What Happened on September 1st?

Blitzkrieg shockwaves through Europe

Author

Matthew Jones
September 01, 2024

1939 Germany Invaded Poland

On September 1, 1939, Germany launched a surprise attack on Poland, using a rapid Blitzkrieg strategy that quickly overwhelmed Polish defenses. This invasion prompted Britain and France to declare war on Germany, marking the beginning of World War II and setting off a chain of events that would lead to widespread global conflict.

The photo shows a German battleship, Schleswig-Holstein, during a shellfire of Polish garrison Westerplatte in Gdańsk on September 1st, 1939. This event marked the beginning of WWII.

🗞️Today’s Headlines

Everything important that’s ever happened on September 1:

1985 ─ The wreck of the RMS Titanic was discovered by a Franco-American expedition led by Robert Ballard, offering new insights into the 1912 disaster.

1969 ─ Libya became a republic after a coup led by Muammar Gaddafi overthrew King Idris I, ushering in a new era of governance under Gaddafi's rule.

1951 ─ Australia, New Zealand, and the United States signed the ANZUS Pact, establishing a trilateral defense agreement against the backdrop of Cold War tensions in the Asia-Pacific region.

1952 ─ Life magazine published Ernest Hemingway's novella The Old Man and the Sea, revitalizing his career and earning him a Pulitzer Prize.

1930 ─ The Young Plan, aimed at reducing Germany's World War I reparations, went into effect to stabilize the German economy during the Great Depression.

1914 ─ The last known passenger pigeon, named Martha, died at the Cincinnati Zoo, marking the species' extinction due to overhunting and habitat loss.

1864 ─ Leaders from various British North American colonies met at the Charlottetown Conference to discuss uniting into a single nation. This meeting laid the groundwork for the creation of Canada.

🎂 Today’s Birthdays

On September 1, we’re singing to:

  • Mohammed Atta (1968) ─ Mohammed Atta was an Egyptian terrorist known for his role as the lead hijacker in the September 11 attacks, which profoundly impacted global security and politics.

    Rocky Marciano (1923) ─ Rocky Marciano was a legendary boxer and the only heavyweight champion to retire undefeated. His career remains a powerful inspiration in the world of sports.

 🪦Who Died Today?

On September 1, we’re saying goodbye to:

Sir Richard Steele (1729) ─ Sir Richard Steele was a British author and politician, co-founder of The Spectator magazine, who made significant contributions to literature and journalism.

Louis XIV (1715) ─ Louis XIV was a King of France whose long reign significantly shaped European culture and politics.

Jacques Cartier (1557) ─ Jacques Cartier was a French explorer who claimed what is now Canada for France, opening North America to European exploration.

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