September 28 has witnessed a tapestry of pivotal moments across centuries. From the brutal assassination of Pompey in 48 BC to Alexander Fleming’s groundbreaking discovery of penicillin in 1928, this date holds profound significance. Births of cultural icons and tragic disasters also mark its legacy. What other events have shaped this day’s historical narrative? Uncover the layers of time that define September 28.
History
Major Historical Events
48 BC – Pompey the Great Assassinated: On this day, Roman general and statesman Pompey the Great was assassinated in Egypt after fleeing there following his defeat by Julius Caesar at the Battle of Pharsalus.
His murder, ordered by advisors to Pharaoh Ptolemy XIII, marked a significant moment in the Roman Civil War.
1066 – William the Conqueror Lands in England: William, Duke of Normandy, landed at Pevensey on the south coast of England, beginning the Norman Conquest.
This event would culminate in the Battle of Hastings and dramatically reshape English history.
1928 – Discovery of Penicillin Announced: Scottish scientist Alexander Fleming announced his discovery of penicillin, the world’s first widely effective antibiotic, after observing its effects on bacteria in his laboratory at St. Mary’s Hospital in London.
This breakthrough revolutionized medicine.
1971 – UK Passes the Misuse of Drugs Act: The United Kingdom enacted the Misuse of Drugs Act, establishing a legal framework for controlling dangerous or harmful drugs, categorizing them into classes based on their perceived risk.
1994 – Estonia Ferry Disaster: The MS Estonia, a passenger and car ferry, sank in the Baltic Sea en route from Tallinn to Stockholm, resulting in the tragic loss of 852 lives.
It remains one of the deadliest maritime disasters in European history.
Famous Birthdays
551 BC – Confucius Born: The Chinese philosopher and teacher Confucius, whose teachings on ethics, morality, and governance influenced East Asian culture for centuries, is traditionally believed to have been born on this day in the state of Lu.
1934 – Brigitte Bardot Born: French actress, singer, and animal rights activist Brigitte Bardot was born in Paris.
Known for her roles in films like “And God Created Woman,” she became a global icon of beauty and style in the 1950s and 1960s.
1967 – Mira Sorvino Born: American actress Mira Sorvino, who won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in “Mighty Aphrodite,” was born in New York City.
She continues to be recognized for her versatile performances.
1987 – Hilary Duff Born: American actress and singer Hilary Duff, known for her starring role in the Disney Channel series “Lizzie McGuire” and her successful music career, was born in Houston, Texas.
Notable Deaths
1895 – Louis Pasteur Dies: French chemist and microbiologist Louis Pasteur, renowned for his discoveries in vaccination, microbial fermentation, and pasteurization, passed away in Marnes-la-Coquette, France, leaving a lasting legacy in science and medicine.
1939 – Sigmund Freud Dies: Austrian neurologist and the founder of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud, died in London after a long battle with cancer.
His theories on the unconscious mind profoundly influenced psychology and culture.
1978 – Pope John Paul I Dies: Pope John Paul I, who had been elected only 33 days earlier, passed away unexpectedly in Vatican City, making his papacy one of the shortest in history.
His sudden death shocked the Catholic world.
1991 – Miles Davis Dies: American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, and composer Miles Davis, a pioneer of several jazz styles including bebop and cool jazz, died in Santa Monica, California, leaving an indelible mark on music history.
2016 – Shimon Peres Dies: Israeli statesman Shimon Peres, a key figure in the founding of Israel and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate for his role in the Oslo Accords, passed away in Tel Aviv at the age of 93.
Today in Music History
1968 – The Beatles Top the Charts with “Hey Jude”: The Beatles’ iconic single “Hey Jude” reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, staying there for nine weeks, making it one of their longest-running chart-toppers.
1976 – Stevie Wonder Releases “Songs in the Key of Life”: Stevie Wonder’s critically acclaimed double album “Songs in the Key of Life” was released, featuring hits like “Sir Duke” and “Isn’t She Lovely,” and is often regarded as one of the greatest albums in music history.
1987 – U2 Performs at Madison Square Garden: U2 played a memorable concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City as part of their Joshua Tree Tour, further solidifying their status as one of the biggest rock bands of the era.
Today in Sports History
1920 – Eight Chicago White Sox Players Indicted: Eight members of the Chicago White Sox were indicted for allegedly throwing the 1919 World Series in what became known as the Black Sox Scandal, one of the most infamous events in baseball history.
1973 – Billie Jean King Wins the “Battle of the Sexes”: Tennis legend Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs in a highly publicized exhibition match dubbed the “Battle of the Sexes” at the Houston Astrodome, a landmark moment for women’s sports and gender equality.
