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On this day in history - September 4

What Happened On This Day – September 4

  • 2002 Kelly Clarkson Becomes the First American Idol

    The singer, songwriter, and Grammy Awards winner made her first appearance in the second episode of the reality TV show, which co-hosted by Ryan Seacrest and Brian Dunkleman and was judged by Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, and Randy Jackson. The popular show was broadcast on Fox television network and has been on television for 14 seasons.

  • 1998 Google is founded

    The internet company, now synonymous with the act of finding information on the world wide web was created by Larry Page and Sergey Brin. It started as a research project when Page and Brin were doctoral students at Stanford University.

  • 1998 Who wants to be a Millionaire? Makes its Debut on British Television

    The popular quiz game show that gave out cash prizes to contests for answering increasingly difficult questions was developed by David Briggs, Mike Whitehill, and Steven Knight, and was aired for the first time on ITC. Chris Tarrant hosted the British version of the show until 2014. The popularity of the show in the UK prompted TV channels from other countries to adapt it for their audiences.

  • 1888 Printing and imaging company Kodak, also known as Eastman Kodak Company, was founded by inventor George Eastman

    On the same day, Eastman received the patent for the roll-film camera. The cameras which were preloaded with rolls that were good for up to 100 photographs changed the world of photography by making it easier for amateurs to take it up as a hobby.

  • 1870 Napoleon III ousted as Emperor of France

    The first elected president of France, Napoleon took over the title of Emperor in 1852. The ouster came in response to Napoleon's capitulation during the Franco-Prussian War. After being removed from power, he was exiled to England, where he died on January 9, 1873.

Illustration of stork, signifying birth

Births On This Day,
September 4

  • 1981 Beyoncé Knowles

    African/American singer-songwriter, producer, dancer, actress

  • 1977 Kia Stevens

    American wrestler

  • 1963 John Vanbiesbrouck

    American ice hockey player

  • 1949 Tom Watson

    American golfer

  • 1824 Anton Bruckner

    Austrian composer

Illustration of tombstone, signifying death

Deaths On This Day,
September 4

  • 2014 Joan Rivers

    American comedian, actress, author

  • 2006 Steve Irwin

    Australian zoologist, television host

  • 1986 Hank Greenberg

    American baseball player

  • 1965 Albert Schweitzer

    Alsatian physician, Nobel Prize laureate

  • 1588 Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester