Today in History: The Allies captured Damascus in 1918, accelerating the collapse of the Ottoman Empire

The following are some of the most significant global events that occurred in history on September 30:

1773 – First Partition of Poland ratified

On September 30, 1773, the Polish parliament, known as the Sejm, ratified the treaty that formally divided the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth among Russia, Prussia, and Austria. This marked the first of three partitions that ultimately erased Poland from the map of Europe for more than a century. The event was a turning point in 18th-century European power politics, cementing the dominance of neighboring empires while triggering unrest and national uprisings that echoed through the Napoleonic era.

1918 – Allied capture of Damascus in World War I

On September 30, 1918, a combined Arab and Australian force led by Emir Faisal and T. E. Lawrence entered Damascus. The fall of the city ended Ottoman control in the region and signaled the empire’s disintegration at the close of World War I. This moment reshaped the Middle East, paving the way for the postwar mandate system and the creation of modern states such as Syria and Lebanon.

1927 – Babe Ruth hits 60 home runs in a single season

On September 30, 1927, Babe Ruth of the New York Yankees hit his 60th home run of the season, a record that would stand for 34 years. The achievement turned Ruth into a global sports icon and symbolized the Golden Age of baseball. It also cemented the sport’s popularity internationally, capturing imaginations well beyond the United States.

1938 – Munich Agreement signed

On September 30, 1938, Germany, Britain, France, and Italy signed the Munich Agreement. The pact allowed Adolf Hitler to annex the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia in exchange for promises of peace. While it was initially hailed as a success by British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, the agreement soon became synonymous with appeasement. It emboldened Hitler and is remembered as a pivotal step toward the outbreak of World War II.

1949 – End of the Berlin Airlift

On September 30, 1949, the Allies officially ended the Berlin Airlift, the massive operation that had supplied West Berlin with food and fuel for more than a year during the Soviet blockade. In total, over two million tons of supplies had been flown into the city. The operation became one of the first major confrontations of the Cold War, a symbol of Western resolve in the face of Soviet pressure, and a milestone in the division of Germany.

1954 – USS Nautilus commissioned

On September 30, 1954, the United States Navy commissioned the USS Nautilus, the world’s first nuclear-powered submarine. Unlike conventional submarines, Nautilus could remain submerged for months without surfacing, revolutionizing naval warfare. It represented a leap forward in Cold War military technology and later achieved another milestone by becoming the first vessel to travel beneath the Arctic ice cap to the North Pole.

1965 – Indonesian “September 30th Movement” coup attempt

On the evening of September 30, 1965, a group of Indonesian army officers attempted a coup by kidnapping and killing six senior generals. Known as the September 30th Movement, the attempt failed but triggered massive political upheaval. General Suharto quickly rose to power, overthrowing President Sukarno and establishing decades of authoritarian rule. The coup and its aftermath reshaped Southeast Asia’s largest country and influenced Cold War dynamics across the region.

1966 – Botswana gains independence

On September 30, 1966, the British protectorate of Bechuanaland became the independent Republic of Botswana. Under its first president, Seretse Khama, Botswana charted a path of democratic governance and development. From one of the poorest nations in Africa, it became a model of political stability and economic growth, setting an example during the continent’s broader wave of decolonization.

1968 – Boeing 747 unveiled

On September 30, 1968, Boeing rolled out the first 747 “Jumbo Jet” at its plant in Everett, Washington. Twice the size of earlier aircraft, the 747 transformed air travel by making long-distance flights more affordable and accessible to millions of passengers worldwide. Nicknamed the “Queen of the Skies,” the aircraft became a symbol of globalization, enabling mass tourism and accelerating international commerce.

2005 – Muhammad cartoons published in Denmark

On September 30, 2005, the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten published twelve cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad. The images sparked international protests and riots, igniting a fierce debate over freedom of speech, religious respect, and cultural sensitivity. The incident reverberated across diplomacy, media, and global politics, and continues to be cited in discussions about the limits of expression in pluralistic societies.