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Major Events of September 1939: 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 1939 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of September 1939: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Sep 1939 Nazi Germany invades Poland, starting World War II: On September 1, 1939, Nazi Germany invaded Poland, marking the official start of World War II in Europe. This invasion was characterized by the use of blitzkrieg tactics, overwhelming Polish defenses. source: britannica.com
  • 02 Sep 1939 Luftwaffe decimates Polish Air Force: On September 2, 1939, the German Luftwaffe launched a series of devastating air attacks against the Polish Air Force, significantly crippling its capabilities. This aerial assault was part of the broader German invasion strategy. source: britannica.com
  • 03 Sep 1939 Britain declares war on Germany: On September 3, 1939, Britain declared war on Germany in response to the invasion of Poland. This declaration marked the official entry of the United Kingdom into World War II. source: britannica.com
  • 04 Sep 1939 Poland-France Mutual Assistance Protocol Signed: On September 4, 1939, France ratified the Kasprzycki–Gamelin Convention, a military agreement with Poland that obligated both nations to assist each other in the event of a German attack. This protocol was intended to strengthen mutual defense against German aggression. source: history.state.gov
  • 05 Sep 1939 United States Declares Neutrality in World War II: On September 5, 1939, the United States declared its neutrality in World War II, opting to avoid direct involvement in the conflict despite global tensions. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 06 Sep 1939 German Invasion of Poland: On September 6, 1939, German forces launched a full-scale invasion of Poland, marking the beginning of World War II. This aggressive action led to widespread destruction and significant loss of life. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 07 Sep 1939 Westerplatte Fortress surrenders in World War II: On September 7, 1939, after seven days of intense fighting, the Polish garrison at Westerplatte, led by Major Henryk Sucharski, surrendered to German forces. The defenders had held out against repeated assaults, artillery bombardments, and air raids, inflicting significant casualties on the Germans. The surrender marked the end of the first battle of the German invasion of Poland, which initiated World War II in Europe. source: liberationroute.com
  • 08 Sep 1939 German invasion of Warsaw begins: On September 8, 1939, German forces commenced their assault on Warsaw, the capital of Poland. This marked a significant escalation in the invasion, leading to the eventual encirclement and siege of the city. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 09 Sep 1939 Battle of the Bzura begins: On September 9, 1939, the Battle of the Bzura commenced as Polish forces launched a counteroffensive against the advancing German troops. The battle aimed to relieve pressure on Warsaw and disrupt German supply lines. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 10 Sep 1939 Canada declares war on Germany: On September 10, 1939, Canada declared war on Germany, marking the first time Canada declared war independently. This decision followed the United Kingdom's declaration of war on Germany on September 3, 1939, in response to Germany's invasion of Poland. source: canada.ca
  • 11 Sep 1939 Panama declares neutrality in World War II: On September 11, 1939, Panama declared its neutrality in World War II, aligning with other American republics to maintain peace in the Western Hemisphere. source: history.state.gov
  • 14 Sep 1939 German forces encircle Warsaw: On September 14, 1939, German forces successfully encircled Warsaw, the capital of Poland, as part of their invasion strategy during World War II. This encirclement marked a significant step in the German campaign against Poland, leading to the city's eventual surrender. source: britannica.com
  • 15 Sep 1939 German Wehrmacht besieges Warsaw: On September 15, 1939, the German Wehrmacht intensified its siege of Warsaw, further tightening its grip on the city. This military action was crucial in the broader context of the invasion of Poland, which was a key early campaign in World War II. source: britannica.com
  • 16 Sep 1939 Border war between Soviet Union and Japan ends: On September 16, 1939, the border war between the Soviet Union and Japan officially came to an end with a ceasefire agreement. This conflict had significant implications for both nations' military strategies and their relations in the years leading up to World War II. source: britannica.com
  • 17 Sep 1939 Soviet invasion of Eastern Poland: On September 17, 1939, the Soviet Union invaded Eastern Poland, following the secret protocol of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. This invasion marked a significant expansion of the conflict in Europe and led to the division of Poland between Germany and the Soviet Union. source: britannica.com
  • 18 Sep 1939 German-Soviet invasion and partition of Poland: On September 18, 1939, the German and Soviet forces completed their invasion and partition of Poland, following the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. This event led to the division of Polish territory between the two powers. source: britannica.com
  • 19 Sep 1939 Hitler's speech on Poland's fate: On September 19, 1939, Adolf Hitler delivered a speech outlining Germany's plans for Poland following its invasion. This speech emphasized the Nazi regime's intentions and justifications for the occupation. source: britannica.com
  • 20 Sep 1939 German army declares Polish campaign complete: On September 20, 1939, the German army officially declared the Polish campaign complete, following the swift invasion and occupation of Poland. This marked a significant early victory for Nazi Germany in World War II. source: britannica.com
  • 21 Sep 1939 Heydrich's meeting on Jewish 'Final Solution': On September 21, 1939, Reinhard Heydrich convened a meeting to discuss the implementation of the 'Final Solution' regarding the Jewish population in Europe. This meeting was a pivotal moment in the planning of the Holocaust, which would lead to the systematic extermination of millions. source: britannica.com
  • 22 Sep 1939 Soviet forces occupy Polish cities: On September 22, 1939, Soviet forces began occupying Polish cities as part of the secret protocol of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. This occupation followed the invasion of Poland by Germany and marked a significant shift in the territorial boundaries of Eastern Europe. source: britannica.com
  • 23 Sep 1939 Cookie Lavagetto's historic baseball performance: On September 23, 1939, Cookie Lavagetto made history by hitting a double in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 4 of the World Series, leading the Brooklyn Dodgers to victory. This moment is remembered as a significant event in baseball history. source: britannica.com
  • 24 Sep 1939 Massive German bombing of Warsaw: On September 24, 1939, German forces conducted massive bombing raids on Warsaw, the capital of Poland. This bombing campaign aimed to demoralize the Polish population and facilitate the German invasion. source: britannica.com
  • 25 Sep 1939 Warsaw falls to Nazi Germany: On September 25, 1939, Warsaw officially fell to Nazi Germany after weeks of intense fighting. The fall of the city marked a significant victory for German forces and a devastating loss for Poland during the early stages of World War II. source: britannica.com
  • 26 Sep 1939 First German aircraft shot down by British forces in WWII: On September 26, 1939, British forces shot down the first German aircraft of World War II. This event marked a significant moment in the air war, showcasing the escalating conflict between Germany and Britain. source: britannica.com
  • 27 Sep 1939 Warsaw falls to German forces: On September 27, 1939, Warsaw officially surrendered to German forces, concluding the Battle of Warsaw. This marked a pivotal moment in the Polish campaign during World War II, leading to the occupation of Poland by Nazi Germany. source: britannica.com
  • 28 Sep 1939 Warsaw surrenders to Nazi Germany: On September 28, 1939, Warsaw officially surrendered to Nazi Germany, marking the end of the Polish campaign. This surrender solidified German control over Poland and was a significant event in World War II. source: britannica.com
  • 29 Sep 1939 First Public Proposal for Water Fluoridation: On September 29, 1939, the first public proposal for water fluoridation was made in the United States. This initiative aimed to improve dental health by reducing cavities in the population, marking a significant public health advancement. source: cdc.gov
  • 30 Sep 1939 Nazi-Soviet Partition of Poland: On September 30, 1939, the partition of Poland between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union was formalized. This division was a direct result of the agreements made in the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact and had lasting effects on the region. source: britannica.com