Historical eventSeptember 171914

Andrew Fisher

Andrew Fisher, who in his previous term as premier oversaw a period of reform unmatched in the Commonwealth until the 1940s, became Prime Minister of Australia for the third time.

Everything on September 17Original source

In context

When
Thursday, September 17 1914112 years ago
Category
Historical eventA dated happening — a battle, treaty, launch, discovery, disaster or decision — recorded on this calendar day.
Era
20th century · 1910s
Recorded from
Wikipedia “On this day” feed

Russia, Greece and some other countries used the Julian calendar into the early 20th century, so local records may show a date up to 13 days earlier.

At a glance

Dates: From 1914.

What came beforeAI-assisted

Andrew Fisher first served as Prime Minister from 1908–1909, then again from 1910–1913, implementing significant labor reforms and establishing the Australian navy. He had lost the 1913 election to Billy Hughes's Liberal Party but remained Labor leader in opposition.

Catalyst / how it startedAI-assisted

World War I created political instability as Hughes's government faced divisions over conscription and war policy. Fisher, who supported the war effort, was recalled to lead a new Labor government after Hughes's coalition collapsed.

Who was involvedAI-assisted

Andrew Fisher led the Labor Party back to power with support from members of parliament seeking stronger wartime leadership. Billy Hughes's departing government had fractured over conscription and military strategy.

TimelineAI-assisted

Fisher's third term began on September 17, 1914, just weeks after Australia entered World War I. His government would serve until October 1915, when he resigned due to ill health.

What happened

Andrew Fisher, who in his previous term as premier oversaw a period of reform unmatched in the Commonwealth until the 1940s, became Prime Minister of Australia for the third time.

September 17 through the years

Other entries on the same calendar day, in order.

  1. 1914Andrew Fisher
  2. 2006Őszöd speech
  3. 2006Fourpeaked Mountain
  4. 2008Al-Qaeda in Yemen
  5. 2011Adbusters
  6. 2011Occupy Wall Street
  7. 2013Grand Theft Auto V
  8. 20162016 New York and New Jersey bombings
  9. 2018Israeli Air Force
  10. 2018Syria missile strikes (September 2018)
  11. 2025Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement

Also in 1914

  • September 11World War IFirst World War: The Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force invaded German New Guinea, winning the Battle of Bita Paka.
  • September 13World War IWorld War I: The French army repulsed a German assault against their positions on high ground near the city of Nancy.
  • September 14HMAS AE1HMAS AE1 (pictured), the Royal Australian Navy's first submarine, was lost at sea; its wreck was not found until 2017.
  • August 17World War IWorld War I: Ignoring orders to retreat, Hermann von François led a successful counterattack defending East Prussia at the Battle of Stal…
  • November 16World War IWorld War I: Austro-Hungarian forces launched an assault against Serbian defensive positions at the Kolubara river, beginning the Battle…
  • October 27World War IWorld War I: The Royal Navy dreadnought HMS Audacious was sunk by a mine, but its loss was kept secret for four years.
  • October 7PohnpeiJapan captured Pohnpei from Germany, eventually leading to large-scale Japanese immigration to Micronesia.
  • October 7Rudolf SteinerIn a death that Rudolf Steiner terms a voluntary sacrifice and that inspires Edith Maryon's relief In Memory of Theo Faiss (pictured), se…

Everything we record for 1914 →

Sources

Cite this page

“Andrew Fisher”, What's On This Date, https://whatsonthisdate.com/app/event/andrew-fisher-1914-september-17, accessed October 26, 2026.

Cite the underlying source as well — the source links above go to the record this entry is adapted from.

Questions about this entry

When did Andrew Fisher happen?

September 17 1914 — 112 years ago, on a Thursday.

Where does this text come from?

Wikipedia “On this day” feed. Summaries are short adaptations that link back to the source, not reprints. Panels marked AI-assisted were filled where the sources left a heading empty.

How do I cite this page?

Use the ready-made citation near the sources at the bottom of the page, and follow the source link to cite the underlying record as well.

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