September 06

On September 6, 1620 (Old Style calendar), the Pilgrims boarded the Mayflower at Plymouth harbor. These English Separatists sought religious freedom and economic opportunity in the New World. The transatlantic voyage lasted 66 days before they sighted Cape Cod. They would establish Plymouth Colony, one of the earliest English settlements in North America. Their experience laid foundations for self-governance and religious tolerance in America. This voyage later became central to the Thanksgiving narrative in the United States.

Puritan colonists arrived at Naumkeag (later named Salem) on September 6, 1628. They founded the settlement under the auspices of the Massachusetts Bay Company. Salem quickly grew as a center for trade, agriculture, and shipbuilding. The town's strict religious ethos reflected Puritan values and governance. Salem’s early prosperity set the stage for its later prominence and controversies. It would become infamous for the witch trials in 1692 over six decades later.

On September 6, 1870, under a new Wyoming territorial law, Louisa Ann Swain cast her ballot in a general election, becoming the first woman to vote legally in the United States since early informal votes in 1807. Swain’s historic vote followed the Wyoming Legislature’s landmark decision to grant women suffrage, setting an early example for gender equality. Her action challenged prevailing norms and inspired suffrage campaigns nationwide. Wyoming would later become the first state to enshrine full voting rights for women in its constitution. This moment remains a symbol of progress in the struggle for women’s political rights.

In 1943, the Monterrey Institute of Technology (ITESM) was established in Monterrey, Mexico by Eugenio Garza Sada to foster industry-driven higher education. Starting with just 120 students, it aimed to blend rigorous academic training with practical business skills. Over the following decades, ITESM expanded to multiple campuses across Mexico. It pioneered private-sector partnerships in research and innovation, becoming a model for Latin American universities. Today, it is renowned for its engineering, business and IT programs. With a vast alumni network and strong ties to industry, the institute has played a key role in Mexico's economic development. Its extracurricular offerings and research centers continue to drive technological advancement and social entrepreneurship.

On September 6, 1997, the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales took place at Westminster Abbey in London. The solemn procession was watched by over a million people lining the streets, while an estimated 2.5 billion viewers tuned in worldwide. Diana's coffin, draped in the royal standard, passed through the crowded streets where mourners laid flowers and chanted her name. Family, world leaders, and celebrities gathered to pay their respects, reflecting Diana's global impact. The service included poignant readings and musical performances celebrating her humanitarian work. Following the ceremony, Diana was laid to rest on an island in the grounds of Althorp House, her childhood home. The funeral underscored the public's deep affection for the late Princess and marked the end of an era.