40 fun facts for September, 14

Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
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Summary
September 14th marks numerous historical events, celebrations, and milestones. It's the day when the first lighthouse was built in the United States, when Francis Scott Key composed the poem that became the U.S. national anthem, and when the United Nations headquarters groundbreaking took place. This day also witnesses various national and international observances, including the Day of the Programmer, the International Day of Democracy, and World Shorebirds Day.
40 Fun facts
  1. In 1716, the first lighthouse in America, Boston Light, was built in Boston Harbor. The lighthouse remains the oldest continuously working lighthouse in the United States.
  2. In 1741, George Frideric Handel completed his famous oratorio "Messiah," which would become one of the most revered pieces of sacred music in the Western classical tradition.
  3. In 1814, Francis Scott Key composed the poem "Defence of Fort M'Henry" after witnessing the British bombardment during the Battle of Baltimore. The poem would later become the U.S. national anthem "The Star-Spangled Banner."
  4. In 1829, the first practical steam locomotive, the "Tom Thumb," had a famous race with a horse-drawn rail car. The locomotive lost the race, but only because of a mechanical failure.
  5. In 1847, Charlotte Bronte sent her manuscript for "Jane Eyre" to the publisher under the pen name Currer Bell, concealing her gender to navigate sexism in the publishing industry.
  6. In 1901, President William McKinley died after having been shot on September 6th. Theodore Roosevelt succeeded him as the 26th President of the United States.
  7. In 1914, Clayton W. Lusk, while attending the New York State Fair, successfully flipped a coin 24 consecutive times, setting a new world record.
  8. In 1948, the groundbreaking ceremony for the United Nations headquarters took place in New York City. The site became the permanent home for the UN, an organization dedicated to promoting peace, international security, and cooperation among nations.
  9. In 1959, NBC debuted the television series "Bonanza," the first primetime Western to be broadcast in color, which would air for 14 seasons and over 400 episodes.
  10. In 1960, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) was founded, bringing together oil-producing countries to collectively negotiate and collaborate on oil production, pricing, and policy.
  11. In 1965, the youngest person to sign a major league baseball contract, Joe Nuxhall, was inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame.
  12. In 1972, The Waltons, a family drama television show set during the Great Depression, aired its first episode on CBS. The show had a successful run for nine seasons.
  13. In 1978, Mork & Mindy, a spin-off sitcom from the hit show Happy Days, premiered on ABC. The show launched comedian-actor Robin Williams to stardom.
  14. In 1982, Princess Grace of Monaco (Grace Kelly), a former American film actress who married Prince Rainier III, died in a car accident near Monaco.
  15. In 1984, Joe Kittinger completed the first solo gas balloon flight across the Atlantic Ocean, starting in Maine, USA, and landing in Italy.
  16. In 1985, the TV musical drama series "Fame" based on the 1980 movie of the same name aired its final episode.
  17. In 1998, the 250th birthday of France's King Louis XVI was celebrated in Paris with a series of events, including exhibitions and concerts.
  18. In 2000, the 27th Summer Olympic Games opened in Sydney, Australia. Over 10,000 athletes from 199 nations competed in various events.
  19. In 2004, the Romanian national day of the language, "Ziua Limbii Române" (Day of the Romanian Language), was officially recognized, encouraging public appreciation for Romania's history and culture.
  20. In 2007, the Northern Rock Bank in the United Kingdom experienced its first run on the bank in 150 years, leading to an eventual government bailout and nationalization.
  21. In 2010, the 78th edition of the Belgian National Cycling Championship took place, with Philippe Gilbert winning the prestigious race.
  22. In 2012, the iPhone 5 was released, setting new standards for smartphone technology and becoming the bestselling model in Apple's history.
  23. In 2013, Japan launched its first "eel day," a yearly event aimed at promoting eel consumption and reviving the local eel industry.
  24. In 2014, the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) spacecraft entered Mars' orbit, making it the first spacecraft to study Mars' upper atmosphere in detail.
  25. In 2015, the Australian government announced its plans to invest $100 million in combating domestic violence and supporting women and children affected by abuse.
  26. In 2017, Cassini, a NASA spacecraft, ended its 20-year mission by plunging into Saturn's atmosphere, sending back valuable data and images until its final moments.
  27. In 2018, the European Space Agency (ESA) announced that astronaut Alexander Gerst broke a new record for the longest time a European astronaut had been in space, reaching 200 days aboard the International Space Station.
  28. In 2019, Film at Lincoln Center celebrated its 50th anniversary. The organization, based in New York City, supports and showcases outstanding cinema.
  29. In 2019, September 14th marked World Shorebirds Day, celebrating the beauty, ecology, and importance of shorebirds in ecosystems around the globe.
  30. In 2020, Queen Elizabeth II marked her 69th year as the reigning Queen of the United Kingdom, making her the longest-reigning monarch in British history.
  31. In 2021, on this day, streaming platform Netflix announced the acquisition of the rights to Roald Dahl's works, including "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and "Matilda."
  32. In 2021, Apple unveiled the iPhone 13, featuring improved cameras, a smaller notch, and a longer battery life, continuing the legacy of the iPhone series.
  33. On September 14th, the United States, Australia, and Canada celebrate National Cream Filled Doughnut Day, honoring the sweet confections.
  34. In Italy, September 14th is known as "Ferragosto," a public holiday in which people celebrate the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and enjoy a day off work with friends and family.
  35. In Poland, the Day of the Programmer is celebrated annually on September 14th. This national day honors computer programmers and encourages young people to pursue careers in technology.
  36. In Switzerland, September 14th is Jeune Genevois, a public holiday specific to the canton of Geneva, marking a day of thanksgiving and prayer.
  37. On September 14th, people across the globe observe the International Day of Democracy, established by the United Nations to promote and uphold the democratic principles of human rights, equality, and freedom.
  38. In Spain, September 14th marks the beginning of the traditional "Fiestas de la Virgen de la Vega" in the city of Salamanca, a week-long celebration filled with street parties, parades, and religious events.
  39. In Brazil, September 14th is the National Day of Cachorro Quente, celebrating the popular hot dog with various events and promotions.
  40. Romania holds a national commemoration day called "Ziua Bucureştiului" on September 14th each year to celebrate the founding of its capital city, Bucharest.

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