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Major Events of September 2013: 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 2013 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

history

Major Events of September 2013: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Sep 2013 Nelson Mandela Discharged from Hospital: Nelson Mandela, the iconic former President of South Africa and global symbol of peace and reconciliation, was released from Pretoria's hospital, drawing international attention to his health status.
  • 02 Sep 2013 Verizon Acquires Vodafone Wireless Stake: Verizon Communications completed a landmark acquisition of Vodafone's stake in Verizon Wireless for $130 billion, marking the third-largest mergers and acquisitions transaction in corporate history at the time. This strategic move consolidated full ownership of the wireless carrier.
  • 03 Sep 2013 UN Secretary General Challenges US Syria Strike Plans: Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary General, publicly questioned the legality of potential US military action against Syria, asserting that international force can only be legitimately used in self-defense and with explicit UN Security Council authorization.
  • 04 Sep 2013 US Senate Committee Approves Syria Intervention Resolution: The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved a resolution authorizing limited military intervention in Syria, setting the stage for a critical national debate on potential military action in the ongoing Syrian civil war.
  • 05 Sep 2013 Last Witness to Hitler's Suicide Dies: Rochus Misch, the last living witness to Adolf Hitler's suicide in the Fuhrerbunker, passed away at the age of 96, marking the end of a direct connection to one of history's most significant moments.
  • 06 Sep 2013 G-20 Summit Divided on Syria Intervention: World leaders at the G-20 summit remained deeply split over President Obama's proposed military strike against Syria. Russian officials, supported by China and the EU, argued that an attack without UN approval would violate international law, while US Ambassador Samantha Power accused Russia of blocking accountability for potential war crimes.
  • 07 Sep 2013 Tokyo Awarded 2020 Summer Olympics: During the 125th IOC Sessions, Tokyo, Japan was announced as the host city for the 2020 Summer Olympic Games.
  • 08 Sep 2013 Nadal and Williams Triumph at US Open: Rafael Nadal won his second U.S. Open Men's Singles Championship by defeating Novak Djokovic in four sets. Serena Williams claimed her fifth U.S. Open title and seventeenth major singles championship by overcoming Victoria Azarenka in a challenging three-set match.
  • 09 Sep 2013 Assad Denies Chemical Weapons Use: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad categorically denied using chemical weapons during a televised interview, amid international scrutiny and allegations.
  • 10 Sep 2013 Human Rights Watch Report on Syrian Chemical Attacks: Human Rights Watch released a comprehensive report concluding that Syrian government forces were most likely responsible for chemical weapon attacks on two Damascus suburbs on August 21, escalating international tensions in the Syrian conflict.
  • 11 Sep 2013 UN Investigators Expose Syrian Army Atrocities: UN investigators reported continued systematic attacks by the Syrian army, including bombing hospitals and massacring civilians, further documenting the regime's widespread human rights violations.
  • 12 Sep 2013 Voyager 1 Enters Interstellar Space: NASA confirms that its Voyager 1 probe has become the first human-made object to enter interstellar space, marking a historic milestone in space exploration.
  • 13 Sep 2013 Baghdad Mosque Bombing: A devastating bomb attack at a Sunni Mosque in Baghdad, Iraq, resulted in at least 30 fatalities, highlighting ongoing sectarian tensions in the region.
  • 14 Sep 2013 Syria Chemical Weapons Agreement: Russia and the United States reached a landmark diplomatic agreement on Syria's chemical weapons. The deal required Syria to declare the comprehensive size and location of its chemical weapons stockpile within one week, with international inspectors scheduled to arrive by November to expedite the disarmament process.
  • 15 Sep 2013 Japan Shuts Down Last Nuclear Reactor: Japan completely halted its nuclear power generation by shutting down its final nuclear reactor for scheduled inspection, with no immediate plans for restart following the Fukushima Daiichi disaster.
