September 14th: A Day in History, Calendars, Traditions, and Events

Every date on the calendar carries the imprint of human history, and September 14th is no exception. This day has witnessed the rise and fall of empires, pivotal moments in war, the creation of timeless art, and the commemoration of cultural and religious traditions. From the rediscovery of the True Cross in early Christianity, to the tragic Francis Scott Key Bridge disaster of 1814, to the passing of celebrated figures, September 14th is a day rich with meaning and memory.

In this article, we’ll explore September 14th across calendars, traditions, and history, highlighting the most significant events while also weaving in fascinating side stories.

September 14th in the Calendar

• Gregorian Calendar: September 14th is the 257th day of the year (258th in leap years), leaving 108 days until the year ends.

• Julian Calendar: Historically, September 14th would not align perfectly with today’s Gregorian dates, leading to differences in how older events were recorded.

• Seasonal Context:

  • In the Northern Hemisphere, September 14th falls just before the autumn equinox, a time of harvest and transition as summer fades into fall.

  • In the Southern Hemisphere, the day arrives toward the end of winter, with the promise of spring growth and renewal.

The date often aligns with festivals of harvest, light, and remembrance, depending on cultural and regional traditions.

Traditions and Observances on September 14th

The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

In Christianity, particularly within the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Anglican traditions, September 14th marks the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. This solemn day commemorates the rediscovery of the True Cross by St. Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, in the 4th century.

It is a day of reflection, prayer, and celebration of Christ’s sacrifice. In many countries, churches hold processions and special liturgies, with the cross displayed and honoured.

Other Cultural and Historical Traditions

• Harvest Celebrations: In agricultural communities across Europe, September 14th has historically coincided with “Harvest Home” festivities, celebrating the gathering of crops before winter.

• Liturgical Calendars: In medieval times, September 14th marked a “quarter day” in some European calendars, tied to rents, payments, and seasonal labor cycles.

• Modern Celebrations: Some modern cultural calendars highlight World First Aid Day, which often falls around mid-September, recognising lifesaving skills and emergency care.

Major Historical Events on September 14th

81 CE – Domitian Becomes Roman Emperor

On this day in 81 CE, Domitian became Emperor of Rome following the death of his brother, Titus. His reign lasted 15 years and was marked by autocracy, ambitious building projects, and strained relations with the Senate. Domitian’s legacy remains controversial—some hail his administrative reforms, while others view him as a tyrant.

1752 – The Calendar Act: Britain Loses 11 Days

On September 14th, 1752, Britain and its American colonies officially adopted the Gregorian calendar, skipping ahead by 11 days. The previous day was September 2nd, making September 14th the next morning. Many people at the time resisted the change, with some even demanding, “Give us back our 11 days!” This reform aligned Britain with much of Europe and corrected centuries of seasonal drift caused by the Julian calendar.

1812 – Napoleon Enters Moscow

During his ill-fated Russian campaign, Napoleon Bonaparte and his Grand Army marched into Moscow on September 14th, 1812. Though the French army captured the city, they found it largely deserted and soon consumed by fire. This “victory” proved hollow—within weeks, winter and lack of supplies forced Napoleon into a devastating retreat. The Moscow occupation became a turning point in his downfall.

1814 – The Defense of Fort McHenry and “The Star-Spangled Banner”

Perhaps one of the most famous moments of September 14th occurred in 1814, when American troops successfully defended Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor during the War of 1812. Witnessing the overnight British bombardment, lawyer and amateur poet Francis Scott Key was inspired by the sight of the U.S. flag still flying at dawn. His poem became the lyrics to “The Star-Spangled Banner,” later adopted as the national anthem of the United States.

1829 – The Treaty of Adrianople

On September 14th, 1829, the Treaty of Adrianople was signed between the Ottoman Empire and Russia, bringing an end to the Russo-Turkish War (1828–1829). The treaty expanded Russian influence in the Balkans and Caucasus, while the Ottomans retained nominal control of important territories. It marked another step in the “Eastern Question” that shaped 19th-century geopolitics.

1847 – U.S. Troops Enter Mexico City

During the Mexican-American War, U.S. troops entered Mexico City on September 14th, 1847, following the decisive victory at Chapultepec. The occupation of the Mexican capital forced Mexico into negotiations that would ultimately cede vast territories to the United States under the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

1901 – Theodore Roosevelt Becomes U.S. President

On September 14th, 1901, Theodore Roosevelt was sworn in as the 26th President of the United States following the assassination of William McKinley. At age 42, Roosevelt remains the youngest U.S. president in history. His dynamic leadership ushered in the Progressive Era, marked by trust-busting, conservation, and a strong foreign policy stance.

1939 – World War II: Estonians Declare Neutrality

On this day in 1939, Estonia declared its neutrality during the early weeks of World War II. Despite this, within a year the country was occupied by the Soviet Union, demonstrating how fragile neutrality was in a world engulfed by total war.

1959 – Luna 2 Becomes the First Probe to Impact the Moon

On September 14th, 1959, the Soviet spacecraft Luna 2 became the first human-made object to reach the Moon, crashing into its surface. This milestone in the space race demonstrated Soviet technological progress and spurred the United States to intensify its own space program.

1982 – Princess Grace of Monaco Dies

On September 14th, 1982, Princess Grace of Monaco, formerly Hollywood actress Grace Kelly, died following a tragic car accident. Beloved for her elegance and grace both on screen and as a royal figure, her death was mourned worldwide.

