This Day in People's History
Welcome to the This Day in People's History (#tdih) series. Search people’s history events by date, theme, state, or keyword.
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Sept. 8, 1965: Delano Grape Strike Began
The Delano grape strike began in California.
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Sept. 8, 1900: Galveston Hurricane
An unexpected hurricane crashed into the Gulf Coast and devastated Galveston, Texas, leaving thousands of people dead and even more left houseless. The storm’s turmoil and destruction allowed white terror and fraud to flourish.
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Sept. 7, 1977: Panama Canal
Treaties were signed to turn over control of the Panama Canal from the U.S. to Panama.
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Sept. 6, 2017: U.S. Virgin Islands Hit by Hurricane Irma
The Virgin Islands were hit by Hurricane Irma. Also, on #tdih in 1928, Hurricane Okeechobee formed and hit Puerto Rico and Florida soon in mid-September.
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Sept. 6, 1870: Black Women Vote in Wyoming
Following a suffrage bill that recognized women’s right to vote and hold public office in Wyoming, Black women there became the first to vote in a U.S. territory in 1870.
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Sept. 5, 1971: Unofficial Women’s World Cup
In 1971, Denmark beat Mexico in the second unofficial Women’s World Cup in front of a sold-out crowd of 112,500 fans at Mexico’s Aztec Stadium. As of 2024, it is still the most attended women’s sporting event on record.
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Sept. 5, 1964: Heffners Forced Out of Town for Crossing Color Line
A white family (the Heffners) in McComb, Mississippi, left after a campaign of harassment, ostracism, and economic retaliation for having spoken to civil rights workers.
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Sept. 5, 1917: Federal Raids on IWW
Federal agents seized records, destroyed equipment and books, and arrested hundreds of activists involved with the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW).
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Sept. 4, 1949: Concert in Peekskill Attacked
Benefit concert for the Civil Rights Congress with Paul Robeson was held in Peekskill, New York.
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Sept. 4, 1921: Battle of Blair Mountain Ends
The end of fighting at the Battle of Blair Mountain, which was the largest example of class war in U.S. history.
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Sept. 4, 1875: Clinton, Mississippi Massacre
Nearly 50 African-Americans were killed by white mobs during the Clinton Riot.
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Sept. 3, 1991: Fire at Food Processing Plant Kills 25 Workers
Chicken plant workers died when a preventable workplace “accident” trapped them in a burning building.
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Sept. 3, 1868: Henry McNeal Turner Addressed the Georgia Legislature
Henry McNeal Turner addressed the Georgia Legislature on its decision to expel all Black representatives.
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Sept. 2, 1966: Grenada, Miss. School Desegregation Battle
The Grenada, Mississippi school board shuttered school instead of opening its doors to registered Black students.
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Sept. 2, 1945: Vietnam Declared Independence from France
Ho Chi Minh declared the independence of Vietnam from France.
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Sept. 2, 1885: Rock Springs Massacre
White coal miners in Rock Springs, Wyoming, brutally attacked Chinese workers.
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Sept. 1, 1987: S. Brian Willson’s Legs Amputated by Train During Nonviolent Protest
S. Brian Willson’s legs were amputated by a train during a nonviolent protest against the U.S. arming of El Salvadoran death squads.
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Sept. 1, 1965: Klan Raid Family Home in Hayneville, Alabama
The Ku Klux Klan shot into the home of Freedom Library organizer Pattie Mae McDonald and her family to terrorize them.
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Sept. 1, 1956: Clinton Desegregation Crisis
The White Citizens Council and Ku Klux Klan launched full-scale rioting in Clinton, Tennessee in response to school desegregation.
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