This Day in History: What Happened Today in History – 30 September

Every day has a history tied to it. What happened on September 30? Why do we pause and look back? Because on that day, across years and continents, events unfolded that shaped our world. On September 30, 1949, the Berlin Airlift officially came to an end, marking a dramatic chapter in the Cold War. In 1955, actor James Dean died in a car crash at just 24. In 1520, Suleiman the Magnificent ascended to the Ottoman throne as Sultan. That's only a few among many: nations declared independence, treaties were signed, revolts broke out, and cultural milestones were established. In this article, we'll walk through those moments—year by year—and explore their impact.

What Happened on this Day – September 30?

Here's what happened in history on September 30:

1776 – George Washington Criticises the Militia

• On September 30, 1776, General George Washington wrote to his nephew, Lund Washington.
• He complained about the militia's poor discipline and battlefield failures.
• Washington blamed reliance on the militia for heavy Patriot losses.

1822 – Joseph Marion Hernández Elected to Congress

• Joseph Marion Hernández became the first Hispanic elected to the U.S. Congress.
• He was born a Spanish citizen and later served at high levels of government.
• He died in Cuba after a career bridging two nations.

1868 – Little Women Published

• On September 30, 1868, Louisa May Alcott's Little Women was first published.
• It became her first bestseller and a children's classic.
• The story reflected her own family life, which included three sisters.

1889 – Wyoming Grants Women the Vote

• Wyoming's state convention approved a constitution on September 30, 1889.
• It gave women the right to vote, the first state to do so.
• Wyoming joined the Union the following year.

1918 – Wilson Supports Women's Suffrage

• On September 30, 1918, President Woodrow Wilson addressed a joint session of Congress.
• He urged the Senate to pass the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote.
• His support helped move the cause forward.

1918 – Lawrence of Arabia in Damascus

• Arab and Australian forces entered Damascus on 30 September 1918.
• They pushed out the Turks during World War I.
• T.E. Lawrence, known as Lawrence of Arabia, played a key role.

1927 – Babe Ruth Hits 60th Home Run

• On September 30, 1927, Babe Ruth hit his 60th home run of the season.
• It was a new record that stood for 34 years.
• His power made him a baseball legend.

1928 – Birth of Elie Wiesel

• Elie Wiesel was born on September 30, 1928, in Sighet, Transylvania.
• He survived Auschwitz and wrote the memoir Night.
• He became a Nobel Peace Prize-winning author and activist.

1935 – Boulder Dam Dedicated

• President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the Boulder Dam on September 30, 1935.
• It later became known as the Hoover Dam.
• It was the tallest dam of its time, but it claimed the lives of 96 workers.

1938 – Munich Pact Signed

• On September 30, 1938, Britain and France signed the Munich Pact with Hitler.
• It gave Nazi Germany control of Czechoslovakia's Sudetenland.
• The deal avoided war but is remembered as a form of appeasement.

1947 – First Televised World Series Game

• On September 30, 1947, the Yankees beat the Dodgers in Game 1 of the World Series.
• It was the first World Series game broadcast on television.
• Jackie Robinson played in this "Subway Series", breaking barriers.

1949 – Berlin Airlift Ends

• On September 30, 1949, the Berlin Airlift concluded after 15 months of operation.
• Over 250,000 flights had supplied West Berlin.
• It was one of the most remarkable logistical feats of the Cold War.

1954 – USS Nautilus Commissioned

• On September 30, 1954, the USS Nautilus entered service.
• It was the world's first nuclear-powered submarine.
• It changed naval warfare forever.

1955 – Death of James Dean

• Actor James Dean died in a car crash on September 30, 1955.
• He was only 24 and had starred in East of Eden.
• His sudden death made him a cultural icon.

1962 – Farm Workers Association Founded

• On September 30, 1962, Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta formed the NFWA.
• The National Farm Workers Association later became the UFW.
• It united farm workers and sparked a movement for rights.

1962 – Ole Miss Desegregation Riots

• Riots broke out at the University of Mississippi on September 30, 1962.
• James Meredith, an African American, tried to enrol with a federal escort.
• Violence left two people dead before troops restored order.

1984 – Birth of T-Pain

• Hip-hop artist T-Pain was born on September 30, 1984.
• He became famous for his creative use of Auto-Tune.
• His hits include "Buy U a Drank" and "Bartender."

1957 – Birth of Fran Drescher

• Fran Drescher was born on September 30, 1957.
• She starred in the sitcom The Nanny.
• In 2023, she led SAG-AFTRA through a significant strike.

2005 – Michael Eisner Resigns from Disney

• On September 30, 2005, Michael Eisner stepped down as the CEO of Disney.
• He had transformed Disney into a global entertainment giant.
• His tenure was marked by both significant growth and controversy.

Which Famous Personalities Were Born and Died on September 30?

September 30 marks notable birthdays and deaths of influential figures throughout history, celebrating legacies in the arts, science, and sports.

Born on September 30

Elie Wiesel (1928 – 2016)

• Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
• Wrote Night, recounting his life in Auschwitz.
• Became a leading voice for human rights.

Fran Drescher (1957 – )

• Actress best known for The Nanny.
• Became president of SAG-AFTRA.
• Led the actors' union through a 2023 strike.

T-Pain (1984 – )

• Hip-hop star known for creative use of Auto-Tune.
• Famous for hits like "Buy U a Drank" and "Bartender."
• Won multiple Grammy Awards.

Notable Deaths on September 30

James Dean (1931 – 1955)

• Hollywood actor and cultural icon.
• Died in a car crash at just 24 years old.
• Starred in East of Eden, Rebel Without a Cause, and Giant.