2003 – Sweden Rejects the Euro

On this day in 2003, Sweden held a referendum on adopting the euro as its currency. A majority voted against joining the eurozone, a decision that continues to shape Swedish economic policy today.

Other Notable Events on September 14th

• 1908: Orville Wright makes his first public flight in Virginia, showcasing the Wright brothers’ airplane to the U.S. Army.

• 1960: The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is founded in Baghdad by five nations: Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela.

• 1975: Pope Paul VI canonizes Elizabeth Ann Seton, making her the first American-born saint.

• 2015: Scientists announce the first detection of gravitational waves from colliding black holes, confirming a major prediction of Einstein’s theory of relativity.

Chronological Timeline of September 14th Events

• 81 CE – Domitian becomes Roman Emperor.

• 1752 – Britain and colonies adopt Gregorian calendar, skipping 11 days.

• 1812 – Napoleon enters Moscow during the Russian campaign.

• 1814 – Francis Scott Key writes The Star-Spangled Banner.

• 1829 – Treaty of Adrianople ends the Russo-Turkish War.

• 1847 – U.S. troops occupy Mexico City.

• 1901 – Theodore Roosevelt sworn in as U.S. President.

• 1908 – Orville Wright makes first public airplane flight for the U.S. Army.

• 1939 – Estonia declares neutrality in World War II.

• 1959 – Luna 2 becomes the first spacecraft to reach the Moon.

• 1960 – OPEC founded in Baghdad.

• 1975 – Elizabeth Ann Seton canonized as the first American-born saint.

• 1982 – Princess Grace of Monaco dies in a car crash.

• 2003 – Sweden votes against adopting the euro.

• 2015 – Gravitational waves detected for the first time.

Fun Facts About September 14th

• Calendar Quirks: In 1752, Britons went to sleep on September 2nd and woke up on September 14th due to calendar reform. This unique date jump has made September 14th stand out in calendar history.

• Youngest U.S. President: Theodore Roosevelt, sworn in on this day, was only 42 years old—still the youngest to ever hold the office.

• Space Race Firsts: Luna 2’s impact on the Moon on September 14th, 1959, marked humanity’s first step in touching another celestial body.

• Musical Connections: September 14th is the birthday of singer Amy Winehouse (1983–2011), whose soulful voice and artistry left a lasting mark on modern music.

• A Day of Contrasts: From religious feast days to space exploration milestones, September 14th spans the spectrum from sacred tradition to scientific innovation.

Conclusion

September 14th is a date that bridges past and present, filled with moments that shaped religion, politics, art, science, and culture. From the solemnity of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross to the booming cannons at Fort McHenry, from Napoleon’s march into Moscow to the founding of OPEC, this day reflects the diverse and complex journey of human civilization.

Whether remembered for breakthroughs like Luna 2’s journey to the Moon or mourned for the loss of beloved figures like Princess Grace, September 14th remains a day that reminds us of the interconnected threads of history.

1842

 

In 1842 Sir Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington died.

 

Wellesley was born in Dublin, Ireland on the 1^st of May 1769. His father was the 1^st Earl of Mornington and his mother was the daughter to the 1^st Viscount of Dungannon. He grew up the middle child with his five brothers and lived in the family mansion in Dublin as well as their second home of Dangan Castle.

 

He attended Schools in Dublin, Ireland, Chelsea, England and later Eton. His father, who was a politician, died on the 22^nd of May 1781 while Arthur was attending Eton and the death of his father caused, among other things, a massive decline in the family’s wealth. Arthur left Eton shortly after and due to his lack of direction he signed up to the British Army on the 7^th of March 1787 as an ensign and by Christmas that year he had been promoted to lieutenant. Becoming a soldier proved the making of Wellesley and he quickly made his way through the ranks.     

 

In 1808 Sir Arthur Wesley, The duke of Wellington, took control of the British, Portuguese and Spanish forces in the ‘Peninsular War’ and by 1814 he had defeated Napoleon and his forces on land, and returned Spain to the Spanish. Napoleon was again defeated by the combined forces of Russia, Austria and Prussia in the battle of Paris.

 

On the 11th of April 1814 Napoleon abdicated as emperor and as per the Treaty of Fontainebleau, he was exiled to the Mediterranean island of Elba. Napoleon would once again amass an army only to be defeated once more by Wellington at the ‘Battle of Waterloo’ on the 18th of June 1815. Napoleon was exiled and died six years later. Napoleon is considered one of the greatest military leaders of all time and was determined to expand the French empire in Europe and conquering his enemies such as Great Britain and Portugal. His war machine seemed almost unstoppable but thanks to the great leadership of Nelson, Prussia’s Gebhard Von Blucher and Wellington, Napoleon was defeated. Wellington was praised for his strategic defensive style that allowed him to defeat much larger armies with low loss of life to his men and is still considered one of the greatest military strategist of all time. On the 22^nd of January 1827 Arthur Wellesley the 1^st Duke of Wellington became commander and chief of the British Armed forces (a title he maintained till his death).

 

Wellington began a political carer on the 26^th of December 1818 and he became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom for the first time on the 22^nd of January 1828 until 16^th of November 1830 and then again for a month from the 14^th of November 1834 until the 10^th of December 1834. In a BBC poll held in 2002 which saw millions of Britons vote for their favourite Briton of all time saw Wellesley at 15^th place.