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Major Events of September 2009: 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 2009 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of September 2009: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Sep 2009 Guatemalan war criminal sentenced: A Guatemalan court sentenced former military officer Pedro Pimentel Rios to 6,060 years in prison for his role in the 1982 Dos Erres massacre, where over 200 people were killed. source: bbc.com
  • 02 Sep 2009 Magnitude 7.0 earthquake hits West Java, Indonesia: On September 2, 2009, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck off the southern coast of West Java, Indonesia, resulting in at least 81 deaths, over 1,297 injuries, and displacing more than 210,000 people. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 03 Sep 2009 Aung San Suu Kyi's legal appeal: On September 3, 2009, a Yangon court rejected Aung San Suu Kyi's appeal against her extended house arrest. The court upheld her conviction for violating the terms of her house arrest after an uninvited visitor entered her home. Her legal team planned to take the case to the high court. source: taipeitimes.com
  • 05 Sep 2009 Irish Diplomatic Mission to Sudan Regarding Kidnappings: Ireland's Minister for External Affairs, Micheal Martin, traveled to Khartoum to engage with Sudanese officials concerning the kidnappings of Hilda Kawuki and Sharon Commins, which occurred nine weeks prior.
  • 06 Sep 2009 Political unrest erupts in Gabon: On September 6, 2009, political unrest broke out in Gabon following disputed election results. Protests and clashes occurred as citizens expressed dissatisfaction with the government, leading to heightened tensions in the region. source: bbc.com
  • 07 Sep 2009 Israel approves new West Bank settlements: On September 7, 2009, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak authorized the construction of 455 new settler homes in the occupied West Bank. This decision marked the first such approval since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took office in March 2009. The approved homes were to be built in areas Israel intends to retain in any future peace agreement with the Palestinians. The move drew swift condemnation from the United States, which had been pressuring Israel to halt settlement expansion to facilitate peace negotiations. source: abc.net.au
  • 08 Sep 2009 Death of Aage Bohr, Danish physicist: On September 8, 2009, Aage Bohr, a Danish physicist and Nobel laureate, passed away at the age of 87. Bohr was renowned for his contributions to nuclear physics, particularly his work on the structure of atomic nuclei. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1975 for his discoveries in this field. His death marked the loss of a significant figure in the scientific community. source: nobelprize.org
  • 09 Sep 2009 Joe Wilson's controversial outburst: On September 9, 2009, during a joint session of the U.S. Congress, Representative Joe Wilson of South Carolina interrupted President Obama's address on healthcare reform by shouting, "You lie!" This outburst was widely condemned as a breach of decorum and civility. Wilson later apologized for his behavior, but the incident sparked debates over political discourse and respect in the legislative process. source: cnn.com
  • 10 Sep 2009 British government apologizes to Alan Turing: On September 10, 2009, the British government issued a formal apology to the family of Alan Turing, the renowned mathematician and computer scientist, for his prosecution in 1952 for homosexual acts, which led to his chemical castration. The apology acknowledged the 'appalling' treatment Turing received and was part of a broader effort to address historical injustices against LGBTQ individuals in the UK. source: bbc.com
  • 11 Sep 2009 Former Taiwanese president sentenced for corruption: On September 11, 2009, former Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian was sentenced to life imprisonment for corruption charges. The court found him guilty of embezzling state funds and accepting bribes during his tenure as president. source: reuters.com
  • 12 Sep 2009 Venezuela acquires Russian missiles: On September 12, 2009, Venezuela announced the acquisition of Russian missiles, escalating tensions in the region. This deal was seen as a move to bolster Venezuela's military capabilities amid ongoing geopolitical challenges. source: reuters.com
  • 13 Sep 2009 Brazilian president criticizes global economic institutions: On September 13, 2009, the Brazilian president publicly criticized global economic institutions for their handling of the financial crisis. This statement reflected growing discontent among emerging economies regarding international financial governance. source: bbc.com
  • 14 Sep 2009 US Special Forces attack Al-Shabab in Somalia: On September 14, 2009, US Special Forces conducted an operation against Al-Shabab militants in Somalia. This action was part of ongoing efforts to combat terrorism in the region and protect US interests. source: reuters.com
  • 15 Sep 2009 Bernanke signals end of economic recession: On September 15, 2009, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke indicated that the economic recession was likely coming to an end. His remarks were seen as a positive sign for the US economy and financial markets. source: reuters.com
