"The song was written inspired of the teen suicides in the month of September 2010, who were bullied for being homosexual. It deals about how people are treated from homophobic bullying and feeling so tormented that they feel there's no place for them in the future and that killing themselves is a better option." Tim McIlrath

After the song was nominated for the MTV VMAs "Best Video With a Message" Award, McIlrath revealed that "Make It Stop (September's Children)" was also based on a gay friend of his who committed suicide when he was young.

The video was shot at Tim McIlrath's school, at Rolling Meadows High School in Rolling Meadows, Illinois.

(The frontman was also taunted for his heterochromia.)

The song was inspired by McIlrath's time in New Orleans while on a tour break and the massive amounts of destruction he witnessed in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast after both Hurricane Katrina and the BP oil disaster. McIlrath has also stated in recent interviews that the song - while having the lyrics pertaining to Hurricane Katrina and the BP oil disaster - can be in reference to any world issue. Before performing the song at a show in The Electric Ballroom, McIlrath dedicated the song to those suffering from the Tsunami and Earthquake in Japan.

 It is notably their first single to make the Billboard Hot 100 and their highest charting single on both the Alternative Rock chart and Mainstream Rock chart.

The song was also the official theme song for the 2011 WWE pay-per-view, Over the Limit. The song was also included on the soundtrack of Shift 2: Unleashed.

The Band considers Ready to Fall as their most important video.

Shots of animals being saved or dying, if not already dead, from various environmental hazards caused by humans.

At the end of the video, lead singer Tim McIlrath says, "Every action has a reaction. We've got one planet, one chance."

As well as the version played on television, there was another, more graphic version created. This was never released officially but is available on certain websites.

The video serves a testimony to veganism.

On March 12, 2009, the song became a downloadable song in the video game, Guitar Hero World Tour. 

The song featured in 2009 action movie 12 Rounds.

The song is most often performed last at Rise Against's live performances.