Historical Events on September 4
- 1781: 44 Spanish settlers found the American city of Los Angeles. It’s original name is El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora La Reina de los Ángeles de Porciúncula – which translates as “The village of our lady, the queen of the angels of Porziuncola.
- 1812: During the War of 1812, Fort Harrison is set ablaze – thereby beginning the Siege of Fort Harrison.
- 1882: Beginning of the Electrical Age. Thomas Edison starts the first commercial electrical plant. It lights one square mile of lower Manhattan.
- 1886: Apache leader Geronimo surrenders to U.S General Nelson Miles in the state of Arizona. This ends almost three decades of fighting during the American Indian Wars by Geronimo and his followers.
- 1888: George Eastman gets a patent for a camera that uses roll film and gets the name Kodak trademarked.
- 1941: A German submarine attacks the USS Greer during World War II.
- 1944: During WWII, The Belgian city of Antwerp is liberated byt the British 11th Armored Division.
- 1948: Citing health reasons, Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands abdicates her throne.
- 1957: In order to prevent African-American students from enrolling in Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus calls out the National Guard.
- 1957: The Edsel is introduced by American automaker Ford Motor Company.
- 1967: United States Marines attack the North Vietnamese in battle in the Que Son Valley during the Vietnam War. This military action is dubbed Operation Swift.
- 1971: Over 100 people are killed when an Alaska Airline Flight crashes near Juneau, Alaska.
Famous Birthdays on September 4
- American singer-songwriter Blackie Lawless is born in 1956.
- American actress, dancer and choreographer Khandi Alexander is born in 1957.
- American actor, screenwriter and director Damon Wayans is born in 1960.
- American actor Max Greenfield is born in 1980.
- American singer-songwriter, dancer, actress and producer Beyonce is born in 1981.