Vikings, Oceans, and Founding Rights!
Get ready, history explorers! September 25th is packed with action. We’re talking about the end of the Viking Age with a surprise battle, a daring explorer seeing a whole new ocean for the first time, and the American founding fathers putting their most important freedoms on paper. It’s a day where massive discoveries and big decisions happened!
On this day in 1066, the Vikings met their match in England, marking the end of their era of raiding! Just a few centuries later, an explorer stumbled upon a giant, brand-new ocean. Talk about a big day for geography! Let’s see what other awesome moments this date holds for us.
What Happened on This Day
King Harold II Defeats the Viking Army
Imagine two massive armies clashing! In 1066, the Viking King Harald Hardrada thought he could conquer England. Nope! English King Harold Godwinson’s army showed up and totally crushed the invaders at the Battle of Stamford Bridge. This victory was so huge that it basically slammed the door shut on the whole Viking Age of conquest. Talk about a historic mic drop!
Explorer Sees the Giant Pacific Ocean
Spanish explorer Vasco Núñez de Balboa was trekking through the dense jungles of Panama. He climbed a mountain, and when he looked down, he saw it—a vast, sparkling blue ocean! He realized the world was bigger than anyone thought. He called it the 'South Sea' because he thought it was on the south side of the land he'd crossed. Today, we know it as the Pacific Ocean!
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America's First Newspaper Gets Shut Down Fast
In Boston, someone tried to print the very first newspaper in the American colonies, called *Publick Occurrences Both Forreign and Domestick*. It was super exciting! But guess what? The British governor didn't like what was written in that very first issue. He immediately ordered it shut down! Only one single copy was ever printed. Talk about a short-lived career!
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The Bill of Rights is Proposed to Congress
After winning the American Revolution, the new leaders knew they needed to spell out exactly what rights citizens had. So, on this day, the first U.S. Congress proposed 12 big ideas—amendments—to the Constitution. Ten of those ideas were quickly approved and became the Bill of Rights! These ten rules protect things like your freedom to speak your mind and practice your religion.
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Little Rock Nine Integrate Central High School
This was a huge moment for fairness in America! Nine brave Black students, known as the Little Rock Nine, tried to go to the all-white Central High School in Arkansas. When angry crowds tried to stop them, President Eisenhower sent U.S. Army soldiers to walk with the students and make sure they could get to class safely. It was a major step toward making sure all kids had equal access to education.
Learn moreFun Facts About September 25
- The Viking King Harald Hardrada was defeated in 1066 wearing chainmail that was supposedly cursed!
- The first American newspaper was only four pages long—and it never got a second issue!
- Balboa’s Pacific Ocean is the world's largest and deepest ocean!
- The 10 amendments that became the Bill of Rights were ratified in 1791.
A Look Back in Time
September 25th often falls in a busy time, historically! In 1066, the Battle of Stamford Bridge happened right after the Normans invaded England, making it a truly dramatic autumn for that island nation. The era of exploration, marked by Balboa’s discovery, opened up global trade routes, connecting continents like never before. Later, the proposal of the Bill of Rights in 1789 shows how important it was for new nations to quickly establish rules for fair government.
Born on This Day
Will Smith
This awesome actor, rapper, and producer starred in *The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air* and major blockbuster movies like *Men in Black*. He’s won Academy Awards and Grammys—a true triple threat entertainer!
Michael Douglas
A major movie star known for roles in thrillers like *Wall Street* and *Basic Instinct*. He’s won multiple Golden Globe and Academy Awards for his performances on the big screen.
Catherine Zeta-Jones
This talented Welsh actress is famous for playing Zorro's love interest and starring in musicals like *Chicago*. She’s won an Oscar and a Tony Award, which is super rare for an actor!
Mark Hamill
He is best known worldwide as Luke Skywalker from the original *Star Wars* trilogy! Even when he’s not flying an X-wing, he’s a famous voice actor, even voicing the Joker in many cartoons.