Hobbits, Helicopters, and Hot Wheels!
Get ready for an amazing September 21st! Today we jump from the magical world of dragons and dwarves to the early days of cars that didn't even have a roof! We also celebrate a HUGE step forward for fairness in law and even say goodbye to a space probe near Jupiter. History is full of wild adventures!
Did you know that on this very day, the author who created Middle-earth published his first book? Also, the first American company to build cars started up, and a helicopter that still flies in militaries today took to the skies! Talk about a date with destiny!
What Happened on This Day
The Hobbit Rolls Off the Press!
Imagine a book that leads to an entire world! On September 21, 1937, author J.R.R. Tolkien finally published his book *The Hobbit*. It was about a little hobbit named Bilbo Baggins who gets swept up in an adventure with dwarves and a grumpy dragon named Smaug. This story was so popular that it inspired Tolkien to write the even bigger epic, *The Lord of the Rings*! Suddenly, a quiet fantasy story became the start of a legend.
America's First Car Company Starts Rolling!
Forget the shiny cars you see today! Back in 1895, the Duryea Motor Wagon Company officially became the first American company to start building *actual* automobiles for sale. Imagine what these first 'horseless carriages' looked like—probably more like wagons with motors stuck in! This was the official launch of the American car industry, paving the way for all the road trips and car races we love today. Vroom vroom!
First Female Supreme Court Justice Approved!
This day was a massive win for equality in the USA! Sandra Day O’Connor was unanimously approved by the U.S. Senate to become the very first woman to serve as a Justice on the Supreme Court. Think of the Supreme Court as the ultimate rule-makers for the country; having a woman there for the first time was a huge deal! It showed girls everywhere that they could reach the highest levels of law and power.
The Mighty Chinook Helicopter Takes Flight!
On this day, a massive twin-rotor helicopter, the Boeing CH-47 Chinook, flew for the very first time. This helicopter is like a flying truck—it's huge and powerful! The Chinook has been used by the US military for decades to lift heavy equipment, rescue people from disasters, and carry lots of troops. Some versions are still flying today, proving that good engineering really lasts!
Benedict Arnold's Secret Plot Revealed
Uh oh, a famous traitor! During the American Revolution, Benedict Arnold—a once-celebrated American general—handed over secret plans for the crucial fort at West Point to the British. He planned to switch sides! When his plot was discovered, it shocked everyone. It was a huge moment of betrayal that could have changed the outcome of the war, but the Americans caught on just in time. Betrayal sure makes for exciting history!
Learn moreFun Facts About September 21
- Fans often celebrate Tolkien's *The Hobbit* publication on September 22nd, calling it 'Hobbit Day'!
- Sandra Day O'Connor served on the U.S. Supreme Court for 24 years!
- The Duryea Motor Wagon Company's first car cost about $1,150—a lot back then!
- NASA crashed the Galileo spacecraft into Jupiter in 2003 to stop it from possibly contaminating the planet's moons.
A Look Back in Time
September 21st often lands as the first day of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere, a time of harvest and change. Historically, this date has seen big shifts in power, like the French monarchy being abolished during their Revolution in 1792. It also features moments where new things take hold—from the first cars hitting the road to the beginning of one of the world's most famous fantasy book series. It’s a day that proves history is a mix of epic battles and brand-new ideas.
Born on This Day
Stephen King
The King of Horror! Stephen King has written tons of super scary and thrilling books like *It*, *Carrie*, and *The Shining*. He's great at showing how everyday people react when totally bizarre and spooky things happen around them. Grab a nightlight before reading his stuff!
Bill Murray
A comedy legend known for his super dry, deadpan humor! You might know him from funny movies like *Ghostbusters* or *Groundhog Day*. He can make you laugh just by staring at the camera with a straight face. What a cool, laid-back actor!
H. G. Wells
H. G. Wells was an amazing storyteller who basically helped invent science fiction! He wrote classics like *The Time Machine* and *The War of the Worlds*, imagining incredible future tech and alien invaders. He made us wonder what amazing, and sometimes scary, things the future might hold.
Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen was a fantastic Canadian singer, songwriter, and poet. His songs are known for being deep, thoughtful, and beautiful. He had a very distinctive, low voice that made listening to his music feel like hearing an important story being told just to you.