September 14, 1741 – Composer George Frederick Handel finishes the “Messiah” after working on it nonstop for 23 days.
September 15, 1916 – Tanks are first used in combat during the Allied offensive at the Battle of the Somme in World War I.
September 18, 1947 – The U. S. Air Force is established as a separate military service.
September 20, 1973 – The much-hyped “Battle of the Sexes” took place in the Houston Astrodome as tennis great Billie Jean King defeated women’s tennis critic and former men’s champion Bobby Riggs in three straight sets.