The City Ground welcomed top-flight football for the first time this century, and the Forest players looked determined to take advantage of an electric atmosphere.
They harried West Ham effectively, but the visitors’ top-flight pedigree often showed in the first half, as Henderson thwarted Said Benrahma’s effort, before Harry Toffolo was forced to scoop the ball off the line, denying a lurking Tomas Soucek, who had the goal at his mercy.
A drinks break failed to visibly rally Forest, and the visitors had the ball in the net shortly before the break, when Benrahma started and finished a fluid counter attack, only to see his effort chalked off moments later, owing to a Michail Antonio foul on Orel Mangala.
Forest fought back, taking the lead through their own number nine in first-half stoppage time.
Toffolo’s superb run into the box afforded him the time to pick out Jesse Lingard, and though his tame shot should have been easily cleared by Ben Johnson, the defender made a mess of it, leaving the ball on a plate for Awoniyi to tap home off his knee and end Forest’s 23-year wait for a Premier League goal.
He didn't seem to know much about it, but that didn't stop the Forest fans raising the roof in celebration.
David Moyes’ men came inches away from an immediate response after the restart, when Pablo Fornals’ effort hit the bar before bouncing out to Soucek, who forced a tremendous reaction save from Henderson.
The Hammers struck the woodwork again on the hour mark, as Benrahma’s free-kick cannoned off the upright, leaving Henderson motionless.
Henderson was in the action again moments later, facing up to a penalty after Scott McKenna made a last-ditch block with his arm - the decision given by VAR.
Declan Rice stepped up, but Henderson was equal to it, comfortably holding the spot-kick low to his right.
Sensing that as their cue to hold onto what they had, Forest repelled West Ham’s weakening attacks through the closing stages, emulating the 1-0 victory with which they began Premier league life 30 years ago.
There was enough on display to suggest that Forest will avoid the last-placed demotion they suffered three decades ago in Brian Clough’s swansong season, while West Ham are now without a point or a goal from their opening two games, as they look to seal a third successive season of European football.
Get all the stats and facts from a dramatic encounter with Flashscore.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Neco Williams (Nottingham Forest)
