previous year1969
1970197119721973197419751976197719781979
1980next year

Major Events of September 1975: 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 1975 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

history

Major Events of September 1975: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Sep 1975 First African-American Four-Star General: USAF General Daniel 'Chappie' James, Jr., makes history by becoming the first African-American military officer to achieve four-star rank, breaking significant racial barriers in the U.S. military.
  • 03 Sep 1975 Viking 2 Mars Mission Launch: NASA launched Viking 2, a backup spacecraft originally scheduled for a July mission, as part of its ambitious Mars exploration program. This mission represented a critical step in understanding the Red Planet's potential for supporting life.
  • 04 Sep 1975 Sinai Interim Agreement Signed: The Sinai Interim Agreement was signed in Geneva, establishing a 25-kilometer wide buffer zone in the Sinai Peninsula to be patrolled by United Nations Emergency Force troops. The agreement was signed by Major General Taha Magdoub representing Egypt and Major General Herzl Shafir representing Israel, with the ambassadors of both nations present. This diplomatic accord aimed to reduce tensions and create a demilitarized zone between Egyptian and Israeli forces following previous conflicts.
  • 05 Sep 1975 Sinai Interim Agreement: Egypt and Israel signed the Sinai Interim Agreement, establishing a 25-kilometer wide buffer zone in the Sinai Peninsula to be monitored by United Nations Emergency Force troops, representing a significant diplomatic breakthrough in Middle Eastern relations.
  • 06 Sep 1975 Devastating Earthquake in Eastern Turkey: A severe magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck the Lice area in eastern Turkey, causing widespread destruction. The catastrophic event resulted in over 2,000 fatalities, approximately 3,400 injuries, and extensive property damage in the Diyarbakır province, primarily affecting the town of Lice.
  • 07 Sep 1975 Manuel Orantes Wins US Open Tennis Championship: Spanish tennis player Manuel Orantes dramatically upset top-seeded Jimmy Connors to win the US Open Men's Tennis Championship, defeating him in straight sets 6-4, 6-3, 6-4.
  • 08 Sep 1975 Leonard Matlovich Challenges Military's Gay Ban: US Air Force Tech Sergeant Leonard Matlovich, a decorated Vietnam War veteran, appears on the cover of Time magazine, publicly declaring his homosexuality and challenging the military's discriminatory policies against LGBTQ+ service members.
  • 09 Sep 1975 Viking 2 Mars Mission Launch: NASA launches Viking 2, the second spacecraft in the Viking program designed to explore Mars. This mission was part of humanity's early robotic exploration of the Red Planet, aimed at studying Martian geology, atmosphere, and potential for life.
  • 10 Sep 1975 Kiss Releases Groundbreaking Live Album 'Alive!': The American rock band Kiss released their landmark live album 'Alive!' on September 10, 1975. This double album would become a pivotal moment in the band's career, capturing their explosive live performance energy and helping to establish them as one of the most dynamic rock acts of the 1970s. The album featured extended versions of their early hits and became a commercial breakthrough, significantly boosting the band's popularity.
  • 11 Sep 1975 London Hilton Hotel Bombing by IRA: On September 11, 1975, the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) detonated a powerful bomb at the London Hilton hotel on Park Lane. The terrorist attack resulted in two fatalities and injured 63 people, demonstrating the IRA's campaign of violence during the Northern Ireland conflict known as 'The Troubles'.
  • 13 Sep 1975 Hurricane Eloise Devastates Caribbean and United States: Hurricane Eloise was a powerful and destructive tropical cyclone that caused significant loss of life and widespread damage across the Caribbean region and the United States. The hurricane resulted in 71 fatalities, highlighting the severe impact of extreme weather events on vulnerable populations.
  • 14 Sep 1975 Pope Paul VI Canonizes Elizabeth Ann Seton: Pope Paul VI officially canonized Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton as the first American-born saint in the Roman Catholic Church, marking a significant milestone in American Catholic history. Seton, a pioneering educator and religious leader, was recognized for her profound spiritual contributions and her work in establishing Catholic schools in the United States.
  • 15 Sep 1975 First College Football Holy War: Notre Dame defeated Boston College 17-3 in the inaugural College Football Holy War, marking a significant moment in the historic rivalry between these two prominent collegiate football programs.
