Every day on planet earth is unique.
It’s somebody’s birthday, or the date of another’s death, or perhaps a graduation day. Each day’s uniqueness is proven by the fact that it will never come again. Today, Reader Friday, 9/4/2026 is no different. This is the first day of its appearance…and also the last day the sun will shine on it or the moon will rise over it.
Okay, enough philosophy for one Friday morning.
I ran across an interesting website while brainstorming for today’s post. I’m sure there are other similar websites. Here it is: https://www.onthisday.com/events/september/4
You can click on it and find scads of interesting happenings through the ages on this day.
Like this one: In 1609 Henry Hudson, a famous explorer we studied in school (not sure if kiddos today learn about him, though…) discovered the island known as Manhattan. And, the rest is history!
9/4/1609 will never be repeated, thank you very much, because we certainly don’t need another Manhattan!
TKZers, if you escaped to that website, please share what caught your attention about today’s date in history.
And just for fun, who knows what this is…straight out of history?
I “escaped” down that rabbit hole website and found very coincidental the second date that Hudson may have discovered Manhattan – a week later – September 11… made me go “Hmmmm…”🤔
Hi, George!
Yes, I saw that, too. And per Alan P. in his comment, we need to remember there were already people in Manhattan. Hudson, maybe, was the first European to set foot there.
Have a great weekend, and thanks for stopping by!
That photo looks like an early bookmobile
Ding, ding, ding!
That’s a picture of a bookmobile in my hometown from the ’50’s, I believe. My grandpa used to drive one, and he’d let us ride along sometimes.
Thanks for dropping in this morning!
OHHH!!!! You just tapped on one of the ways I love to nerd out. 😎 Since historical stuff is my favorite, each morning I get a “This Day In History” email. I use that to update a spreadsheet I keep on historical things of note in the United States (a few history notes outside the U.S. but in bulk paying attention to U.S. history).
I find this spreadsheet very helpful. For example, the current story I and a friend are working on is set in 1917 — 1917 is significant not only for U.S. entry into WWI, but we also had the Bisbee Deportation, etc. A caveat is that you cannot use any one source to verify a date in history–sometimes they make errors in the date something happened, and sometimes I think the historical event goes back so far they probably don’t even know the actual date and are just guessing.
As to today, I just went to check this morning’s email and there are several things noted but I will point out one: On this day in 1888, George Eastman patents Kodak camera (for those who can remember when cameras weren’t just on a phone. LOL!)
But I will point out another significant thing about ‘this date in history” – Tuesday Sept. 8, 2026 is the 60 year anniversary of when Star Trek the original series premiered. In celebration, movie theaters are doing a 4 day marathon today through Monday, showing one of the movies each night. My friend and I are going and I can’t wait to watch Trek on the big screen! My favorite character of all time is Mr. Spock, and my favorite movie of all time is Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. I’m so looking forward to this! WOOHOO!!!!!
Trek marathon!!! I had no idea!
Lifelong fan here, too. Definitely a Spock fan, but also adored Bones.
I fully admit, while I’ve rewatched the TV show multiple times over the years, I haven’t seen many of the movies since they first came out. I feel a need to rectify that. Big screen would be as fun as seeing Star Wars in theatre again.
I recall a ST marathon over a weekend. No streaming back then. I pulled out the living room sofa bed and set up camp. People were discovering how long a VCR could work before giving up the ghost.
Mornin’ Brenda!
We. Are. Trekkies! We’re currently watching the series Generations.
I hadn’t heard of the marathon, and thanks for letting us know about the S.T. anniversary. I remember when we started watching it, way back when I was a kiddo. My mom and dad really liked it. Never missed.
And now, we have all of the movies. I guess I’ll root them out and we can watch all of them and celebrate.
Thanks for sharing, and have a great day!
I was in middle school during the first series. Who knew Shatner would still be around being himself by now.
Yep! His mannerisms are very close to his Capt. Kirk persona.
🙂
Fun post, Deb!
I did fall headfirst into that rabbit hole. Amidst all of the tragedy and intrigue, I was thrilled to discover a bit of nostalgia: Xena: Warrior Princess debuted today in 1995.
And I think your photo is of a mobile library/bookmobile?
Hi Cyn!
Now that’s something I’ve never watched. And yes, it is indeed a bookmobile. A relic of the past for sure. If I had my wish, though, I’d choose that over Amazon downloading any day of the week… 🙂
Have a good one!
September 4, 1998 – Sergey Brin and Larry Page incorporate the company using their research project looking at web searching mathematically. They decide “Backrub” doesn’t sound right. They incorporate a misspelling of Googol, a 1 followed by 100 zeros.
Google. You can look it up.
Hi Alan,
I will look it up…a fascinating piece of history.
Thanks…I’ll probably let that search eat up some of my day.
Have a great weekend!
Oh, Henry Hudson did not discover Manhattan. If was the first European to land on Manhattan Island. The Lenape people were already there when he got there.
Yes, indeed…
I shouldn’t have left that piece of history out.
1893: English author Beatrix Potter writes the story of Peter Rabbit for a 5-year-old boy
Good morning, Terry!
Peter Rabbit brings back some memories. I think it was the first story I ever read all by myself, sitting on my mother’s lap while she turned the pages.
Have a great day…
What fun. Fell down the rabbit hole for a good half-hour, Deb. I’m fascinated by the disguise of King Charles II of England in 1651. The king disguised himself as a countryman by rubbing his hands and face with soot. Judging by his portrait with the curly wig and all that satin and velvet, I wonder how soot disguised anything.
Good morning, Elaine!
I have not heard of that piece of history.
It makes me wonder what people 375 years hence will enjoy discovering about us. Or, not enjoy…
Have a great weekend!
Thanks for the link, Deb. Fascinating stuff.
In 1886, Apache Chief Geronimo surrendered on this day, ending the last major US-Indian war.
Good morning, Sue…
Another piece of history…of course, I knew of the surrender, but didn’t know it was on today’s date.
Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!
Thanks, Deb! The website reminded me of the Emperor Taizong, co-founder with his father of the great Tang dynasty of China (AKA “the Middle Country” or “Middle Kingdom”). I had studied the Tang dynasty during my East Asian history studies at Portland State back in the 1980s. A complicated, tangled history.
Good morning, Dale!
Wow…I feel like I’ve had a history lesson from y’all this morning.
Thanks for contributing to the fun, and hope you have a great weekend.
🙂
Hudson got a mention in “Rip Van Winkle” by Washington Irving. Since the Hudson Valley was named after him, that’s not surprising.
Hi Marilyn!
Didn’t know about the Rip Van Winkle mention.
Thanks for dropping in, and hope you have a great day.
There so many interesting things happening on this date, I was hard to pick just one But here goes since I love to take photos: 1888 George Eastman patents the first roll-film camera and registers the brand name “Kodak”!
Oh, Patricia, that’s a good one.
Remember the brownie cameras? I got one for my 12th birthday…and got in all kinds of trouble with it, sneaking around taking pics of my siblings when they weren’t aware. 🤣
Have a great weekend!