HowStuffWorks - September: This Month In History

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HowStuffWorks Presents: This Month In History

Sept. 4, 1609: Island of Manhattan is Founded by Henry Hudson

Henry Hudson, an Englishman, sailed around Manhattan in September 1609 and mapped out the surrounding area. One of the most densely populated areas in the United States, Manhattan functions as the cultural and financial center of the country. Learn more about Manhattan and the other four boroughs in this New York City travel guide. Read More

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Sept. 6, 1959: Mattel's Barbie Goes on Sale

Barbie is one of the world's most popular toys -- young girls assemble armies of different Barbies, and collectors pay high prices for rare vintage models. The doll became an instant success when Mattel introduced it during the 1959 American Toy Fair in New York City. Read More

Sept. 9: Wonderful Weirdos Day
Everyone -- yes, even you -- has a weird side. Sept. 9 is Wonderful Weirdos Day, and it's time to acknowledge all of your strange and awkward quirks. Celebrate weirdness and learn more about Wonderful Weirdos Day. Read More

Sept. 10, 1953: Swanson Sells the First TV Dinner
Frozen dinner and "I Love Lucy" turned out to be the perfect combination, and Swanson Foods changed the way we eat together when it introduced the TV dinner. Learn more about Swanson, TV dinners and frozen foods. Read More

Sept. 15: Responsible Dog Owner Day
Recent coverage on the vicious sport of dogfighting and the mistreatment of animals reminds us to take better care of man's best friend. Learn about taking care of dogs, dog breeding and the special relationship between humans and dogs. Read More

Sept. 20, 1873: NYSE Forced to Close for the First Time
The banking firm of Jay Cooke and Company closed in 1873 after heavy investment in railroad construction. The Panic of 1873 soon swept the nation, causing a wide range of economic troubles. Learn more about how stocks and the stock market work. Read More

Sept. 21, 1937: J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit" Debuts
"The Hobbit" tells the story of Bilbo Baggins' adventures outside of the Shire. The book was first published in 1937, launching one of the most popular literary series of the 20th century. Learn about Hobbit illustrations in this drawing guide from HowStuffWorks. Read More

Sept. 24, 1954: NBC's "The Tonight Show" Debuts
Late-night television and several different comedic hosts have entertained sleepless Americans for decades with a variety of comedy, celebrity guests and music. Learn about the history of "The Tonight Show." Read More

Sept. 26, 1960: First Televised Presidential Debate -- Kennedy vs. Nixon
The first televised presidential debate between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon aired on September 26, 1960, and changed the way we choose our candidates. Learn how presidential debates are run in this exclusive coverage of the 2000 debates. Read More