2000 – Sydney Olympics Highlight Gymnastics: At the Sydney Olympics, Russian gymnast Alexei Nemov won the men’s all-around title on this day, showcasing extraordinary skill and contributing to one of the most memorable gymnastics competitions in Olympic history.
2014 – Derek Jeter’s Final Home Game: New York Yankees legend Derek Jeter played his final home game at Yankee Stadium, hitting a walk-off single to win the game against the Baltimore Orioles in a fitting farewell to his storied career.
Today in Military and Naval History
1066 – Norman Invasion of England Begins: William the Conqueror’s forces landed in England, initiating a military campaign that would lead to the Battle of Hastings and the eventual Norman control of the English throne.
1781 – Siege of Yorktown Begins: American and French forces under General George Washington began the Siege of Yorktown against British troops led by Lord Cornwallis, a decisive campaign in the American Revolutionary War.
1918 – Battle of St. Quentin Canal: During World War I, Allied forces launched a successful assault on the German-held St. Quentin Canal in France, marking a significant breakthrough on the Western Front.
Today in Tech and Science History
1928 – Penicillin Discovery Announced: Alexander Fleming shared his groundbreaking discovery of penicillin, a mold that could kill harmful bacteria, paving the way for modern antibiotics and saving countless lives.
2008 – SpaceX Achieves First Private Orbital Launch: SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk, successfully launched the Falcon 1 rocket, becoming the first privately developed liquid-fueled rocket to reach orbit, a milestone in commercial spaceflight.
2012 – Google Maps Expands Underwater: Google Maps introduced underwater panoramic views of several coral reefs, including the Great Barrier Reef, allowing users to virtually explore these ecosystems and raising awareness about ocean conservation.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1865 – Elizabeth Gaskell’s Final Work Published: British novelist Elizabeth Gaskell’s unfinished novel “Wives and Daughters” began serialization posthumously in Cornhill Magazine, showcasing her keen insight into Victorian society.
1938 – “Thanks for the Memory” Wins Oscar: The song “Thanks for the Memory,” performed by Bob Hope and Shirley Ross in the film “The Big Broadcast of 1938,” was awarded the Academy Award for Best Original Song on this day.
1951 – “A Streetcar Named Desire” Film Released: The film adaptation of Tennessee Williams’ play “A Streetcar Named Desire,” starring Vivien Leigh and Marlon Brando, premiered, earning critical acclaim and multiple Academy Awards.
2003 – Althea Gibson Honored: Tennis pioneer Althea Gibson, the first African American to win a Grand Slam title, was posthumously honored on this day with a commemorative postage stamp by the U.S. Postal Service.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1542 – Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo’s Odd Discovery: Explorer Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo became the first European to set foot on what is now California, landing at San Diego Bay, though he mistakenly believed it was an island, a geographical mix-up that persisted for years.
1894 – First Professional Football Game… Sort Of: A peculiar paid exhibition game between two semi-professional teams took place in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, often cited as one of the earliest instances of professional football, though the players barely earned enough to buy a sandwich.
1972 – Japan’s Last Samurai Surrenders… Decades Late: Hiroo Onoda, a Japanese soldier who refused to believe World War II had ended, was finally convinced to surrender on this day, nearly 30 years after the war, having hidden in the Philippine jungle.
Today in History for Kids
1066 – A Big Adventure in England: A brave leader named William from France sailed to England with his army to become the new king.
This started a huge change in how England was ruled, and he’s remembered as William the Conqueror.
1928 – A Super Medicine is Found: A scientist named Alexander Fleming discovered a special mold called penicillin that could fight bad germs.
This helped doctors save lots of people who were very sick.
1973 – A Tennis Match Everyone Watched: A tennis player named Billie Jean King played against a man named Bobby Riggs in a match called the “Battle of the Sexes.”
She won, showing everyone that girls can be just as awesome at sports as boys.
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
48 BC – A Roman Betrayal: Pompey the Great, once a powerful Roman leader, thought he’d find safety in Egypt, but instead, he was tricked and killed by people he trusted on this very day.
935 – A Saintly Martyrdom: Saint Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia, was murdered by his brother on this day, later becoming a martyr and the patron saint of the Czech Republic, inspiring the Christmas carol “Good King Wenceslas.”
1970 – A Leader’s Sudden Exit: Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser suffered a fatal heart attack on this day, leaving a significant void in Middle Eastern politics during a tense period.
1986 – A Record-Breaking Flight: The experimental aircraft Voyager took off on a test flight on this day, preparing for its historic non-stop, unrefueled flight around the world later that year.
2000 – A Referendum in Denmark: Denmark held a referendum on joining the Euro currency on this day, with the majority voting against adopting it, a decision that shaped the country’s economic path.