On This Day - September 30th
So, you’ve made it to the end of the month and are one step closer to those Halloween holidays! But before you rush into October, take the time to consider what makes September 30th so special! Here are some of the most important things to know about September 30th.
On this day
King Richard II “abdicated”
In 1399, King Richard II of England’s abdication was read out in the House of Commons by the Archbishop of Canterbury. As it happens, he did not, in fact, abdicate but was instead deposed by his cousin and successor, Henry IV. Interestingly, he wouldn’t be the last king to abdicate from the British throne (legitimately or otherwise!).
Suleiman the Magnificent became Sultan.
In 1520, Suleiman the Magnificent succeeded his father, Selam I, as Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. He ruled until 1566 – and his Empire would outlive him by another three centuries, plus!
Anesthetic ether was used for the first time.
In 1846, anesthetic ether made its way into surgery for the very first time. It was first put into action via American dentist Dr. William Morton to extract a tooth. As much as no one likes going to the dentist – we have a lot to thank anesthetic for when it comes to pain relief!
13 soldiers blazed a trail.
In 1864, 13 men became the first black soldiers to ever be honored with a US Medal of Honor. They were awarded the honor for leading various charges against Confederate troops during the Battle of New Market Heights.
Henry Draper took a groundbreaking photo.
In 1880, American Henry Draper took the first-ever photograph of the Orion Nebula. He was an amateur astronomer at the time, and now his name is synonymous with some of the biggest stargazing discoveries of all history.
Special Days Falling on September 30th
As you can imagine, September 30th is about more than just history! In fact, there are plenty of interesting events taking place across the globe today that absolutely deserve your attention. Whether or not you have anything to celebrate this September 30th, here are a few good reasons why it’s still such an important date for the global calendar.
Botswana Day
Botswana day celebrates the moment the nation gained its independence from the British, back on September 30th, 1966. Many people across the nation come together to celebrate this great day – celebrating freedom from over 80 years as a British protectorate.
Fiesta de San Jerónimo
The Fiesta de San Jerónimo takes place every September 30th in Nicaragua. The celebration commemorates Saint Jerome, the Patron Saint of Libraries. Today, you’ll likely find parades all over the country with people dancing, wearing costumes, and leaving work behind for the sake of celebration.
Save the Koala Day
In Australia, Save the Koala Day is dedicated to sharing awareness about koalas and the fact that they and their natural habitats need to be protected. Sadly, due to human activities, koalas run the risk of going extinct. That is why it is so important that we act now to save these stunning animals! So, today, take the time to read up on koalas and what we can all do to help preserve their habitats – even if you live on the other side of the world!
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This page was last modified on September 21, 2023. Suggest an edit
This month in history
Shaka was killed. In 1828, the chief of the Zulus and founder of the Zulu Empire, Shaka, was killed by his two half brothers, King Dingane and Prince Mhlangana.
Famous Birthdays on September 30th
If you were born on September 30th…
…you’re a Libra! You’re fair, kind, and just. However, you can also be a bit indecisive and occasionally self-pitying. But it’s your party, and you will pity yourself if you want to! Libras can be pretty outgoing and want nothing more than for everyone to get along. That’s not always possible, but as a peacemaker, you’re one of the first that people turn to. Learn more about Libras from our dedicated Libra fact file!
