Reader Alert: This article is not intended to diminish the horror of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks or the profound and continuing grief caused by the loss of life that day. We condemned those attacks then, and we mourn their victims now. Our purpose as journalists with an interest in history is simply to recognize that other significant—and sometimes positive—events have also occurred around the world on September 11. This article examines those lesser-known chapters of history.
1789 - Alexander Hamilton became America's first treasury secretary. George Washington nominated him, the Senate confirmed him, and Hamilton took the oath that same day. He proceeded to build much of the young nation's financial system. U.S. Treasury
1814 - An invasion of the United States was stopped. American naval and land forces won the Battle of Plattsburgh on Lake Champlain, forcing a much larger British invasion force to withdraw and strengthening the American position in negotiations that ended the War of 1812. Naval History and Heritage Command
1893 - The modern interfaith movement took an important step forward. The World's Parliament of Religions opened in Chicago, bringing representatives of numerous faiths together for organized international dialogue. Swami Vivekananda delivered his famous appeal for tolerance and religious fellowship.
1928 - Television learned how to tell a story. General Electric's experimental station in Schenectady broadcast The Queen's Messenger, generally recognized as the first dramatic production written or adapted for television.
1951 - San Diego swimmer Florence Chadwick made history. She became the first woman to swim the English Channel in both directions. Her September 11 crossing from England to France took 16 hours and 22 minutes through fog and difficult currents.
1967 - Surveyor 5 landed safely on the Moon. After engineers overcame a potentially disastrous helium leak, the robotic craft touched down in the Sea of Tranquility. It conducted the first chemical analysis of soil on another world and helped establish that the region was safe for Apollo astronauts.
1985 - Pete Rose collected hit No. 4,192. Playing for Cincinnati, Rose singled off San Diego Padres pitcher Eric Show and surpassed Ty Cobb's long-standing major-league career record. Rose eventually finished with 4,256 hits. Show sits on mound as the game was interrupted for several minutes to honor Rose's accomplishment.
1997 - Mars Global Surveyor reached Mars. The NASA spacecraft entered Martian orbit and began a mission that fundamentally improved scientists' understanding of the planet's surface, atmosphere and geological history.
September 11 was also the birthday of several people whose work enriched the world: short-story master O. Henry in 1862, novelist D.H. Lawrence in 1885, football coach Paul "Bear" Bryant in 1913 and composer Arvo Pärt in 1935.
So, yes: long before 2001, September 11 was a date of exploration, courage, invention, athletic achievement and attempts to bring people of different beliefs together.
