Major Events of September 1928: 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 1928 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of September 1928: Key Historical Moments from the Month


  • 01 Sep 1928 Coronation of King Zog I of Albania: Ahmet Muhtar Bej Zogolli is formally crowned as King Zog I, transforming Albania from a republic to a monarchy. This significant political transition marks a pivotal moment in Albanian history, establishing a new system of governance under royal leadership.
  • 02 Sep 1928 King Zog's Inaugural Reforms in Albania: On September 2, 1928, King Zog I of Albania demonstrated his initial approach to governance by implementing two significant symbolic actions: he granted amnesty to 2,000 prisoners and awarded a one-month bonus salary to all civil servants. These early decrees signaled his intent to establish goodwill among the population and strengthen the morale of government employees during the early years of his monarchy.
  • 03 Sep 1928 Alexander Fleming Discovers Penicillin: Scottish biologist Alexander Fleming accidentally discovered penicillin at St Mary's Hospital in London when he returned from a summer holiday and found that a mold (Penicillium notatum) had contaminated one of his bacterial cultures. Upon careful observation, he noticed that the mold had killed off the surrounding bacteria, marking a groundbreaking moment in medical science that would revolutionize healthcare and save millions of lives.
  • 04 Sep 1928 Birth of Dick York: Dick York, a prominent American actor best known for his role as Darrin Stephens in the popular television sitcom *Bewitched*, was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana. York would become a significant figure in 1960s television comedy, though his career was later impacted by chronic health issues.
  • 05 Sep 1928 Kostaq Kota Assumes Prime Ministership of Albania: On September 5, 1928, Kostaq Kota was appointed as the Prime Minister of Albania, marking a significant moment in the country's political leadership during the interwar period. Kota's appointment came at a time of political transition and emerging national identity for Albania.
  • 06 Sep 1928 USSR Signs Briand-Kellogg Pact: The Soviet Union formally signed the Briand-Kellogg Pact, an international agreement aimed at renouncing war as an instrument of national policy. This multilateral treaty, named after U.S. Secretary of State Frank B. Kellogg and French Foreign Minister Aristide Briand, represented a significant diplomatic effort to prevent future global conflicts in the aftermath of World War I.
  • 07 Sep 1928 Donald Henderson's Birth: Donald Henderson, a renowned physician and epidemiologist, was born in Lakewood, Ohio. He would later become famous for his critical role in the global eradication of smallpox, a monumental achievement in public health history.
  • 08 Sep 1928 Discovery of Penicillin by Alexander Fleming: On September 8, 1928, Scottish scientist Alexander Fleming made a groundbreaking discovery at St. Mary's Hospital in London. While examining petri dishes containing Staphylococcus bacteria, he noticed that a mold (later identified as Penicillium notatum) had contaminated one of his cultures and was preventing bacterial growth. This accidental observation would lead to the development of penicillin, the world's first antibiotic, which would revolutionize modern medicine and save millions of lives by effectively treating bacterial infections.
  • 09 Sep 1928 Birth of Julian 'Cannonball' Adderley: Julian 'Cannonball' Adderley, a renowned American jazz alto saxophonist, was born. He would become a pivotal figure in the jazz scene, known for his soulful playing style and significant contributions to hard bop and soul jazz genres.
  • 10 Sep 1928 Argentina Nationalizes Oil Industry: The Argentine government implemented a landmark policy of nationalizing its oil industry, a significant economic decision that would have far-reaching implications for the country's resource management and economic strategy.
  • 11 Sep 1928 Ty Cobb's Final Batting Appearance: Baseball legend Ty Cobb makes his last hitting appearance in a game, popping out against the Yankees. This moment marks the end of an era for one of baseball's most iconic and controversial players.
  • 12 Sep 1928 Deadly Okeechobee Hurricane Strikes Guadeloupe: On September 12, 1928, the devastating Okeechobee hurricane made landfall in Guadeloupe, causing catastrophic damage and resulting in the tragic loss of over 1,200 lives. This powerful Category 4 hurricane was one of the deadliest tropical cyclones in the Caribbean's recorded history, leaving widespread destruction in its wake and highlighting the vulnerability of island communities to extreme weather events.
  • 13 Sep 1928 Devastating Okeechobee Hurricane Strikes Puerto Rico: The Okeechobee Hurricane was a catastrophic Category 4 tropical cyclone that devastated Puerto Rico, resulting in 312 fatalities and leaving tens of thousands of residents homeless. This natural disaster caused widespread destruction and significant humanitarian challenges for the island's population.
  • 14 Sep 1928 France and Germany Negotiate European Reparations Commission: On September 14, 1928, France and Germany reached a diplomatic agreement to establish a joint European commission. The primary objective of this commission was to definitively determine the reparations owed by Germany following World War I, including establishing a precise financial figure, payment methodology, and payment schedule. This negotiation represented a critical step in post-World War I economic reconciliation between two historically antagonistic European powers.
