On This Day, Sept. 21: Armenia declares independence

UPI Staff
·3 min read
A protester draped in an Armenian flag rallies outside the Azerbaijani Consulate General offices in protest over the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan in Los Angeles on November 1, 2020. On September 21 1991, Armenia became the 12th Soviet republic to declare independence. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
A protester draped in an Armenian flag rallies outside the Azerbaijani Consulate General offices in protest over the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan in Los Angeles on November 1, 2020. On September 21 1991, Armenia became the 12th Soviet republic to declare independence. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI

Sept. 21 (UPI) -- On this date in history:

In 1780, American Gen. Benedict Arnold gave plans to the British for the surrender of West Point, New York. Arnold's name was forever after associated with the word "traitor."

In 1792, the Legislative Assembly of revolutionary France voted to abolish the monarchy and establish the First Republic, stripping King Louis XVI of most of his power.

In 1893, the first successful American-made, gasoline-operated motorcar appeared on the streets of Springfield, Mass. It was designed and built by Charles and Frank Duryea.

In 1938, an estimated 600 people were killed by a hurricane that battered the coast of New England.

Participants march down Central Park West at the People's Climate March in New York City on September 21, 2014. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
Participants march down Central Park West at the People's Climate March in New York City on September 21, 2014. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI

In 1981, Sandra Day O'Connor received a unanimous vote in the Senate to become the first female member of the U.S. Supreme Court.

File Photo by Roger L. Wollenberg/UPI
File Photo by Roger L. Wollenberg/UPI
Stephanie Kearny and Jamison Stubbs watch as the rising waters of Lake Pontchartrain crash into the Coast Guard Station at New Orleans, in the background, as Hurricane Georges makes its way toward the Gulf coasts September 27, 1998. On September 21, the storm began its rampage in the Caribbean. File Photo by A.J. Sisco/UPI
Stephanie Kearny and Jamison Stubbs watch as the rising waters of Lake Pontchartrain crash into the Coast Guard Station at New Orleans, in the background, as Hurricane Georges makes its way toward the Gulf coasts September 27, 1998. On September 21, the storm began its rampage in the Caribbean. File Photo by A.J. Sisco/UPI

In 1991, Armenia became the 12th Soviet republic to declare independence.

In 1998, Hurricane Georges began a deadly rampage through the Caribbean, killing more than 600 people. About a week later, the storm made landfall near Biloxi, Miss., with reported gusts up to 172 mph.

Sally Field poses behind the scenes at the taping of "America: A tribute to heroes," which aired September 21, 2001, on all major networks. The telethon raised money for those to died in the terrorist attacks on the Pentagon and World Trade Centers. Photo courtesy Berliner Studio
Sally Field poses behind the scenes at the taping of "America: A tribute to heroes," which aired September 21, 2001, on all major networks. The telethon raised money for those to died in the terrorist attacks on the Pentagon and World Trade Centers. Photo courtesy Berliner Studio

In 1999, a 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck Taiwan, killing at least 2,300 people, injuring thousands and leaving tens of thousands homeless.

In 2001, a telecast by top movie stars and musicians raised more than $500 million for survivors of the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States.

On September 21, 2003, the spacecraft Galileo approached the fringes of Jupiter's atmosphere and then was directed to destroy itself in a high-speed plunge. File Photo courtesy NASA
On September 21, 2003, the spacecraft Galileo approached the fringes of Jupiter's atmosphere and then was directed to destroy itself in a high-speed plunge. File Photo courtesy NASA

In 2003, the spacecraft Galileo approached the fringes of Jupiter's atmosphere and then was directed to destroy itself in a high-speed plunge.

File Photo courtesy of NASA
File Photo courtesy of NASA
Josh Fattal (L) and Shane Bauer, the two American hikers who were released September 21, 2011, after being held in an Iranian prison for more than two years, speak to the press on their imprisonment at the Parker Meridien New York on September 25. File Photo by Laura Cavanaugh/UPI
Josh Fattal (L) and Shane Bauer, the two American hikers who were released September 21, 2011, after being held in an Iranian prison for more than two years, speak to the press on their imprisonment at the Parker Meridien New York on September 25. File Photo by Laura Cavanaugh/UPI

In 2008, Thabo Mbecki, South Africa's president since 1999, stepped down after losing a power struggle with rival Jacob Zuma.

In 2011, American hikers Shane Bauer and Joshua Fattal, imprisoned on espionage charges in Iran for more than two years after wandering across the border, were released.

In 2013, Islamist terrorists ambushed a crowded, upscale shopping mall in Nairobi, Kenya, took hostages and clashed with police. The death toll in the four-day siege was at least 67, with more than 170 people injured. The al-Qaida-linked group al-Shabab claimed responsibility.

In 2014, an estimated 300,000 people participated in a "People's Climate Change" march in New York City. Organizers said it was the largest climate-change march in history. Tens of thousands marched in other cities.

In 2021, the 76th U.N. General Assembly opened in New York, with President Joe Biden making his first address at the diplomat summit.

File Photo by Timothy A. Clary/UPI
File Photo by Timothy A. Clary/UPI