Last Updated: September 28, 2026
Today in History – September 28 holds a legendary status in both Indian and world history. It marks the birth of music icon Lata Mangeshkar. The day also commemorates the death anniversary of Louis Pasteur, the pioneer of microbiology and is observed globally as World Rabies Day and the International Day for Universal Access to Information.
This article covers:
- Major historical events on September 28
- Famous personalities born on September 28
- National and international observances
- Important current affairs and competitive exam facts
Table of Contents
🌟 Top Highlights of September 28
- Birth of Lata Mangeshkar (1929): Birth of Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar, the legendary playback singer known as the ‘Nightingale of India’.
- Demise of Louis Pasteur (1895): Passing away of Louis Pasteur, the renowned French microbiologist who discovered pasteurization and rabies vaccines.
- Passing of the Indo-US Civil Nuclear Deal (2008): The US House of Representatives passed the historic Indo-US Civil Nuclear Agreement (123 Agreement).
🗓️ Important Historical Events on September 28
1823 – Election of Pope Leo XII
Pope Leo XII was elected as the 252nd leader of the Roman Catholic Church, succeeding Pope Pius VII. During his papacy, he introduced conservative administrative reforms within the Vatican and strengthened traditional Catholic doctrines in the 19th century.
1985 – Departure of Indian Army Vessel ‘Trishna’ for Circumnavigation
The Indian Army’s sailing vessel ‘Trishna’ set sail from Bombay (Mumbai) on an expedition to circumnavigate the globe. The expedition successfully concluded on January 10, 1987. It remains a landmark accomplishment in Indian maritime history and adventure sports, demonstrating extraordinary endurance and seamanship.
1993 – Caracas Highway Gas Pipeline Explosion
A major gas pipeline explosion occurred along the Autopista Regional del Centro near Caracas, Venezuela, after fiber-optic cable trenching accidentally ruptured the line, killing 58 people. The tragedy triggered stringent international infrastructure safety mandates and stricter regulation of hazardous material transport lines.
1996 – Imprisonment of Former Union Minister Sukh Ram
Former Union Telecom Minister Sukh Ram was remanded to Delhi’s Tihar Jail following allegations and investigations into the multi-crore telecom scam and disproportionate assets. A pivotal milestone in Indian anti-corruption jurisprudence, reinforcing judicial accountability for high-ranking political executives.
2008 – US House of Representatives Approves Indo-US Civil Nuclear Deal
The United States House of Representatives passed the US-India Nuclear Cooperation Approval and Non-Proliferation Enhancement Act (123 Agreement) with a decisive majority. Ended India’s decades-long nuclear isolation on the global stage and solidified a strategic partnership between India and the United States.
2013 – Telangana Praja Garjana Rally in Mahabubnagar
A massive public rally named “Telangana Praja Garjana” was held in Mahabubnagar (Palamuru), addressed by senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj. A decisive political event that built cross-party consensus and accelerated the legislative process for the creation of the state of Telangana.
2016 – Indian Army Conducts Surgical Strikes Across LoC
In response to the terrorist attack on the Indian Army camp at Uri, Indian Armed Forces executed precision surgical strikes against terrorist launchpads across the Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan-administered Kashmir (night of September 28–29). Re-defined India’s strategic defense doctrine regarding counter-terrorism and cross-border security responses.
Other Major Events
- 1837: Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar ascended the throne of Delhi.
- 1887: The Yellow River (Huang He) flooded in China, resulting in an estimated 900,000 to 2,000,000 deaths, one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history.
- 1939: Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union signed the German–Soviet Boundary and Friendship Treaty, partitioning Poland between them.