  • 16 Sep 2009 UN Goldstone Report on Gaza Conflict: On September 16, 2009, the United Nations released the Goldstone Report, officially titled "Human Rights in Palestine and Other Occupied Arab Territories: Report of the United Nations Fact-Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict." The report concluded that both Israel and Palestinian armed groups committed war crimes and possibly crimes against humanity during the Gaza conflict. source: un.org
  • 17 Sep 2009 Suicide attack on AMISOM compound in Somalia: A suicide bomber targeted the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) compound, resulting in multiple casualties. This attack highlighted the ongoing violence and instability in Somalia, attributed to militant groups like Al-Shabaab. source: bbc.com
  • 18 Sep 2009 Ahmadinejad's Holocaust denial: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad made controversial statements denying the Holocaust during a speech, which sparked widespread outrage and condemnation from various international leaders and organizations. This incident highlighted ongoing tensions regarding Iran's stance on historical events. source: bbc.com
  • 19 Sep 2009 Sarkozy pressures Czech Republic on Lisbon Treaty: French President Nicolas Sarkozy urged the Czech Republic to ratify the Lisbon Treaty, emphasizing its importance for European integration. This pressure came amid ongoing debates about the treaty's implications for EU governance. source: reuters.com
  • 20 Sep 2009 War crimes transfer: Ndahimana to face ICTR trial: The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) announced the transfer of Ndahimana to face trial for war crimes. This case is part of ongoing efforts to address accountability for atrocities committed during the Rwandan genocide. source: reuters.com
  • 21 Sep 2009 Typhoon Ketsana devastates Southeast Asia: Typhoon Ketsana struck Southeast Asia, causing widespread destruction and significant loss of life. The storm affected countries such as the Philippines, Vietnam, and Cambodia, leading to severe flooding and displacement of thousands. Emergency response efforts were mobilized to assist affected communities. source: bbc.com
  • 22 Sep 2009 Obama pushes for Middle East peace process: President Barack Obama emphasized the importance of advancing the Middle East peace process during his address at the UN General Assembly. He called for renewed efforts to achieve a two-state solution, highlighting the need for dialogue and cooperation among nations in the region. This initiative aimed to address long-standing conflicts. source: whitehouse.gov
  • 23 Sep 2009 Massive dust storm in Australia: A massive dust storm swept across Australia, affecting several states and causing significant visibility issues. The storm was attributed to prolonged drought conditions and high winds, leading to health warnings for residents. The event highlighted the impact of climate conditions on daily life in Australia. source: bbc.com
  • 24 Sep 2009 G20 Summit in Pittsburgh: The 2009 G20 Pittsburgh Summit was held from September 24 to 25, 2009, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. Leaders from the G20 nations convened to discuss global economic issues, including financial market reforms and strategies for sustainable growth. The summit aimed to address the challenges posed by the global financial crisis and to coordinate international responses. source: un.org
  • 25 Sep 2009 G-20 Pittsburgh Summit reshapes global economic governance: The 2009 G-20 Pittsburgh Summit, held on September 24-25, 2009, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, resulted in significant reforms to global economic governance. Leaders agreed to establish the G-20 as the new permanent council for international economic cooperation, aiming to better reflect the realities of the 21st century and to coordinate responses to global economic challenges. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 26 Sep 2009 Typhoon Ketsana devastates Philippines: On September 26, 2009, Typhoon Ketsana struck the Philippines, causing widespread flooding and significant damage. The typhoon led to numerous fatalities, displaced thousands of people, and prompted large-scale humanitarian and rescue operations to assist affected communities.
  • 27 Sep 2009 Afghanistan troop request by U.S. military: On September 27, 2009, U.S. military officials requested additional troops for Afghanistan to combat rising violence and stabilize the region. This request was part of a broader strategy to enhance security and support the Afghan government. source: nytimes.com
  • 28 Sep 2009 North Korea revises its constitution: On September 28, 2009, North Korea announced revisions to its constitution, which included changes to the political structure and leadership roles. This move was seen as an effort to solidify Kim Jong-il's power. source: reuters.com
  • 29 Sep 2009 2009 Samoa earthquake and tsunami: On September 29, 2009, a powerful earthquake struck near Samoa, triggering a devastating tsunami that affected several islands. The disaster resulted in significant loss of life and property damage. source: bbc.com
  • 30 Sep 2009 7.6 magnitude earthquake strikes off Sumatra, Indonesia: On September 30, 2009, a 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, near the cities of Padang and Pariaman. The earthquake resulted in significant casualties and damage, with the Indonesian government estimating 1,195 deaths and substantial destruction to around 140,000 houses and 4,000 buildings. Most casualties were due to building collapses in Padang and landslides in the surrounding mountain regions. source: usgs.gov