September 1, 1939 - At 5.30 a.m., Hitler's armies invaded Poland starting World War II in Europe.

September 2, 1864 - During the American Civil War, Atlanta was captured by Sherman's Army. "Atlanta is ours, and fairly won," General William T. Sherman telegraphed President Lincoln.

September 3, 1939 - Great Britain and France declared war on Nazi Germany after its invasion of Poland two days earlier.

September 4, 1833 - 1st newsboy hired (Barney Flaherty, 10 years old-NY Sun)

September 5, 1774 - The First Continental Congress assembled in Philadelphia with 56 delegates, representing every colony, except Georgia. Attendants included Patrick Henry, George Washington, Sam Adams and John Hancock.

September 6, 1939 - 1st German air attack on Great-Britain in WWII

September 7, 1940 - The German Luftwaffe began its Blitz bombing campaign against London during World War II.

September 8, 1941 - The German Army began its blockade of Leningrad, lasting until January 1944, resulting in the deaths of almost one million Russian civilians.

September 9, 1776 - The United States came into existence as the Continental Congress changed the name of the new American nation from the United Colonies.

September 10, 1943 - Hitler's troops occupied Rome and took over the protection of Vatican City.

September 11, 2001 - The worst terrorist attack in U.S. history occurred as four large passenger jets were hijacked then crashed, killing nearly 3,000 persons.

September 12, 1943 - Former Italian Dictator Benito Mussolini was rescued by German paratroopers on orders from Adolf Hitler. Mussolini was being held prisoner by Italian authorities following the collapse of his Fascist regime.

September 13, 1788 - The U.S. Congress chose New York as the Federal capital of the new American government.

September 14, 1741 - Composer George Frederick Handel finished Messiah after working on it nonstop for 23 days.

September 15, 1776 - British forces under General William Howe captured New York during the American Revolution.

September 16, 1908 - General Motors was founded by entrepreneur William Crapo "Billy" Durant in Flint, Michigan.

September 17, 1862 - The bloodiest day in U.S. military history occurred as General Robert E. Lee and the Confederate armies were stopped at Antietam in Maryland by General George B. McClellan and numerically superior Union forces. By nightfall 26,000 men were dead, wounded, or missing.

September 18, 1947 - The U.S. Air Force was established as a separate military service.

September 19, 1778 - The Continental Congress passes the first budget of the United States.

September 20, 1873 - The New York Stock Exchange was forced to close for the first time in its history as a result of a banking crisis during the financial Panic of 1873.

September 21, 1192 - English king Richard I the Lion hearted is captured.

September 22, 1776 - During the American Revolution, Nathan Hale was executed without a trial after he was caught spying on British troops on Long Island, his last words, "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."

September 23, 1952 - Vice-presidential candidate Richard Nixon delivered his Checkers Speech on television and radio to address accusations of financial misdeeds.

September 24, 1957 - President Dwight Eisenhower ordered the National Guard to enforce racial integration of schools in Little Rock, Arkansas.

September 25, 1789 - The first U.S. Congress proposed 12 Amendments to the Constitution, ten of which, comprising the Bill of Rights, were ratified.

September 26, 1918 - The last major battle of World War I, the Battle of the Argonne, began as a combined force of French and Americans attacked the Germans along a 40-mile front.

September 27, 1964 - After a 10-month investigation, the Warren Commission Report was issued stating a lone gunman had been responsible for the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas on November 22, 1963.

September 28, 1542 - California was discovered by Portuguese navigator Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo upon his arrival at San Diego Bay.

September 29, 1789 - Congress created the United States Army, consisting of 1,000 enlisted men and officers.

September 30, 1955 - Actor James Dean was killed in a car crash in California at age 24. Although he made just three major films, Rebel Without a Cause, East of Eden and Giant, he remains one of the most influential actors.