September is more than just the ninth month of the year—it’s a month filled with history, natural beauty, and fascinating quirks.
The name September comes from the Latin word septem, meaning “seven.” That’s because in the oldest Roman calendar, created around 750 BC under Romulus, March marked the beginning of the year, making September the seventh month. Even after the calendar was reformed to add January and February to the start of the year, September kept its original name—even though it’s now month number nine.
Interestingly, September always begins on the same day of the week as December, since the two months are exactly 13 weeks apart. Another fun calendar fact? No other month ends on the same weekday as September—except May, which shares this quirky distinction.
A Month of Balance: The Equinox
September is one of only two months that feature an equinox (the other being March). This celestial event marks the point when day and night are nearly equal in length, falling halfway between the June and December solstices. This year, the equinox occurs on September 22. For the Northern Hemisphere, that means the official arrival of autumn; for the Southern Hemisphere, spring begins.
The Corn Moon and a Rare Lunar Eclipse
September’s full moon is traditionally called the Corn Moon, a name given by Indigenous American tribes because it rose early and bright during harvest season, giving farmers extra light to gather crops well into the night. This year, the Corn Moon falls on Sunday, September 7—and it’s bringing with it an even rarer spectacle: a total lunar eclipse.
Viewers across Australia, Asia, Africa, and parts of Europe will see the moon turn a haunting shade of red as Earth’s shadow passes over it. Nicknamed the “Blood Moon,” this eclipse will last for an impressive 82 minutes, making it the longest total lunar eclipse since 2022.
Migration Season
September is peak migration season in the Northern Hemisphere. Millions of birds take flight, heading south in search of warmer climates. Monarch butterflies also begin their incredible journey this month, traveling up to 2,100 miles from the U.S. and Canada to central Mexico. By November, these delicate travelers arrive at their forest roosts, where they spend the winter before making their return trip north in spring.
Quirky September Facts
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September has the longest name of all the months, with nine letters—matching its position as the ninth month of the year.
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It’s the most popular month for birthdays in the United States. In fact, 9 of the 10 most common birthdays fall in September! The single most common birthday is September 9, with over 12,000 babies born on that day each year.
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Despite its popularity, September is the least common birth month for U.S. presidents. Only William Howard Taft (born September 15, 1857) has a birthday this month. Interestingly, two presidents—James A. Garfield and William McKinley—both died in September after being shot by assassins.