30 Surprising September Trivia Questions and Answers
Step into the beauty of autumn with this September Trivia! From historic moments and seasonal traditions to fun facts about the start of fall, these questions are a great way to celebrate the ninth month of the year. Whether you’re testing your knowledge with friends, family, or at a trivia night, September trivia will keep the fun rolling like falling leaves.

1Why is September named “September”?
2Which Roman god was September associated with?
3What was September originally called by the Anglo-Saxons?
4How many days does September have?
5What birthstone is associated with September?
6Which are the birth flowers for September?
7Which U.S. terrorist attack occurred on September 11, 2001?
8What annual U.S. observance is held on September 11?
9Which public holiday focused on peace is observed on September 21?
10What major event regarding Queen Elizabeth II took place on September 9, 2015?
11What significant anthropological discovery was announced on September 10, 2015?
12What was announced on September 28, 2015 by NASA?
13Which famous TV series premiered on September 8, 1966?
14What city was founded in September 1781?
15When was Edmund Halley’s comet first discovered?
16Who patented the Kodak roll-film camera in September 1888?
17Which beloved fictional character was created on September 4, 1893?
18Which bridge between time-honored events ended on September 30, 1949?
19What U.S. tradition regarding TV football began in September?
20Which U.S. event was first televised in September 1947?
21Which nuclear milestone was commissioned on September 30, 1954?
22Which famous American writer was born on September 24, 1896?
23What treaty that formally ended World War II was signed in September 1945?
24What significant U.S. financial event began on September 15, 2008?
25Which famous Author was born on September 21, 1947?
26What popular U.S. holiday marking the end of summer is celebrated in early September?
27What important civil rights event took place on September 4, 1957?
28What famous magazine was first published on September 18, 1851?
29What September event in 1972 shocked the Olympics?
30Which iconic U.S. document was signed into law on September 17, 1787?
Answer Key
- 1. September” comes from the Latin septem, meaning “seven,” because it was originally the seventh month in the Roman calendar before January and February were added.
- 2. Vulcan, the god of fireRomans linked September to Vulcan, likely due to hot late-summer weather or the name’s original placement in the calendar.
- 3. Gerst Monath (“barley month”) or Hǣfest Monath (“harvest month”)These names reflect the agricultural significance of the month, marking barley harvest and overall harvest time.
- 4. 30 daysDespite being originally the seventh month, in the Gregorian calendar September has 30 days.
- 5. SapphireThe sapphire is September’s traditional birthstone, symbolizing wisdom and purity.
- 6. Aster and morning gloryAster represents love, while morning glory signifies affection; both are traditional flowers for September births.
- 7. The 9/11 attacks, when four hijacked planes were crashed into landmarksNearly 3,000 lives were lost, making it the deadliest terrorist attack in U.S. history.
- 8. The September 11 National Day of Service and RemembranceIt is a federally recognized Day of Service to honor victims and encourage community service.
- 9. International Day of Peace (World Peace Day)Launched by the UN, it’s observed globally to promote peace and non-violence.
- 10. She became Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, surpassing Queen VictoriaHer reign exceeded 63 years and 7 months, setting a modern record.
- 11. The discovery of Homo naledi in South AfricaThis added a new species to human ancestry and sparked global interest in human evolution.
- 12. Confirmation of liquid water on MarsThis discovery raised possibilities for microbial life and future exploration.
- 13. Star TrekThis iconic show launched on NBC and is celebrated annually on Star Trek Day.
- 14. Los AngelesIt began as a Spanish pueblo and grew into one of the world’s largest cities.
- 15. September 4, 1682Halley’s observation led to the comet being named after him; it orbits every ~76 years.
- 16. George EastmanThis invention revolutionized photography by making it accessible to consumers.
- 17. Peter Rabbit, by Beatrix PotterHe debuted in a letter to a friend and became an iconic children’s book character.
- 18. The Berlin Airlift concludedIt transported over 2.3 million tons of supplies to West Berlin during the Cold War’s first major crisis.
- 19. First televised college football gameNBC broadcast it in 1939, marking the start of televised football in America.
- 20. The World SeriesIt allowed fans nationwide to watch the championship live for the first time.
- 21. USS Nautilus, the first nuclear-powered submarineIt marked a significant advancement in naval engineering.
- 22. F. Scott FitzgeraldThe author of The Great Gatsby is considered one of the greatest American writers of the 20th century, and his birthday falls in late September.
- 23. The Instrument of Surrender of JapanSigned aboard the USS Missouri on September 2, 1945, it officially ended World War II.
- 24. Lehman Brothers filed for bankruptcyThis collapse marked the largest bankruptcy in U.S. history and triggered the global financial crisis.
- 25. Stephen KingStephen King, the world-renowned horror and suspense novelist, was born on this date, shaping modern horror literature.
- 26. Labor DayObserved on the first Monday in September, it honors the contributions of American workers.
- 27. The Little Rock Nine entered Central High SchoolThis marked a pivotal moment in desegregation after the Brown v. Board of Education ruling.
- 28. The New York TimesLaunched as The New-York Daily Times, it grew into one of the most influential newspapers in the world.
- 29. The Munich MassacreDuring the Summer Olympics, members of the Israeli Olympic team were taken hostage and killed by terrorists.
- 30. The United States ConstitutionSigned at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, it remains the foundation of U.S. governance.