🎂 Famous Birthdays on September 28
| Year | Personality | Domain / Notable Achievement |
| 551 BCE | Confucius | Ancient Chinese philosopher; founder of Confucianism. |
| 1895 | Gurram Jashuva | Iconic Telugu poet; author of landmark works like Gabbilam and Firadausi. |
| 1909 | Paidi Jairaj | Acclaimed actor and director from Telangana; Dadasaheb Phalke Awardee (1980). |
| 1929 | Lata Mangeshkar | Legendary Indian playback singer; recipient of the Bharat Ratna. |
| 1982 | Abhinav Bindra | India’s first individual Olympic Gold Medalist (10m Air Rifle, Beijing 2008). |
| 1982 | Ranbir Kapoor | Prominent Indian Hindi film actor and producer. |
🕯️ Notable Death Anniversaries on September 28
- 1895 – Louis Pasteur: French microbiologist and chemist who pioneered the principles of vaccination (rabies, anthrax) and pasteurization, revolutionizing public health and medicine.
- 1973 – Adiraju Veerabhadra Rao: Renowned historian, epigraphist, and linguist who conducted extensive research on the history and culture of Telangana.
- 1991 – Shankar Guha Niyogi: Prominent labor union leader and founder of the Chhattisgarh Mukti Morcha.
- 2004 – Mulk Raj Anand: Pioneer of Indian English literature, best known for classic novels such as Untouchable and Coolie.
- 2016 – Shimon Peres: former President of Israel.
📢 National & International Days Observed on September 28
- World Rabies Day: Initiated by the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) and endorsed by the WHO. Designated on September 28 to honor the death anniversary of Louis Pasteur, the French chemist and microbiologist who developed the first successful rabies vaccine. To promote rabies prevention, animal vaccination, and community awareness. Aligns with the global UN target ‘Zero by 30’—eliminating human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030.
- International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI): Proclaimed by UNESCO in 2015 and officially adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2019. This observance promotes transparency, access to information, and democratic governance. Essential for promoting public transparency, anti-corruption, and Sustainable Development Goal 16.
- International Safe Abortion Day: First established as a day of action in Latin America and the Caribbean in 1990, expanding globally under international civil society networks. Advocates for women’s reproductive rights and access to safe, legal healthcare services.
- Gunners Day (Indian Army Artillery): Marks the raising of the 5th (Bombay) Mountain Battery on September 28, 1827. Commemorates the valour, history, and achievements of the Regiment of Artillery in the Indian Army.
💡Did You Know?
- Historic Olympic First: Abhinav Bindra became the first Indian individual Olympic gold medalist on August 11, 2008. His birthday falls on September 28.
- Memorializing Pasteur: World Rabies Day is observed on September 28 specifically because it marks the death anniversary of Louis Pasteur, who developed the first effective rabies vaccine.
- Telangana’s Dadasaheb Phalke Awardee: Paidi Jairaj, born in Karimnagar on September 28, 1909, remains the only personality from the Telangana region to win the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award (1980).
❓Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Why is World Rabies Day observed on September 28 every year?
Ans: It commemorates the death anniversary of Louis Pasteur, the French microbiologist who developed the first successful rabies vaccine.
Q2: Who was the first Indian to win an individual Olympic Gold Medal, and when is his birthday?
Ans: Abhinav Bindra, who won the Gold Medal in 10m Air Rifle Shooting at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He was born on September 28, 1982.
Q3: When did the US House of Representatives approve the Indo-US Civil Nuclear Deal?
Ans: On September 28, 2008.
Q4: Which legendary actor from Telangana received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award?
Ans: Paidi Jairaj (P. Jairaj), who was born on September 28, 1909, in Karimnagar. He received the award in 1980.
Q5: Who authored the famous Telugu literary masterpieces Gabbilam and Firadausi?
Ans: Gurram Jashuva, born on September 28, 1895.
Q6: What does ‘Gunners Day’ represent in the Indian Armed Forces?
Ans: It marks the raising day of the first Indian Artillery unit (5th Bombay Mountain Battery) on September 28, 1835.
Q7: Which international body leads the observation of International Day for Universal Access to Information?
Ans: UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization).