacoste's remarkable career, during which he would later become known not just for his tennis prowess but also for founding the iconic Lacoste clothing brand.
17 Sep 1927 Charles Lindbergh's San Francisco Visit: Charles Lindbergh, the famous aviator who completed the first solo transatlantic flight earlier that year, visited San Francisco, likely drawing significant public attention and celebrating his historic achievement.
18 Sep 1927 Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) Launches: The Columbia Phonographic Broadcasting System, later known as CBS, is formed and begins broadcasting with 47 radio stations, marking a significant milestone in American media history.
19 Sep 1927 Sandinista Attack on U.S. Marine Garrison: In a significant military engagement during the Nicaraguan conflict, Sandinista forces launched a lightning attack on the U.S. Marine garrison at Telpaneca, near the Rio Coco. The assault resulted in the death of two U.S. Marines, highlighting the ongoing tensions in the region.
20 Sep 1927 Babe Ruth Sets Single-Season Home Run Record: On September 20, 1927, New York Yankees legendary baseball player Babe Ruth hit his record-breaking 60th home run of the season, striking the ball off pitcher Tom Zachry. This milestone was unprecedented in baseball history and solidified Ruth's status as one of the greatest sluggers of all time.
22 Sep 1927 Tunney Defeats Dempsey in Famous 'Long Count' Fight: Gene Tunney defeats Jack Dempsey in a historic 10-round unanimous decision at Soldiers Field, Chicago, retaining the world heavyweight boxing title. The fight drew a massive crowd of 104,943 spectators and generated a gate of $2,858,660. This match is famously known as the 'Long Count' fight due to a controversial moment when Dempsey was slow to return to a neutral corner after knocking Tunney down.
23 Sep 1927 Release of 'Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans': F.W. Murnau's groundbreaking silent film 'Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans' is released, starring Janet Gaynor and George O'Brien. The film is a masterpiece of the silent film era, celebrated for its innovative cinematography, emotional depth, and poetic storytelling about love, temptation, and redemption. It won multiple awards at the first Academy Awards ceremony, including Best Unique and Artistic Picture, and is considered one of the most influential films in cinema history.
24 Sep 1927 Toronto Maple Leafs Officially Established: The NHL's Toronto Saint Patricks hockey team underwent a significant rebranding, officially becoming the Toronto Maple Leafs. This name change would mark the beginning of one of the most iconic franchises in professional hockey.
25 Sep 1927 League of Nations Slavery Abolition Treaty: The League of Nations Slavery Commission signed a landmark international treaty comprehensively abolishing all known forms of slavery, marking a significant milestone in human rights and global humanitarian efforts.
26 Sep 1927 St. James Theatre Opens in Broadway's Theater District: The historic St. James Theatre, a landmark Broadway venue, officially opened its doors at 246 West 44th Street in the heart of New York City's Theater District. This prestigious performance space would go on to become one of the most significant theaters in the Broadway theater community, hosting numerous acclaimed plays and musicals throughout the 20th century.
27 Sep 1927 Fifth Solvay Conference: Copenhagen Interpretation Milestone: In October 1927, the Fifth Solvay Conference was held, marking a pivotal moment in quantum mechanics. During this conference, scientists formally established and accepted the Copenhagen interpretation, a fundamental framework for understanding quantum mechanical phenomena developed by Niels Bohr and Werner Heisenberg.
29 Sep 1927 Babe Ruth's Baseball Grand Slam Record: Baseball legend Babe Ruth tied the Major League Baseball record by hitting grand slams in consecutive games, showcasing his extraordinary batting prowess and cementing his status as one of the most remarkable players in baseball history.
30 Sep 1927 Babe Ruth Sets Major League Home Run Record: On September 30, 1927, Babe Ruth of the New York Yankees made baseball history by becoming the first player to hit 60 home runs in a single Major League Baseball season. This remarkable achievement was accomplished against pitcher Tom Zachary, solidifying Ruth's status as one of the most legendary athletes of his era.