  • 16 Sep 2013 UN Confirms Sarin Gas Use in Syrian Civil War: The United Nations officially confirmed the use of sarin gas in the Ghouta Attacks during the Syrian Civil War, marking a significant escalation of chemical warfare allegations in the conflict.
  • 17 Sep 2013 Historic Communication Between Iran and US Presidents: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani confirmed direct communication with U.S. President Barack Obama via letters, marking a significant diplomatic breakthrough following decades of severed relations since the 1980 Iranian Hostage Crisis.
  • 18 Sep 2013 Obama Calls for Gun Control After Naval Base Shooting: Following a tragic mass shooting at a naval base in Washington, D.C. that claimed 13 lives, President Obama urges Congress to reconsider gun control legislation.
  • 19 Sep 2013 JPMorgan Chase Massive Fine: JPMorgan Chase was fined $920 million for misleading investors and regulators regarding trading losses suffered in 2012, representing a major regulatory action against financial misconduct.
  • 20 Sep 2013 Syrian Civil War Diplomatic Overture: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani signaled a potential diplomatic breakthrough by expressing Iran's readiness to mediate talks between the Syrian government and opposition, potentially offering a path towards resolving the complex Syrian conflict.
  • 21 Sep 2013 Westgate Mall Terrorist Attack in Kenya: Al-Shabaab Islamic militants launched a devastating attack on the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi, Kenya, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least 67 people and injuring approximately 175 others. The siege was a significant terrorist incident that shocked the international community and highlighted the ongoing threat of extremist violence in East Africa.
  • 22 Sep 2013 Westgate Shopping Center Terrorist Attack: A deadly terrorist siege occurred at the Westgate shopping center in Nairobi, Kenya, with Somali militants taking hostages. The attack resulted in 59 confirmed deaths and 175 injuries. Kenyan troops launched a strategic operation to neutralize the militants and end the siege.
  • 23 Sep 2013 Syria Chemical Weapons Diplomatic Development: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad announced he would permit international experts to access chemical weapons sites, marking a significant diplomatic breakthrough in the ongoing Syrian Civil War and potential de-escalation of international tensions.
  • 24 Sep 2013 68th UN General Assembly Begins: The General Debate of the 68th United Nations General Assembly commenced, bringing together world leaders to discuss global challenges, diplomatic relations, and international cooperation.
  • 25 Sep 2013 Westgate Shopping Mall Terrorist Attack in Nairobi: Kenya began a three-day national mourning period for victims of the devastating terrorist attack by Al-Shabaab militants at the Westgate shopping center in Nairobi. The four-day siege resulted in the tragic deaths of 61 civilians and 6 soldiers, marking a significant moment of national grief and resilience.
  • 26 Sep 2013 US and Russia Collaborate on Syria Chemical Weapons Resolution: Russia and the United States reached an agreement to draft a United Nations Security Council resolution targeting Syria's chemical weapons, marking a significant diplomatic breakthrough in addressing the Syrian conflict.
  • 27 Sep 2013 Malala Yousafzai Wins Nobel Peace Prize: Malala Yousafzai, a renowned Pakistani activist for female education, is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, recognizing her courageous advocacy for girls' right to education and her global impact against educational inequality.
  • 28 Sep 2013 50th Anniversary of March on Washington: Tens of thousands gathered in Washington D.C. to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the historic March on Washington and Martin Luther King Jr.'s iconic 'I Have a Dream' speech, reflecting on the civil rights movement's enduring legacy.
  • 29 Sep 2013 Syrian Civil War: Government Airstrike on School: Syrian government warplanes allegedly attacked a secondary school in Raqqa, a rebel-held city, resulting in at least 16 civilian deaths. Activists reported the incident, highlighting the ongoing brutality of the Syrian civil war.
  • 30 Sep 2013 Deadly Car Bomb Attacks in Baghdad: A devastating series of 14 car bomb attacks targeted Shi'ite neighborhoods in Baghdad, resulting in the tragic loss of 54 lives. This incident highlights the ongoing sectarian violence and instability in Iraq following the U.S. military withdrawal.