Major Events of September 2021: 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 2021 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of September 2021: Key Historical Moments from the Month
- 01 Sep 2021 Texas Implements Strict Abortion Law: A controversial Texas law restricting most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy went into effect, becoming the most restrictive abortion legislation in the United States and sparking intense national debate about reproductive rights.
- 02 Sep 2021 Taliban Victory Parade and US Evacuation from Afghanistan: The Taliban celebrated its victory over the United States and NATO allies with a military parade in Kandahar, showcasing captured U.S. military equipment including armored vehicles and a Black Hawk helicopter. The Biden administration was urgently developing strategies to evacuate remaining U.S. citizens and Afghan allies, with thousands of refugees congregating at the Pakistan border and straining local infrastructure.
- 03 Sep 2021 Dune Premieres at Venice Film Festival: The highly anticipated science fiction epic 'Dune', directed by acclaimed Canadian filmmaker Denis Villeneuve, made its world premiere at the prestigious Venice Film Festival. Based on Frank Herbert's seminal 1965 novel, the film features an all-star cast including Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides, Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica, and Oscar Isaac as Duke Leto Atreides. The adaptation was widely praised for its stunning visual design, immersive world-building, and faithful interpretation of the complex source material. This screening marked a significant moment in science fiction cinema, representing a major attempt to bring Herbert's intricate narrative to the big screen after previous challenging adaptations.
- 04 Sep 2021 Biden Orders 9/11 Document Review: President Biden directed the Justice Department to conduct a comprehensive review of classified documents related to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, potentially providing new insights into the events and aftermath.
- 05 Sep 2021 Taliban Establish Interim Government in Afghanistan: Following their takeover of Afghanistan, the Taliban announced an interim government led by Mullah Muhammad Hassan Akhund, signaling the completion of their political transition and raising international concerns about human rights and governance.
- 06 Sep 2021 Uneventful Day in Global History: On September 6, 2021, no major historical events were recorded in the primary sources consulted. While this might appear unremarkable, such days are a reminder that not every date is marked by significant global occurrences. Daily life continued across various regions, with routine activities, personal experiences, and ongoing global processes unfolding without extraordinary incidents.
- 07 Sep 2021 Taliban Announce Interim Government in Afghanistan: Following their takeover of Afghanistan, the Taliban announced their interim government with Mullah Muhammad Hassan Akhund in the most senior role. This development signaled the group's intention to establish formal governance after decades of conflict and the recent withdrawal of US troops.
- 08 Sep 2021 Removal of Robert E. Lee Statue in Richmond: A prominent statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee was removed from its long-standing location on Monument Avenue in Richmond, Virginia. This removal was part of a broader national movement to address symbols of the Confederacy and racial injustice in public spaces.
- 09 Sep 2021 Biden Announces Widespread COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates: US President Joe Biden implemented comprehensive COVID-19 vaccine mandates affecting approximately 100 million people, including federal workers, government contractors, and employees of large employers. This decisive action aimed to accelerate national vaccination efforts and combat the pandemic.
- 10 Sep 2021 Biden Announces Comprehensive COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate: President Biden implemented sweeping executive orders to accelerate national vaccination efforts, targeting approximately 100 million Americans. The comprehensive mandate required vaccinations for federal employees and healthcare workers at Medicare and Medicaid-funded institutions. Additionally, the Labor Department was instructed to develop regulations compelling businesses with 100+ employees to either mandate vaccinations or implement weekly coronavirus testing protocols.
- 11 Sep 2021 20th Anniversary of the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks: On September 11, 2021, the United States and the world solemnly commemorated the 20th anniversary of the devastating al-Qaeda terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001. The attacks targeted the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., resulting in the tragic loss of nearly 3,000 lives, including 343 heroic firefighters and 72 courageous law enforcement officers. Memorial ceremonies, moments of silence, and remembrance events were held across the United States and internationally to honor the victims, first responders, and the profound impact of this transformative moment in modern history.
- 12 Sep 2021 United States Commemorates 20th Anniversary of 9/11: Memorial events were held at Ground Zero in New York, the Pentagon, and the Flight 93 memorial to honor the victims and remember the tragic terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, marking two decades since the devastating day.
- 13 Sep 2021 Taliban Introduces Gender-Segregated Education Policy: The Taliban's education minister announced a new policy mandating gender segregation in educational institutions. This policy reflects the Taliban's conservative interpretation of Islamic education, effectively restricting women's and girls' access to comprehensive educational opportunities and reinforcing strict gender-based social controls.
- 14 Sep 2021 North Korea Missile Test Near Japan: North Korea conducted a provocative missile test, launching two short-range ballistic missiles that landed just outside Japan's territorial waters, escalating regional tensions.
- 15 Sep 2021 AUKUS Security Alliance Formed: U.S. President Joe Biden, U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the formation of a strategic security alliance called AUKUS. The partnership aims to counter China's growing geopolitical and military influence in the Indo-Pacific region. A key component of the alliance is Australia's planned acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines, marking a significant shift in regional defense dynamics.
