Last Updated: September 6, 2026
Today in History – September 6 holds immense significance in world history, marking key events in global politics, scientific milestones, constitutional developments, and cultural history. For history enthusiasts and competitive exam aspirants (UPSC, State PSCs, SSC, Banking), this comprehensive guide offers verified facts for September 6.
This article covers:
- Major historical events on September 6
- Famous personalities born on September 6
- National and international observances
- Important current affairs and competitive exam facts
Table of Contents
🌟 Top Highlights of September 6
- First Earth Circumnavigation (1522): The ship Victoria returned to Spain, completing the first circumnavigation of the Earth.
- Eswatini Independence Day (1968): Swaziland gained full sovereignty from the United Kingdom, now officially known as the Kingdom of Eswatini.
- Passing of Akira Kurosawa (1998): Legendary Japanese director and cinematic visionary behind Seven Samurai and Rashomon passed away.
- Section 377 Verdict (2018): The Supreme Court of India decriminalized homosexuality by partially striking down Section 377 of the IPC.
🗓️ Important Historical Events on September 6
1522 – Completion of the First Circumnavigation of the Earth
The Victoria, the only surviving ship of Ferdinand Magellan’s expedition, returned to Sanlúcar de Barrameda in Spain under the command of Juan Sebastián Elcano. This successfully completed the first recorded navigation around the globe and greatly expanded geographical knowledge.
1901 – Assassination Attempt on US President William McKinley
American President William McKinley was shot by anarchist Leon Czolgosz while visiting the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. McKinley later died from his injuries, and Theodore Roosevelt became president.
1965 – Outbreak of the Second Indo-Pakistani War
Following Pakistan’s Operation Gibraltar in Jammu & Kashmir, Indian forces launched a counter-offensive across the International Border toward Lahore. This officially marked the full-scale outbreak of the 1965 Indo-Pakistani War.
1968 – Independence of Swaziland (Eswatini)
The Kingdom of Swaziland formally attained complete independence from British colonial rule. The nation officially renamed itself the Kingdom of Eswatini in 2018. The event marked another step in Africa’s decolonization process.
2018 – India’s Section 377 Judgment
In the historic Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India case, a five-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court of India unanimously decriminalized consensual adult same-sex relations by declaring Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code unconstitutional. The judgment became a landmark in India’s constitutional history.
Other Major Events
- 1819: Thomas Blanchard patented his wood-turning lathe machine.
- 1948: Queen Juliana acceded to the throne of the Netherlands.
- 1997: The public funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, took place at Westminster Abbey, London.
🎂 Famous Birthdays on September 6
| Year | Personality | Domain / Notable Achievement |
| 1766 | John Dalton | English Chemist & Physicist; Father of modern Atomic Theory. |
| 1860 | Jane Addams | American Social Worker & Reformer; first American woman awarded the Nobel Peace Prize (1931). |
| 1892 | Sir Edward Victor Appleton | English Physicist; awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics (1947) for discovering atmospheric layers (Ionosphere). |
| 1923 | Peter II | The last King of Yugoslavia. |
| 1943 | Roger Waters | English musician and co-founder of the iconic rock band Pink Floyd. |
🕯️ Notable Death Anniversaries on September 6
- 1966 – Avula Gopalakrishna Murthy: Eminent Indian rationalist, advocate, and leader of the Radical Humanist movement inspired by M.N. Roy in Andhra Pradesh.
- 1996 – Prof. Tumati Donappa: Distinguished Telugu scholar, linguist, and researcher who served as the first Vice-Chancellor of Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University.
- 1998 — Akira Kurosawa: Iconic Japanese filmmaker who directed classics such as Seven Samurai and Rashomon. He received the Academy Honorary Award for Lifetime Achievement in 1990.
- 2005 — Dr. Perugu Siva Reddy: World-renowned Indian ophthalmologist from Andhra Pradesh who performed over 300,000 free eye surgeries, earning a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records and the Padma Bhushan.
📢 National & International Days Observed on September 6
- Eswatini Independence Day (Somhlolo Day): Celebrated annually on September 6 to mark the nation’s independence from Britain in 1968.
- National Read a Book Day (United States): Observed annually on September 6, this day encourages reading and promotes literacy and lifelong learning.
💡Did You Know?
- The Appleton Layer: Physicist Sir Edward Appleton identified the ‘F-layer’ of the ionosphere, which reflects radio waves and enables long-distance telecommunications.
- World Record Holder: Dr. P. Siva Reddy was credited with conducting the highest number of free cataract surgeries in human history.
- First VC of Telugu Varsity: Prof. Tumati Donappa was appointed the inaugural Vice-Chancellor when Telugu University was established in Hyderabad in 1985.
❓Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: When was John Dalton, developer of the Atomic Theory, born?
Ans: John Dalton was born on September 6, 1766.
Q2: Which African nation celebrates its Independence Day on September 6?
Ans: The Kingdom of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), which gained independence from the UK on September 6, 1968.
Q3: Who was the first Vice-Chancellor of Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University?
Ans: Prof. Tumati Donappa.
Q4: For what discovery did Sir Edward Appleton win the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1947?
Ans: For his investigations into the physics of the upper atmosphere, particularly the discovery of the Appleton Layer in the ionosphere.
Q5: On what date did the Supreme Court of India issue its landmark verdict decriminalizing Section 377?
Ans: September 6, 2018.
Q6: Who was the renowned Indian ophthalmologist associated with September 6 who earned a Guinness World Record?
Ans: Dr. Perugu Siva Reddy (d. September 6, 2005).
Q7: Which famous film director known for ‘Seven Samurai’ passed away on September 6, 1998?
Q8: What major military conflict escalated on September 6, 1965?
Ans: The Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 escalated as Indian forces crossed the International Border in response to Pakistani incursions.