What Happened in September?

Widespread and violent protests erupt in Muslim-majority countries in response to the anti-Islamic video, Innocence of Muslims. The demonstrations were sparked by a crudely made 14-minute film produced in the United States and uploaded to YouTube that portrayed the Prophet Muhammad in a derogatory manner.  Expand +

Diana Nyad, 64, makes record swim from Cuba to Key West, Florida. However her crossing was not conducted under the supervision of an organized sporting association, and ratification of the accomplishment was later denied by the World Open Water Swimming Association (WOWSA). Guinness World Records initially certified Nyad's achievement, but revoked its certification after considering the findings by WOWSA. More

A terrorist attack occurs at the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi, Kenya.

Scotland holds a referendum on independence from the United Kingdom. The "No" side won with 2,001,926 (55.3%) voting against independence.

Ahmed Mohamed a Muslim teenager takes a reassembled home made clock to his Irving, on the outskirts of Dallas, Texas school. Ahmed, a model student, showed the clock to his science teacher but later another teacher saw it and reported it to the School Administration and the police was called. Mohamed was taken to a juvenile detention facility for fingerprinting and photographing, under suspicion of bringing a hoax bomb. Expand +

World leaders adopt the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at the United Nations. The conference took place at the UN Headquarters in New York City from September 25 to 27, 2015. More

Mother Teresa, the founder of the Order of the Missionaries of Charity and winner of the 1979 Nobel Prize for Peace, is canonized by Pope Francis I. Mother Teresa died on 5 September 1997. More

The International Criminal Court convicts Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdiu guilty of the war crime of intentionally directing attacks against religious and historical buildings in Timbuktu, Mali. Al-Mahdi, an Islamist rebel and member of Ansar Eddine, was sentenced to nine years in prison for the destruction of cultural heritage, which occurred between June and July 2012.

A powerful 7.1 Mw earthquake strikes Mexico. close to the city of Puebla. rocking the states of Puebla and Morelos as well as the e Greater Mexico City area and causing significant damage.  This earthquake came after another a stronger 8.2 Mw earthquake struck  on September 7 off the Pacific coast in the Gulf of Tehuantepec, near the state of Chiapas. 

Hurricane Maria devastates Puerto Rico, causing nearly 3,000 deaths and major damage estimated to be $90 billion according to official estimates.

Indonesia is struck by a massive earthquake and tsunami.

Millions participate in a Global Climate Strike, led by Greta Thunberg.

Greta Thunberg, the Swedish climate activist, delivers an emotional speech at the United Nations Climate Action Summit, condemning world leaders for their “betrayal” of young people through their inertia and lack of meaningful action action over the climate crisis. She was Sixteen year-old at the time. More