- 16 Sep 2021 France Eliminates Islamic State Sahara Leader: French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed the neutralization of Adnan Abu Walid al-Sahrawi, the leader of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara, marking a significant counterterrorism operation in the region.
- 17 Sep 2021 US Military Drone Strike Tragedy in Kabul: On August 29, 2021, during the final stages of the US military withdrawal from Afghanistan, a US drone strike near Kabul International Airport resulted in a devastating civilian casualty incident. The US military initially claimed the strike targeted ISIL-K militants, but later acknowledged that 10 innocent civilians were killed, including children. General Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. publicly apologized and took full responsibility for the fatal error, which highlighted the complex and tragic nature of military operations in conflict zones.
- 18 Sep 2021 Pentagon Acknowledges Civilian Casualties in Kabul Drone Strike: The U.S. Department of Defense officially admitted that a drone strike conducted in Kabul on August 29, 2021, tragically resulted in the deaths of 10 civilians, including seven children. This acknowledgment underscores the complexities and potential human cost of military operations in conflict zones.
- 19 Sep 2021 First International Flight from Kabul After Taliban Takeover: A Qatar Airways charter flight carrying 200 passengers, including both Afghan nationals and American citizens, successfully departed from Kabul International Airport to Qatar. This flight represented a critical moment in the ongoing Afghanistan evacuation efforts following the Taliban's recent takeover of the country.
- 20 Sep 2021 Pentagon Acknowledges Civilian Casualties in Afghan Drone Strike: The U.S. Department of Defense officially admitted that a drone strike in Afghanistan had mistakenly killed civilians, marking a significant moment of accountability in military operations. Victims' families called for a thorough investigation into the incident.
- 21 Sep 2021 United Nations General Assembly Convenes Amid Global Tensions: The United Nations General Assembly commenced after a two-year hiatus, with world leaders returning to discuss critical global issues. The assembly was characterized by significant geopolitical tensions, particularly between the United States and China, and substantial concerns about Afghanistan's political landscape following the U.S. military withdrawal and the Taliban's resurgence to power.
- 22 Sep 2021 Biden Addresses UN, Promises New Era of Diplomacy: President Biden delivered a pivotal speech at the United Nations General Assembly, emphasizing a renewed commitment to global cooperation. He outlined a strategic approach focusing on collaborative efforts to address critical global challenges, including pandemic response, counterterrorism, and managing evolving international power dynamics.
- 23 Sep 2021 EPA Introduces Ambitious Hydrofluorocarbon Reduction Regulation: The Biden administration, through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), unveiled a groundbreaking climate regulation targeting hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). The new rule aims to dramatically reduce HFC usage by 85% over the next 15 years, representing a significant step in the United States' commitment to combating climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- 24 Sep 2021 United States Surpasses 40 Million COVID-19 Cases: The United States reached a grim milestone, recording over 40 million COVID-19 cases, with daily infection rates at 161,000 and approximately 1,560 daily deaths, highlighting the ongoing pandemic's severity.
- 25 Sep 2021 Suicide Bombing Near Somalia Presidential Palace: A devastating suicide car bombing near the presidential palace in Somalia results in at least seven deaths and eight injuries. The terrorist group Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack.
- 26 Sep 2021 German Federal Election Results: In a significant political shift, the center-left Social Democrats won the most seats in the German federal election, marking the end of Angela Merkel's era and potentially signaling a new political direction for Germany.
- 27 Sep 2021 Taliban Raids Eliminate ISIL-K Leader in Nangarhar Province: In a significant counter-terrorism operation, the Taliban conducted targeted raids in eastern Nangarhar Province, resulting in the killing of ISIL-K leader Mawlawi Ziya ul-Haq and the arrest of over 80 fighters. These raids were a direct response to recent ISIL-K attacks in Jalalabad that had resulted in civilian casualties, demonstrating the Taliban's efforts to suppress rival militant groups.
- 28 Sep 2021 US Senate Republicans Block Government Funding Bill: On Monday, September 27, 2021, Senate Republicans blocked a critical measure to prevent a potential government shutdown and avoid a default on federal debt. The vote failed with a 48-50 tally, falling short of the 60 votes required to advance the legislation. This political impasse threatened to disrupt government operations and raised concerns about the United States' fiscal stability.
- 29 Sep 2021 North Korea Tests Hypersonic Missile: North Korea claimed a successful test of a newly developed hypersonic missile, describing it as a strategic weapon with potential nuclear capabilities, further escalating tensions in the region.
- 30 Sep 2021 Wayne Couzens Sentenced for Sarah Everard Murder: In a landmark case highlighting violence against women, former London Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens received a rare whole-life sentence for the brutal rape and murder of Sarah Everard. The judge's comparison of his crime to a terrorist act underscored the severity of the offense and sparked widespread discussions about women's safety and police misconduct.