Moments in time

The History Channel

• On Sept. 16, 1620, the Mayflower sails from Plymouth, England, bound for the New World with 102 passengers. The ship was headed for Virginia, but stormy weather and navigational errors forced the Mayflower off course. On Nov. 21, the “Pilgrims” arrived in Massachusetts.

• On Sept. 15, 1916, during the Battle of the Somme, the British launch a major offensive against the Germans, employing tanks for the first time. Although slow, the tanks showed promise and hundreds more were ordered.

• On Sept. 17, 1923, a fire threatens the University of California at Berkeley, kills tw...