  • 15 Sep 1928 Discovery of Penicillin: Sir Alexander Fleming, a Scottish scientist, made a groundbreaking discovery in his laboratory at St. Mary's Hospital in London. While examining bacterial cultures, he noticed a unique mold that was killing the surrounding bacteria. This accidental observation would later revolutionize modern medicine, leading to the development of antibiotics and saving millions of lives worldwide.
  • 16 Sep 1928 Okeechobee Hurricane of 1928: A catastrophic hurricane struck West Palm Beach and Lake Okeechobee, Florida, causing massive destruction and loss of life. The storm resulted in approximately 3,000 fatalities, making it one of the deadliest hurricanes in U.S. history. The hurricane's immense power and devastating storm surge overwhelmed local communities, leading to widespread flooding and infrastructure damage.
  • 17 Sep 1928 1928 Okeechobee Hurricane: Devastating Natural Disaster: The Okeechobee Hurricane made landfall near West Palm Beach, Florida, with catastrophic winds of 145 mph. The hurricane destroyed over 1,711 homes and caused extensive flooding around Lake Okeechobee, resulting in a tragic loss of life with more than 2,500 fatalities. This event is considered the third deadliest natural disaster in United States history.
  • 18 Sep 1928 Walt Disney Trademark for Mickey Mouse: Walt Disney successfully registers the trademark for his iconic character Mickey Mouse, marking a significant milestone in animation and entertainment history.
  • 19 Sep 1928 Adam West: Iconic Batman Actor Born: Adam West was born, who would become globally famous for his portrayal of Batman in the 1960s television series. His campy, comedic interpretation of the superhero became a cultural phenomenon and defined a generation's perception of the character.
  • 20 Sep 1928 Al Smith Campaign Speech in Oklahoma City: Al Smith, the Democratic presidential candidate, delivered a significant campaign speech in Oklahoma City addressing religious tolerance and challenging prejudices against his Catholic faith during the 1928 presidential election campaign.
  • 21 Sep 1928 Swedish Parliamentary Election: The second and final round of elections for the lower house of the Swedish Parliament took place. The Social Democratic Party, led by Per Albin Hansson, maintained its position as the largest party despite losing 14 seats, securing 90 out of 230 seats.
  • 22 Sep 1928 Discovery of Penicillin by Alexander Fleming: On September 22, 1928, Scottish scientist Alexander Fleming made a groundbreaking discovery at St. Mary's Hospital in London. While examining petri dishes containing Staphylococcus bacteria, he noticed that a mold (later identified as Penicillium notatum) had contaminated one of his cultures and was preventing bacterial growth. This accidental observation would lead to the development of penicillin, the world's first antibiotic, which would revolutionize modern medicine and save millions of lives by effectively treating bacterial infections.
  • 23 Sep 1928 Tragic Madrid Theater Fire: On September 23, 1928, a devastating fire broke out in a theater in Madrid, Spain, resulting in the tragic loss of over 300 lives. The incident highlighted significant safety concerns in public entertainment venues during the early 20th century and prompted subsequent improvements in fire prevention and emergency exit protocols.
  • 24 Sep 1928 Devastating Okeechobee Hurricane Death Toll Estimated: The Palm Beach County Red Cross chairman provided a grim assessment of the human cost of the Okeechobee hurricane, estimating between 2,000 and 2,500 fatalities. This catastrophic natural disaster represented one of the deadliest hurricanes in Florida's history, underscoring the region's vulnerability to extreme weather events.
  • 25 Sep 1928 Founding of Motorola: Paul Galvin and his brother Joseph officially incorporated the Galvin Manufacturing Corporation, which would later become the globally renowned technology company Motorola. This marked the beginning of a significant American electronics and telecommunications enterprise that would play a crucial role in technological innovation throughout the 20th century.
  • 26 Sep 1928 Pacific Settlement of International Disputes Act Concluded: The General Act for the Pacific Settlement of International Disputes was formally concluded in Geneva, representing a significant diplomatic effort to establish peaceful mechanisms for resolving international conflicts through negotiation and arbitration rather than military confrontation.
  • 27 Sep 1928 Hitler's Public Speech Ban in Prussia: On September 27, 1928, Prussian authorities imposed a significant restriction on Adolf Hitler by forbidding him from delivering public speeches. This early suppression was an attempt to limit the Nazi leader's growing political influence and inflammatory rhetoric during the tumultuous Weimar Republic period.
  • 28 Sep 1928 Discovery of Penicillin: Sir Alexander Fleming, a Scottish medical researcher, notices a bacteria-killing mold growing in his laboratory, which would later revolutionize modern medicine by leading to the development of penicillin, the first antibiotic that could effectively treat numerous bacterial infections.
  • 29 Sep 1928 US Recognizes Kuomintang Government: The United States officially granted full diplomatic recognition to the Kuomintang government led by Chiang Kai-shek, signaling a major shift in US-China diplomatic relations during a pivotal period in Chinese political history.
  • 30 Sep 1928 Birth of Elie Wiesel: Elie Wiesel, a renowned Romanian-born professor, Holocaust survivor, author, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, was born in Sighet. He would become a powerful voice for Holocaust remembrance and human rights.