16 September, 1978: An earthquake estimated to be as strong as 7.9 on the Richter scale killed 25,000 people in Iran.

17 September, 1961: The world's first retractable-dome stadium, the Civic Arena, opened in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

18 September, 1812: Great Fire of Moscow burned out after 5 days, 75% of the city destroyed and 12,000 killed.

19 September, 1893: New Zealand became the first country to grant women the right to vote.

20 September, 1956: The first Cannes Film Festival was held, having been delayed seven years due to World War II.

21 September, 1981: Sandra Day O'Connor is unanimously approved by the U.S. Senate as the first female Supreme Court justice.

22 September, 1980: The Iran-Iraq War began as Iraq invades Iran; lasting until August 1988, it was the longest conventional war of the 20th century.