What Happened on September 4?
September 4 is National Wildlife Day — celebrating animals and wild places — on the same date Google was founded in 1998, Eastman patented the Kodak camera in 1888, and Los Angeles began as a Spanish pueblo in 1781.
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1781 — Los Angeles is founded as El Pueblo de Los Ángeles
On September 4, 1781, Spanish settlers founded El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles — today’s Los Angeles. Read the full story →
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1886 — Apache leader Geronimo surrenders
On September 4, 1886, Apache leader Geronimo surrendered to U.S. forces in Arizona — ending the major armed Apache resistance in the Southwest. Read the full story →
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1888 — George Eastman patents the Kodak camera
On September 4, 1888, George Eastman received a patent that helped launch the Kodak camera — photography for ordinary people. Read the full story →
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1951 — First live coast-to-coast TV broadcast in the U.S.
On September 4, 1951, Americans watched the first live transcontinental television broadcast — President Truman addressing the Japanese Peace Treaty conference in San Francisco. Read the full story →
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1957 — The Little Rock Nine are blocked from Central High School
On September 4, 1957, Arkansas National Guard troops blocked nine Black students — the Little Rock Nine — from entering Central High School. Read the full story →
Famous birthdays
Beyoncé (1981) · Mitzi Gaynor (1931) · Damon Stoudamire (1973) · Daniel Inouye (1924–2012)
Days & observances
National Wildlife Day · Newspaper Carrier Day · National Macadamia Nut Day · Eat an Extra Dessert Day