  • 16 Sep 1975 Portugal Approves Democratic Constitution: A national referendum in Portugal successfully approved a new constitution, marking a pivotal moment in the country's transition to a democratic system after years of authoritarian rule.
  • 17 Sep 1975 Space Shuttle Enterprise First Rollout: On September 17, 1975, NASA unveiled the first space shuttle orbiter, Enterprise (OV-101), marking a pivotal moment in space exploration history. This prototype shuttle, named after the iconic starship from Star Trek, was designed as a test vehicle to validate the shuttle's atmospheric flight and landing capabilities. The rollout at Rockwell International's facility in Palmdale, California, represented a significant milestone in the Space Shuttle program, which would revolutionize space travel for the next three decades.
  • 18 Sep 1975 Heiress / bank robber Patricia Campbell Hearst captured by FBI in San Francisco
  • 19 Sep 1975 Indonesian Invasion of East Timor: On September 19, 1975, Indonesia initiated a military intervention in Portuguese East Timor (now Timor-Leste), marking the beginning of a complex and brutal occupation that would last until 1999. This invasion was part of Indonesia's strategic geopolitical expansion during the Cold War era, with significant implications for regional stability and human rights.
  • 20 Sep 1975 David Bowie's "Fame" Tops Charts: David Bowie's hit single "Fame" reaches number one on the music charts and maintains the top position for two consecutive weeks, showcasing the artist's significant musical influence during the mid-1970s.
  • 21 Sep 1975 Sultan Yahya Petra Becomes Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia: Sultan Yahya Petra ibni Almarhum Sultan Ibrahim Petra was inaugurated as the 6th Yang di-Pertuan Agong (Supreme Head of State) of Malaysia. This is a significant constitutional monarchy transition, representing the rotational leadership among Malaysian sultans.
  • 22 Sep 1975 Final Executions in Francoist Spain: The Spanish government under Francisco Franco executes five members of ETA (Basque separatist group) and FRAP (Revolutionary Antifascist Patriotic Front), which would become the last executions carried out during the Francoist regime.
  • 24 Sep 1975 First Southwest Face Ascent of Mount Everest: A groundbreaking mountaineering expedition successfully reached the summit of Mount Everest via its Southwest Face, marking a significant achievement in alpine climbing history. This route was considered technically challenging and had never been attempted before, representing a major milestone in high-altitude mountaineering.
  • 25 Sep 1975 Jackie Wilson Suffers Debilitating Heart Attack: Renowned R&B and rock and roll singer Jackie Wilson suffered a massive heart attack during a performance in New York City, which left him in a prolonged, terminal coma lasting nine years. This tragic medical event effectively ended the career of one of the most dynamic performers of the 1950s and 1960s, known for his energetic stage presence and influential musical style.
  • 26 Sep 1975 Historic Late-Night Baseball Doubleheader: The Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets played an extraordinary doubleheader that extended into the early morning hours, concluding at 3:15 AM. This unusual marathon baseball game is a notable event in sports history, demonstrating the endurance and dedication of players and fans.
  • 27 Sep 1975 Last Execution in Franco's Spain: On September 27, 1975, Spain conducted its final executions during the Franco regime, marking a pivotal moment in the country's transition away from authoritarian rule. Five political prisoners were executed by firing squad, including members of the Basque separatist group ETA and revolutionary movements. These executions, despite international condemnation, represented the last official use of capital punishment in Spain before the country's democratic reforms.
  • 28 Sep 1975 Women's Military Academy Admission Bill: A significant legislative bill is passed authorizing the admission of women to United States military academies, marking a pivotal moment in gender equality in military education.
  • 29 Sep 1975 First Black-Owned Television Station in the United States: WGPR-TV in Detroit, Michigan, made history by becoming the first black-owned-and-operated television station in the United States. This groundbreaking milestone represented a significant moment in media representation and ownership for African Americans, breaking barriers in the television broadcasting industry.
  • 30 Sep 1975 First Flight of AH-64 Apache Helicopter: The Hughes Aircraft Company (later McDonnell-Douglas, now part of Boeing) successfully completed the maiden flight of the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter. This groundbreaking military aircraft would go on to become a cornerstone of modern military aviation and combat operations.