5 Interesting Facts about September 23 in Ohio History

1. On September 23, 1811, an earthquake that is now known as the "New Madrid Earthquake" struck the Midwest United States, including parts of Ohio. The earthquake was felt as far away as New York City and caused the Mississippi River to flow backward temporarily.

2. In 1893, the Ohio State Buckeyes football team played their first-ever game on September 23, defeating Ohio Wesleyan by a score of 20-14. Since then, the Buckeyes have become one of the most successful and storied college football programs in history.

3. On September 23, 1957, the first submarine to be powered by nuclear energy, the USS Nautilus, visited Cleveland, Ohio. The ship was considered a marvel of technology at the time and helped usher in a new era of nuclear-powered transportation.

4. In 1973, the first-ever Superman Day was declared in Metropolis, Illinois, which is often considered the real-life inspiration for the fictional city of Metropolis in the Superman comic book series. While not directly related to Ohio, the state is home to many avid Superman fans and collectors.

5. On September 23, 2010, a major wind storm swept through Ohio, causing widespread power outages and damage to buildings and infrastructure. The storm, which was caused by the remnants of Hurricane Ike, was one of the worst natural disasters to hit the state in recent history.