A man who has committed a mistake and doesn’t correct it, is committing another mistake. — Confucius
- 2 September – National Day – Vietnam French and Vietnamese relations can be traced as far back as the 17th century, but WWII saw the start of a power struggle instigated by Ho Chi Minh, eventually leading to independence on September 2, 1945. French influence is still very much present today in Vietnam since it was a French Jesuit priest who helped Vietnam transition from a Chinese-based writing system to a Latin-based alphabet.
- 5 September – Labor Day – USA, Canada Known as the “unofficial end of summer,” Labor Day is celebrated by both the US and Canada on the first Monday of September. An official public holiday since 1894, it honors the American Labor Movement.
- 6 September – Unification Day – Bulgaria A long and complex process started by the Treaty of Berlin in 1878, which divided the newly formed Bulgarian state from Southern Bulgaria (to be returned to the Ottoman Empire) culminated in the 1885 Serbo-Bulgarian War won by Bulgaria.
- 7 September – Independence Day – Brazil Known in Brazil as “Sete de Setembro,” the 7th of September commemorates the Declaration of Independence from the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil, and the Algarves in 1822. The capital Brasilia usually holds a military parade attended by the President… and yes, there is one!
- 11 September – Eid al-Adha – Muslims Worldwide This sacred holiday honors the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his only son to prove his obedience to God, a sacrifice that was timely withheld by the angel Gabriel. The meat of the Halal animals killed on that day is usually divided into three parts – a third to the family, a third to neighbors and friends, and a third to the poor or needy.
- 15 September – Mid-Autumn Festival – Chinese & Vietnamese Worldwide Chinese and Vietnamese people celebrate this festival on the night of the full moon which falls between early September and early October. The festival focuses on three core aspects: Gathering with friends and family, Thanksgiving for the harvest, and Praying for good fortune and material satisfaction. It is a public holiday in Mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, and second only to Tết in Vietnam.
- 16 September – Mexican Independence Day – Mexico On this day in 1810, a Catholic priest named Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla gave a stirring speech against the Spanish colonial government known as the “Grito” (or Cry) of Dolores, a small town in the center of Mexico. This grito is considered today as the beginning of the Mexican War of Independence.
- 17 September – Oktoberfest – Germany There is no greater homage to beer than Oktoberfest, a Volksfest held annually in Munich, Germany. During the 16 day long festival, over 2 million gallons of beer are consumed by more than 6 million attendees to help ingurgitate grilled fish on a stick, pretzels, bread dumplings, potato pancakes, and of course, sausages. Many Oktoberfest celebrations take place worldwide, but none compares.
- 18 & 19 September – Independence Day – Chile Although often referred to as the “Dieciocho” (the eighteen), the Fiestas Patrias (Patriotic Holidays) officially last two days, but unofficially up to one week. The first day commemorates the proclamation of the First Governing Body in 1810, while the 19th commemorates the very first military parade in Chilean history.
- 23 September – National Day – Saudi Arabia On this day in 1932, Abdulaziz, known in the western world as Ibn Saud, consolidated his dominions into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Starting with the discovery of oil in 1938, he made Saudi Arabia a major oil producer after WWII. Six of his 45 sons have succeeded him, up to the current King Salman.
- 28 September – Confucius’ Birthday – Historical Known to the modern world through the Analects written by his followers during the mid-Han dynasty (206 BC-220 AD), Confucius was a strong proponent of personal and governmental morality, correctness of social relationships, and similar values present in current business codes of conduct. Taiwan fittingly celebrates “Teacher’s Day” on this date and regards the day as a public holiday.