September 28: Holidays, Historical Events, Famous Birthdays & Zodiac Sign
On September 28, 1928, a mold spore drifted into Alexander Fleming's petri dish—and medicine was never the same. Welcome to a day of happy accidents.
About September 28
September 28 is a day that honors teachers and seekers of knowledge in more ways than one. In Taiwan and in Chinese-Filipino schools, it's Teachers' Day, celebrated with ceremonies dedicated to Confucius—fitting, since tradition holds the great philosopher was born on this date in 551 BCE. Meanwhile, the Czech Republic observes Statehood Day, commemorating the martyrdom of Duke Wenceslaus I in 935, the patron saint whose legacy inspired the beloved Christmas carol.
The day also brims with turning points. In 1066, William the Conqueror waded ashore in England, launching the Norman Conquest that would reshape English language and culture forever. Nearly nine centuries later, in 1928, Alexander Fleming returned from vacation to find a bacteria-destroying mold growing in his London lab—the accidental discovery of penicillin, which would save countless millions of lives. And in 1542, Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo became the first European to set eyes on California, stepping ashore at what is now San Diego.
Modern milestones abound too: the first aerial circumnavigation was completed in 1924, Ted Williams clinched his legendary .406 batting average in 1941, and in 2008 a private rocket reached orbit for the first time. It's also World Rabies Day globally, and International Right to Know Day—reminders that knowledge, whether medical or civic, remains humanity's most powerful tool.
Holidays & Observances on September 28
- Czech Statehood Day (Czech Republic)
- Freedom from Hunger Day
- International Day for Universal Access to Information
- National Day of Awareness and Unity against Child Pornography (Philippines)
- Teachers' Day (Taiwan and Chinese-Filipino schools in the Philippines), ceremonies dedicated to Confucius are also observed.
- World Rabies Day (International)
Fun & National Days on September 28
- National Drink Beer Day — Raise a glass to one of humanity's oldest beverages—perfect for a September evening.
- National Strawberry Cream Pie Day — Celebrate with a slice of this luscious dessert that bridges summer and fall beautifully.
- National Good Neighbor Day — Bake some cookies, wave hello, or lend a hand—being neighborly never goes out of style.
- Fish Tank Floorshow Night — Pull up a chair and enjoy the hypnotic swimming performance your fish have been rehearsing all year.
- British Home Child Day
- Family Day
- Gold Lining Day
- International Right to Know Day
- Read a Child a Book You Like Day
On This Day in History
- 1066 — William the Conqueror lands his Norman forces on English shores at Pevensey, launching the invasion that transforms English history.
- 1542 — Portuguese explorer Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo arrives at present-day San Diego, becoming the first European to reach California.
- 1787 — The Congress of the Confederation votes to send the newly drafted United States Constitution to state legislatures for ratification.
- 1889 — The General Conference on Weights and Measures formally establishes the length of the meter, standardizing measurement worldwide.
- 1924 — A United States Army team completes the first successful aerial circumnavigation of the globe, taking 175 days across multiple flights.
- 1928 — Alexander Fleming notices a bacteria-killing mold in his London laboratory, the serendipitous discovery that becomes penicillin.
- 1941 — Boston Red Sox slugger Ted Williams finishes the season at .406, becoming the last major league baseball player to bat above .400.
- 1995 — Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat sign the Interim Agreement on the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
- 2008 — SpaceX's Falcon 1 becomes the first privately developed liquid-fuel rocket to deliver a payload into Earth orbit.
- 2014 — Pro-democracy protests erupt across Hong Kong after Beijing imposes restrictive political reforms, launching the Umbrella Movement.
Famous Birthdays on September 28
- -551 — Confucius, Chinese teacher and philosopher whose ethical ideas shaped East Asian civilization for over two thousand years.
- 1841 — Georges Clemenceau, French journalist and politician who led France through the final years of World War I as prime minister.
- 1901 — Ed Sullivan, American television host whose variety show introduced Elvis, the Beatles, and countless acts to millions.
- 1924 — Marcello Mastroianni, Italian-French actor and icon of European cinema who starred in La Dolce Vita and 8½.
- 1929 — Lata Mangeshkar, Indian playback singer whose voice soundtracked thousands of Bollywood films across seven decades.
- 1934 — Brigitte Bardot, French actress turned animal rights activist, one of the defining stars of 1950s and '60s cinema.
- 1938 — Ben E. King, American soul singer best known for the timeless classic 'Stand by Me' and his work with the Drifters.
- 1964 — Janeane Garofalo, American comedian and actress known for sharp wit in films like Reality Bites and Romy and Michele.
- 1972 — Dita Von Teese, American model and performer credited with reviving burlesque as mainstream entertainment in the modern era.
- 1982 — Ranbir Kapoor, Indian actor and one of Bollywood's highest-paid stars, from a legendary Hindi cinema family.