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Major Events of September 2006: 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 2006 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of September 2006: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Sep 2006 Sudan's Darfur Offensive: Sudan launches a major military offensive in Darfur, defying UN Resolution 1706 which called for a 20,000-strong UN peacekeeping force. The conflict results in over 20 deaths and displaces approximately 1,000 people.
  • 02 Sep 2006 Abu Ghraib Prison Transferred to Iraqi Control: The United States military officially handed over the Abu Ghraib prison to the Iraqi government, marking a significant milestone in Iraq's post-invasion sovereignty.
  • 03 Sep 2006 Al-Qaeda Operative Captured in Iraq: Iraq's National Security Advisor Mouwaffak al-Rubaie announces the capture of Hamed Jumaa Farid al-Saeedi, the second-most senior al-Qaeda figure in Iraq, as part of ongoing counterterrorism efforts.
  • 04 Sep 2006 Death of Steve Irwin: Australian zoologist and television personality Steve Irwin tragically died at age 44 after being fatally pierced by a stingray's barb while filming a documentary on Australia's Great Barrier Reef. Known globally as the 'Crocodile Hunter', Irwin was a passionate wildlife conservationist who dedicated his life to educating the public about animal preservation.
  • 05 Sep 2006 2006 Israel-Lebanon Conflict: A significant military conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, characterized by intense fighting and international diplomatic tensions. The conflict resulted in substantial casualties and widespread destruction.
  • 06 Sep 2006 DUPE: Transfer of Terror Suspects to Guantanamo Bay: President Bush announced the transfer of 14 high-level terror suspects from secret foreign prisons to the Guantanamo Bay detention center in Cuba.
  • 07 Sep 2006 Tony Blair's Resignation Announcement: British Prime Minister Tony Blair announced his intention to step down within the next 12 months, marking a significant moment in British political history, though he did not specify an exact date.
  • 08 Sep 2006 US Senate Finds No Saddam-Al Qaeda Link: The United States Senate concluded that there was no substantive evidence of a formal connection between Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq and al-Qaeda leadership prior to the 2003 Iraq War, contradicting earlier claims used to justify the invasion.
  • 09 Sep 2006 Intense Fighting in Sri Lanka: The Sri Lankan Army reported significant casualties in a conflict with Tamil Tiger rebels: 28 soldiers killed, 119 wounded, with approximately 150 Tamil Tigers also losing their lives in the battle at Jaffna.
  • 10 Sep 2006 Al-Qaeda Leader's Call for Resistance: Ayman al-Zawahiri, al-Qaeda's second-in-command, issues a provocative statement on the eve of the 9/11 anniversary, calling for Muslims to resist the United States.
  • 11 Sep 2006 5th Anniversary of 9/11 Commemorations: The United States solemnly remembered the fifth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. New York City leaders, families of victims, and citizens participated in memorial speeches and moments of silence.
  • 12 Sep 2006 Apple Launches iTunes Movie Store: Apple Computer announced the iTunes movie store, marking a significant milestone in digital media distribution. The initial offering included 75 Disney company movies available for download, with film prices ranging from US$10 to $16, revolutionizing how consumers access and purchase digital film content.
  • 13 Sep 2006 Sectarian Violence in Baghdad: A grim discovery of 65 tortured and executed Iraqi citizens scattered throughout Baghdad underscored the intense sectarian violence plaguing Iraq during this period.
  • 14 Sep 2006 Senate Approves Terrorist Detainee Rights Bill: The U.S. Senate approved a bill providing more rights to terrorist detainees. The White House and CIA agreed to sign the bill, effectively ending a classified CIA interrogation program that had been challenged by a recent Supreme Court decision.
  • 15 Sep 2006 Pope Benedict XVI Islam Controversy: Pope Benedict XVI faced widespread criticism in the Islamic world for remarks quoting Byzantine Emperor Manuel II Palaiologos about Muhammad and Islam, triggering street protests in parts of South Asia.
  • 16 Sep 2006 Sectarian Violence in Baghdad: Baghdad police discovered 47 bodies, most bound and shot, indicating escalating sectarian violence potentially aimed at inciting a civil war in Iraq.
  • 17 Sep 2006 Dawson College Shooting: Kimveer Gill conducted a tragic shooting at Dawson College in Montreal, killing one student and wounding 19 others before taking his own life, shocking the Canadian public.
  • 18 Sep 2006 Pope Benedict XVI Islam Controversy: Pope Benedict XVI's controversial remarks sparked international tensions, leading to condemnation from Islamic leaders and potential protests across the Muslim world.
  • 19 Sep 2006 Thai Military Coup: Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was removed from power as the Royal Thai Army staged a coup d'état, declaring a state of emergency in Bangkok and effectively seizing control of the government.
  • 20 Sep 2006 Thailand Military Coup: General Sonthi Boonyaratglin led a military coup in Thailand, ousting Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and declaring that a new civilian prime minister would be elected within two weeks.
  • 21 Sep 2006 Thai Military Coup in Bangkok: The Thai military staged a coup in Bangkok, revoking the Constitution and declaring martial law. This significant political upheaval disrupted the democratic governance of Thailand, removing Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra from power and suspending normal political activities.
  • 22 Sep 2006 Transrapid Maglev Train Disaster in Germany: A catastrophic accident occurred on a test track in Lathen, Germany, when a Transrapid Maglev train collided with a maintenance vehicle. This tragic incident resulted in 23 fatalities and 10 serious injuries, marking the first recorded fatal accident involving a Maglev train technology.
  • 23 Sep 2006 Car Bomb Attack in Baghdad: A devastating car bombing at a fuel station in Baghdad's Sadr City killed at least 26 people and injured many others, highlighting the ongoing violence in Iraq during the insurgency.
  • 24 Sep 2006 U.S. Intelligence Report on Iraq War Impact: The New York Times revealed a U.S. National Intelligence Estimate suggesting that the Iraq War had significantly escalated the global terrorist threat, challenging the original justifications for the military intervention.
  • 25 Sep 2006 Louisiana Superdome Reopens After Hurricane Katrina: The Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans was reopened 13 months after Hurricane Katrina, featuring the largest re-roofing project in the United States. The stadium underwent extensive repairs to restore its structural integrity and functionality.
  • 26 Sep 2006 Thai Military Coup: Thai military stages a coup in Bangkok, suspending the Constitution and declaring martial law, dramatically altering the country's political landscape.
  • 27 Sep 2006 Congress Approves Terrorist Detainee Legislation: The U.S. House of Representatives and Senate passed legislation granting President Bush authority to detain and interrogate terrorist suspects through military commissions, a controversial move in the post-9/11 era of national security policy.
  • 28 Sep 2006 Al-Qaida Leadership Change in Iraq: Abu Hamza al-Muhajir becomes the new leader of al-Qaida in Iraq, issuing an audiotape urging Muslims to transform Ramadan into a 'month of holy war', signaling potential escalation of militant activities.
  • 29 Sep 2006 Gol Flight 1907 Mid-Air Collision: A tragic aviation disaster occurred when Gol Transportes Aereos Flight 1907, a Boeing 737-800, collided with an Embraer Legacy business jet over the Amazon Rainforest, resulting in the deaths of all 154 passengers and crew. The incident triggered a significant Brazilian aviation crisis and investigation.
  • 30 Sep 2006 Mumbai Train Bombings Investigation: Indian police accused Pakistan's ISI of orchestrating the Mumbai train bombings that killed nearly 200 people in July, implicating the Lashkar-e-Taiba militant group.