Major Events of September 2018: 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 2018 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of September 2018: Key Historical Moments from the Month
- 01 Sep 2018 Memorial Service for Senator John McCain: A national memorial service was held at the Washington National Cathedral to honor the late Senator John McCain, with various dignitaries gathering to pay tribute to his life and legacy of public service.
- 02 Sep 2018 Catastrophic Fire at Brazil's National Museum: A massive fire completely destroyed the Paço de São Cristovão, home to the National Museum of Brazil in Rio de Janeiro. The devastating blaze resulted in the loss of irreplaceable archaeological and ethnological artifacts, including the remains of Luzia Woman, Marajoara vase, and Egyptian mummies.
- 03 Sep 2018 Reuters Journalists Sentenced in Myanmar: Two Reuters journalists, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, were sentenced to seven years in prison for violating the Official Secrets Act while investigating reports of mass graves in Inn Din, sparking international condemnation of press freedom restrictions.
- 04 Sep 2018 Typhoon Jebi Devastates Japan: Typhoon Jebi, the strongest typhoon to hit Japan in 25 years, caused significant destruction, killing at least 11 people and injuring over 300.
- 05 Sep 2018 Anonymous Trump Administration Official Criticizes President in NYT Op-Ed: The New York Times published an anonymous editorial by a senior Trump administration official, criticizing President Donald Trump and alleging that unnamed officials were working internally to stabilize the administration despite the president's perceived challenges.
- 06 Sep 2018 Hokkaido Earthquake Disaster: A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck Hokkaido, Japan's largest island, causing significant destruction. The disaster resulted in 16 confirmed deaths, 120 injuries, and 26 people reported missing, highlighting the region's seismic vulnerability.
- 07 Sep 2018 Basra Protesters Storm Iranian Consulate: Demonstrators in Basra, Iraq, stormed the Iranian consulate in a dramatic protest against political corruption. Protesters damaged consulate offices, shouted anti-Iranian slogans, and briefly took workers hostage at a nearby oilfield, highlighting deep political tensions.
- 08 Sep 2018 Hokkaido Earthquake Tragedy: The devastating 2018 Hokkaido Eastern Iburi earthquake's death toll rises to 39, with numerous people still reported missing. The earthquake caused significant destruction and loss of life in the region.
- 09 Sep 2018 Les Moonves Resigns from CBS: CBS Corporation CEO Les Moonves resigns amid sexual misconduct allegations. As part of the resolution, CBS will donate $20 Million to Me Too movement organizations, potentially funded from Moonves' severance package.
- 10 Sep 2018 Hurricane Florence Intensifies: Hurricane Florence escalated to a Category 4 hurricane, posing a significant threat to the U.S. East Coast, particularly the Carolinas. Preparations included the potential evacuation of approximately 1 million South Carolina residents in anticipation of a potentially catastrophic landfall.
- 11 Sep 2018 9/11 Memorial Commemoration: An official ceremony was held to honor those who lost their lives in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The event emphasized the values of liberty and freedom, and recognized the dedication of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees in ensuring aviation safety.
- 12 Sep 2018 Suicide Bombing in Afghanistan: A devastating suicide attack in eastern Afghanistan targeted protesters, resulting in 68 fatalities and over 120 injuries. The attack occurred amid escalating violence, with authorities warning of potential intensification as parliamentary elections approach.
- 13 Sep 2018 French President Acknowledges Algerian War Torture: French President Emmanuel Macron officially acknowledged systematic torture during the 1950s-60s Algerian War of Independence and called for opening archives related to disappeared individuals, including activist Maurice Audin.
- 14 Sep 2018 Paul Manafort Pleads Guilty in Mueller Investigation: Paul Manafort, former campaign chairman for Donald Trump, pleaded guilty to money laundering and foreign lobbying charges brought by Special Counsel Robert Mueller. As part of the plea agreement, Manafort agreed to cooperate with the ongoing investigation.
