September draws its name from the Latin septem, meaning 'seventh' - a lingering detail from the time before the year 153BC when September was the seventh month of the ancient Roman calendar. It is the third of four months with 30 days. September's birthstone is the sapphire and its traditional flowers are the aster and the morning glory. September always begins on the same day of the week as December every year. In the Southern Hemisphere, September is the first month of spring.
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September 2 On this date in ancient Athens, an annual Grape Vine Festival was held in honor of the Greek deities Ariadne and Dionysus.
September 13 Egyptian All Souls' Day. Every year on this date, the ancient Egyptians celebrated a religious festival known as The Ceremony of Lighting the Fire. Sacred fires were lit in temples in honour of the spirits of the dead and the goddess Nephthys, protectress of the dead and Queen of the Underworld.
September 17 On this date in 1964, Bewitched (the first television sitcom about a Witch) made its debut on ABC-TV in the USA. It became an instant hit and received 22 Emmy nominations. In ancient Greece, the goddess Demeter was honoured annually on this date with a festival of secret rites.
September 21 or 22 or 23 (Southern Hemisphere Spring Equinox) Today is the Lesser Sabbat of Ostara in the Southern Hemisphere (the Lesser Sabbat of Mabon in the Northern Hemisphere).
September 28 On this date in ancient Athens, the annual Thesmophoria festival was celebrated in honour of the Greek goddess Demeter. The festival lasted until the third day of October.
September 30 In ancient Greece, the Epitaphia was held annually on this date to honour the souls of the warriors slain in battle. |
