Major Events of September 1920: Key Historical Moments from the Month
Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from September 1920 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of September 1920: Key Historical Moments from the Month
- 02 Sep 1920 Abolition of corporal punishment in British Indian Army: On September 2, 1920, an amendment to the Indian Army Act abolished corporal punishment for Indian soldiers and followers, introducing field punishment as a substitute during active service. This change occurred approximately 40 years after flogging was abolished for British soldiers in 1881. source: cambridge.org
- 07 Sep 1920 1920 Garfagnana earthquake in Italy: On September 7, 1920, a magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck the Garfagnana and Lunigiana regions in Tuscany, Italy, causing significant destruction and resulting in 171 fatalities. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 08 Sep 1920 First transcontinental air mail service in the United States: On September 8, 1920, the U.S. Post Office Department inaugurated the first transcontinental air mail service, connecting New York and San Francisco, marking a significant advancement in mail delivery. source: postalmuseum.si.edu
- 12 Sep 1920 Restoration of the Serbian Patriarchate: On September 12, 1920, the Serbian Orthodox Church restored its Patriarchate in Sremski Karlovci, unifying various dioceses into a single autocephalous church. This historic event marked the re-establishment of the Patriarchate of Peć, with Metropolitan Dimitrije of Belgrade elected as the first patriarch. source: serborth.org
- 17 Sep 1920 National Football League Founding: On September 17, 1920, the National Football League (NFL) was founded in Canton, Ohio, as the American Professional Football Association (APFA). The league was established to organize professional football teams and set standardized rules for the sport. source: profootballhof.com
- 20 Sep 1920 Black and Tans burn Balbriggan: On September 20, 1920, British forces known as the Black and Tans burned the town of Balbriggan in Ireland. This act was part of the violent conflict during the Irish War of Independence, resulting in significant destruction and loss of life. source: historyireland.com
- 21 Sep 1920 Balbriggan burning incident: The Balbriggan burning incident occurred on September 21, 1920, following the earlier attack by the Black and Tans. This event further escalated tensions during the Irish War of Independence, leading to widespread outrage. source: historyireland.com
- 22 Sep 1920 Black Sox scandal investigation begins: The investigation into the Black Sox scandal began on September 22, 1920, following allegations that several players conspired to fix the 1919 World Series. This scandal had a lasting impact on Major League Baseball. source: britannica.com
- 23 Sep 1920 Alexander Millerand elected president of France: Alexander Millerand was elected President of France on September 23, 1920. His presidency was marked by efforts to stabilize the French government during a tumultuous post-World War I period. source: britannica.com
- 28 Sep 1920 Eddie Cicotte's confession in Black Sox scandal: On September 28, 1920, Chicago White Sox pitcher Eddie Cicotte confessed to a grand jury his involvement in fixing the 1919 World Series. He admitted to accepting a $10,000 bribe from gamblers to intentionally lose games during the series. This confession was pivotal in exposing the Black Sox scandal, leading to the indictment of eight players and several gamblers. Cicotte later recanted his confession, but the damage to his career was irreversible, resulting in his lifetime ban from baseball. source: encyclopedia.com