- 15 Sep 2018 Hurricane Florence Impacts North Carolina: Hurricane Florence made landfall in North Carolina on September 14, 2018, continuing its destructive path on September 15, causing widespread flooding and extensive damage across the region.
- 16 Sep 2018 US Prepares New Tariffs on Chinese Goods: President Trump was expected to impose new tariffs on Chinese imports, targeting $200 billion in goods with approximately a 10% tax rate, escalating the ongoing trade tensions.
- 17 Sep 2018 US Escalates Trade War with China: The United States announced a 10% tariff on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods, set to increase to 25% by year's end, with potential additional tariffs of $267 billion if China retaliates.
- 18 Sep 2018 US-China Trade War Escalation: China added US$60 billion of US products to its import tariff list in retaliation for recent US tariffs on Chinese imported goods worth US$200 billion, further intensifying the ongoing trade tensions between the two economic superpowers.
- 19 Sep 2018 Najib Razak Corruption Scandal: Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak was arrested for allegedly transferring RM2.6 billion (approximately $681 million) into his personal bank accounts, marking a significant moment in Malaysia's fight against high-level political corruption.
- 20 Sep 2018 Sinking of MV Nyerere in Lake Victoria: A tragic ferry disaster occurred on Lake Victoria, Tanzania, where at least 161 people lost their lives when a vessel capsized near Ukara Island. The incident highlights the critical need for maritime safety improvements in the region.
- 21 Sep 2018 Deadly Clashes in Tripoli: The Libyan Civil War escalated with intense fighting in Tripoli, resulting in 444 deaths and 16 people missing. The conflict, which began on August 26, 2018, underscores the ongoing instability in Libya.
- 22 Sep 2018 Hayabusa2 Robots Land on Asteroid Ryugu: The Japanese space agency JAXA announced a remarkable achievement: a pair of 18-cm tall robots successfully landed on the asteroid Ryugu. This milestone in space exploration demonstrates Japan's advanced technological capabilities in planetary exploration and robotics.
- 23 Sep 2018 Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court Nomination Controversy: A second woman accused Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct, intensifying the already contentious confirmation process. However, the witnesses she identified denied the allegations, creating further complexity and controversy around his nomination.
- 24 Sep 2018 Russia's Military Response in Syria: Russian officials announced plans to deploy S-300 air-defense missile systems to Syria following the downing of Russian planes. They also declared intentions to jam satellite and radar signals from Mediterranean-based aircraft attacking Syrian territory.
- 25 Sep 2018 Brexit Political Developments: The UK Labour Party announced plans to reject Prime Minister Theresa May's Chequers Agreement and expressed openness to a potential second Brexit referendum, adding complexity to the Brexit negotiations.
- 26 Sep 2018 Skripal Poisoning Investigation: Bellingcat, an investigative website, released information identifying Anatoliy Chepiga, a decorated Colonel from the Main Intelligence Directorate, as a suspect in the poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal.
- 27 Sep 2018 North and South Korea Plan Third Summit: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in agreed to hold their third summit in Pyongyang, signaling continued diplomatic efforts towards peace and potential denuclearization.
- 28 Sep 2018 2018 Sulawesi Earthquake and Tsunami: A devastating 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck Sulawesi, Indonesia, triggering a massive tsunami that caused widespread destruction, resulting in 4,340 deaths and 10,679 injuries. The catastrophic event led to significant humanitarian challenges and infrastructure damage.
- 29 Sep 2018 Senate Judiciary Committee Votes on Kavanaugh Nomination: The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 11-10 along party lines to recommend Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court confirmation. The vote followed emotional testimony from Christine Blasey Ford and Kavanaugh, with Senator Jeff Flake calling for a one-week FBI investigation.
- 30 Sep 2018 Canada Joins New North American Trade Agreement: Canada agreed to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), effectively replacing the previous North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). This marked a significant milestone in North American trade relations and economic cooperation.