September 28: A Legacy of Revolution and Discovery
September 28 marks a day of profound global shifts, ranging from the birth of revolutionary political movements to groundbreaking scientific discoveries that changed the course of human history. As the 272nd day of the year, it is recognized internationally as World Rabies Day and the International Day for Universal Access to Information.
Historical Milestones: From Marx to the Moon
In 1864, the foundations of modern politics were laid in London when Karl Marx organized the First International, an event that paved the way for the creation of social-democratic and socialist parties worldwide. Centuries later, in 2015, science reached new heights when NASA announced the monumental discovery of liquid water on Mars, fundamentally altering our understanding of the Red Planet.
In the realm of civil rights, 1871 saw a landmark moment for justice in South America as Brazil promulgated the “Law of the Free Womb,” decreeing that children born to enslaved mothers would henceforth be free. In 1995, a major step toward peace was taken at the White House, where PLO leader Yasser Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin signed an agreement to end the occupation of the West Bank.
Scientific and Cultural Legacies
The world lost two giants of science and literature on this day: Louis Pasteur, the father of medical microbiology, passed away in 1895, and Herman Melville, the visionary author of Moby-Dick, died in 1891. Decades later, the music world mourned the loss of jazz legend Miles Davis in 1991 and, more recently in 2024, the versatile country music icon Kris Kristofferson.
Portuguese History and Sport
For Portugal, September 28 is a date of local significance. In 1893, one of the nation’s most storied sports institutions, Futebol Clube do Porto (FC Porto), was founded. In 1878, the town of Cascais celebrated a modern marvel with the inauguration of its first public lighting system. More recently, in 2014, Portugal celebrated a historic sporting achievement by becoming European table tennis champions for the first time.
Political Shifts and Short Reigns
The Vatican experienced a brief but memorable moment in 1978 with the death of Pope John Paul I, whose papacy lasted only 33 days. In the Middle East, a 2000 visit by Ariel Sharon to the Temple Mount triggered the Second Intifada, a conflict that would reshape the region for years to come.
Thought of the day: “Inherited truths pay such high taxes that it is best to abandon them.” — Pedro Tamen (1934–2021), Portuguese poet.
Image: Pexels – Cristian Salinas Cisternas
