Template:On this day/September 28

• 1870 – The Great Virginia Flood of 1870: A sprinkle of rain began to soak into the dry, cracked earth on this Wednesday afternoon after an unprecedented drought. The dust in some parts of the town of Charlottesville was four inches deep. Unfortunately, excitement at the prospect of rain became short-lived when the storm changed from a steady rain to a heavy downpour over the course of the night and into the next morning.
• 1875 – R. F. Harris, President of the City Council, unanimously elected mayor to finish out the term of William L. Cochran who died in office on September 22.
• 1892 – Howe Peyton Cochran, the first superintendent of the City of Charlottesville School System, died in office after serving less than three months. He was was succeeded by Frank A. Massie, who continued in office until July 1, 1901.