Battle of Homildon Hill results in an English victory over Scotland.

The Battle of Homildon Hill took place on September 14, 1402, between an English army led by Henry Percy, 1st Earl of Northumberland, and his son Henry ‘Hotspur’ Percy, and a Scottish force under the command of Archibald Douglas, 4th Earl of Douglas. The battle was part of the continuing border conflicts between England and Scotland during this period.

The battle occurred near Wooler, Northumberland, at Homildon Hill, after the Scots, led by Douglas, had raided into northern England. The English forces intercepted the Scots as they were attempting to retreat with their loot. Rather than engaging in close combat, the English used their longbowmen—a highly effective military tactic at the time. The English archers rained arrows on the Scottish troops, resulting in a devastating defeat for Douglas’s army.

The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is adopted by the United Nations General Assembly.

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) is a landmark international instrument that establishes a universal framework of minimum standards for the survival, dignity, well-being, and rights of Indigenous peoples. It was adopted by the UN General Assembly on September 13, 2007, after decades of negotiation and advocacy by Indigenous groups and human rights organizations.

Self-determination: Indigenous peoples have the right to freely determine their political status and pursue their economic, social, and cultural development.
Cultural Rights: It emphasizes the right to maintain and strengthen their distinct political, legal, economic, social, and cultural institutions while retaining their customs, traditions, and languages.
Land and Resources: Indigenous peoples have the right to their traditional lands, territories, and resources, including protection from forced displacement. This also covers the right to give or withhold consent for projects affecting their lands (Free, Prior, and Informed Consent – FPIC).
Non-discrimination: The declaration affirms that Indigenous peoples should not be subject to discrimination in any form.
Participation: Indigenous peoples have the right to participate in decision-making on matters that would affect their rights, and to develop their own institutions.
Protection of Indigenous Knowledge: The declaration protects Indigenous intellectual property, including their traditional knowledge, cultural expressions, and heritage.

Although the declaration is non-binding, meaning it does not create legal obligations for states, it represents a significant moral and political commitment by governments to respect the rights of Indigenous peoples. Many nations have incorporated aspects of the declaration into domestic policies, and it has influenced international law, even if not universally enforced.

The declaration was initially met with resistance from some countries, including the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia, but they later endorsed it, acknowledging its importance in promoting Indigenous rights.

Cave paintings are discovered in Lascaux, France.

The cave paintings in Lascaux, France, are some of the most famous examples of prehistoric art, dating back to around 17,000 years during the Upper Paleolithic period. They are primarily located in the Lascaux cave complex in southwestern France and were discovered in 1940. These paintings offer remarkable insights into the lives, beliefs, and artistic abilities of early humans.

Battle of Stirling Bridge: Scots jointly led by William Wallace and Andrew Moray defeat the English.

The Battle of Stirling Bridge, fought on September 11, 1297, was a significant engagement during the First War of Scottish Independence. It was a key victory for the Scots against the English army.

The battle took place near the town of Stirling in central Scotland, at a strategically important crossing of the River Forth. The Scots were led by William Wallace and Andrew Moray, who had united to resist English rule under King Edward I.

German pirate Klein Henszlein and 33 of his crew are beheaded in Hamburg

Klein Henszlein was a notorious German pirate active in the late 16th century, particularly around the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. His full name was Peter Henztlein, though he was commonly known as “Klein” (meaning “little”) because of his relatively small stature. Henszlein led a sizable pirate crew and was responsible for numerous acts of piracy, including attacks on merchant ships.

He gained notoriety for his ruthless methods and was eventually captured in 1573 by the Danish authorities. Following his arrest, Henszlein and many members of his crew were executed in Hamburg, Germany, by decapitation. His death marked one of the largest mass executions of pirates in Northern Europe at the time.

Klein Henszlein’s life and exploits are often referenced in historical records as part of the broader history of piracy in Europe during the 16th century. His legacy contributed to the efforts by several northern European nations to combat piracy during this era.

Possible start of the Great Famine of Ireland.

The Great Famine of Ireland, also known as the Irish Potato Famine, occurred between 1845 and 1852. It was a period of mass starvation, disease, and emigration in Ireland. The main cause of the famine was a potato blight (a disease caused by the water mold Phytophthora infestans), which devastated potato crops throughout Europe. However, the impact in Ireland was particularly severe because potatoes were the staple food for much of the Irish population, especially the rural poor.

The landmark American science fiction television series Star Trek premieres with its first-aired episode, “The Man Trap”.
“Star Trek” is a science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry that first aired in 1966. The show is set in the 23rd century and follows the adventures of the starship USS Enterprise and its crew as they explore space, encountering new civilizations, solving interstellar conflicts, and boldly going “where no man has gone before.”

The original series (often referred to as Star Trek: The Original Series or TOS) is centered around Captain James T. Kirk, his first officer Spock (a half-human, half-Vulcan with a logical mindset), and chief medical officer Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy. The crew represents a diverse group, including characters like communications officer Lt. Uhura, engineer Scotty, and helmsman Sulu.

“Star Trek” often tackled complex themes like exploration, the nature of humanity, diversity, ethics, and social justice. It also envisioned a future where different species, races, and cultures worked together peacefully, making it known for its optimistic view of humanity’s future. Though the original series only ran for three seasons, it spawned multiple spin-offs, movies, and a massive franchise that has become a cornerstone of popular science fiction culture.

In Atlantic City, New Jersey, the first Miss America Pageant, a two-day event, is held.

The Miss America Pageant is a long-running competition in the United States that started in 1921. Originally a beauty pageant, it has evolved over the years into a scholarship competition focused on leadership, talent, and social impact. The pageant’s goal is to empower women through education and advocacy.

Talent Competition: Contestants perform a talent such as singing, dancing, or playing a musical instrument.
Interview: Contestants are judged on their ability to articulate opinions and demonstrate knowledge of current events.
Social Impact Initiative: Each contestant selects an issue to promote, such as health advocacy, education reform, or women’s rights.
Evening Wear: Although this segment is less emphasized than in the past, it remains part of the tradition.
Scholarships: Miss America awards scholarships to contestants to further their education.

Winners take on the role of ambassadors for various charitable causes, and the competition has shifted away from traditional notions of beauty, focusing more on accomplishments, leadership, and community service.

Sam Houston is elected as the first president of the Republic of Texas.

The Republic of Texas was an independent sovereign nation in North America that existed from 1836 to 1845, following its successful rebellion against Mexico. It was established after the Texas Revolution, where Texas settlers, both Anglo-Americans and Tejanos (Mexicans living in Texas), fought for and gained independence from Mexico.

Formation: The Republic was officially declared on March 2, 1836, after the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence. This was in response to the increasingly centralized policies of Mexican President Antonio López de Santa Anna and dissatisfaction among Texan settlers.

Government: The Republic of Texas had its own constitution, modeled closely on that of the United States. Sam Houston was one of its most famous leaders and served as its first and third president.

Territory: At its height, the Republic claimed land extending well beyond modern Texas, including parts of present-day New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, and Wyoming. However, much of the territory was only nominally controlled.

Challenges: The young republic faced numerous difficulties, including ongoing conflicts with Mexico (which refused to recognize Texas’s independence), economic struggles, Native American raids, and internal political divisions.

Annexation by the U.S.: In 1845, after years of internal debate and pressure from both Texas and the United States, the Republic of Texas was annexed by the U.S. as the 28th state. This annexation helped spark the Mexican-American War in 1846.