April 9 stands as a significant date in history, marked by a range of pivotal events across centuries. From the establishment of early colonies to groundbreaking inventions and cultural milestones, this day has witnessed moments that shaped the world. Key figures were born, and historic decisions unfolded, each leaving a lasting impact. Curious about the specifics? There’s much more to uncover about this remarkable date.
History
Major Historical Events
1585 – Expedition of Sir Walter Raleigh Departs: On this day, Sir Walter Raleigh’s expedition set sail from England to establish the Roanoke Colony in what is now North Carolina, marking one of the first English attempts to colonize North America.
Though the colony would later mysteriously disappear, this event laid early groundwork for English presence in the New World.
1865 – Surrender at Appomattox Court House: Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House in Virginia, effectively ending the American Civil War.
This pivotal moment marked the beginning of reconciliation efforts between the North and South, though the war’s formal conclusion came later.
1940 – Germany Invades Norway and Denmark: During World War II, Nazi Germany launched Operation Weserübung, invading both Norway and Denmark on this date.
Denmark surrendered within hours, while Norway resisted for two months, highlighting the rapid expansion of German forces across Europe.
1959 – NASA Selects the Mercury Seven: NASA announced the selection of the first American astronauts, known as the Mercury Seven, on April 9.
These seven military test pilots—Scott Carpenter, Gordon Cooper, John Glenn, Gus Grissom, Wally Schirra, Alan Shepard, and Deke Slayton—became national heroes as they prepared to lead the United States into the Space Race.
2003 – Fall of Baghdad: U.S. forces captured Baghdad during the Iraq War, marking a significant moment as the statue of Saddam Hussein was toppled in Firdos Square.
This event symbolized the collapse of Hussein’s regime, though it was followed by years of conflict and instability in the region.
Famous Birthdays
1821 – Charles Baudelaire: The French poet and essayist, often credited as a pioneer of modern poetry, was born on this day in Paris.
His groundbreaking work, “Les Fleurs du Mal” (The Flowers of Evil), challenged societal norms and influenced generations of writers.
1898 – Paul Robeson: An American bass-baritone singer, actor, and civil rights activist, Paul Robeson was born on April 9 in Princeton, New Jersey.
Known for his powerful renditions of spirituals and his role in “Show Boat,” he also fought tirelessly against racism and oppression.
1926 – Hugh Hefner: The founder of Playboy magazine, Hugh Hefner, was born on this day in Chicago, Illinois.
His publication reshaped cultural attitudes toward sexuality and became an iconic brand, while Hefner himself became a polarizing figure in media and entertainment.
1963 – Marc Jacobs: Renowned American fashion designer Marc Jacobs was born on April 9 in New York City.
Known for his eponymous label and his transformative work at Louis Vuitton, Jacobs has left an indelible mark on contemporary fashion.
Notable Deaths
1553 – François Rabelais: The French Renaissance writer and humanist passed away on this day in Paris.
Best known for his satirical works like “Gargantua and Pantagruel,” Rabelais contributed greatly to literature with his wit and critique of society.
1626 – Francis Bacon: The English philosopher, statesman, and scientist died on April 9 in London.
Often called the father of empiricism, Bacon’s works, such as “Novum Organum,” laid the foundation for the scientific method.
1959 – Frank Lloyd Wright: The legendary American architect, known for masterpieces like Fallingwater and the Guggenheim Museum, passed away on this day in Phoenix, Arizona.
His innovative designs continue to inspire architects worldwide.
Today in Music History
1932 – Carl Perkins Born: Rockabilly pioneer Carl Perkins, who wrote and recorded the hit song “Blue Suede Shoes,” was born on April 9 in Tiptonville, Tennessee.
His music heavily influenced early rock and roll, including artists like Elvis Presley.
1965 – Beatles’ “Ticket to Ride” Released: The Beatles released their single “Ticket to Ride” in the UK on this day, later featured in their film “Help!”
The song became a chart-topping hit and showcased their evolving sound with its distinctive guitar riff.
1997 – Soundgarden Breaks Up: On April 9, the influential grunge band Soundgarden announced their breakup after 12 years together.
Known for hits like “Black Hole Sun,” their music shaped the Seattle sound of the 1990s.
Today in Sports History
1912 – First Baseball Game at Fenway Park: Though not an official game, the Boston Red Sox played an exhibition match against Harvard University on April 9 at the newly constructed Fenway Park, marking the beginning of an iconic venue’s history.
1939 – Marian Anderson Performs at Lincoln Memorial: After being denied the chance to sing at Constitution Hall due to racial segregation, contralto Marian Anderson performed a historic concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on this day, drawing 75,000 attendees in a powerful stand against discrimination.
1976 – Phil Ochs Passes Away: Folk singer and activist Phil Ochs, known for his protest songs, tragically died on April 9.
While not a sports figure, his music often inspired athletes and fans during the civil rights and anti-war movements of the 1960s.
2005 – Charles and Camilla Wedding Broadcast: While not a sporting event, the wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles on this day was watched by millions, including many sports figures, marking a cultural moment that intersected with public life.
Today in Military and Naval History
1865 – Appomattox Surrender: As noted earlier, General Robert E. Lee’s surrender to Ulysses S. Grant on this day at Appomattox Court House ended major Confederate resistance, a turning point in U.S. military history during the Civil War.
1940 – Operation Weserübung Begins: Germany’s invasion of Norway and Denmark on April 9 showcased naval and military coordination, with German forces using surprise attacks to secure strategic positions in Scandinavia during World War II.
1942 – Bataan Death March Begins: Following the fall of Bataan in the Philippines to Japanese forces, the brutal Bataan Death March began on this day, where thousands of American and Filipino prisoners of war suffered horrific conditions, marking a dark chapter in military history.
Today in Tech and Science History
1959 – Mercury Seven Astronauts Announced: NASA’s selection of the first seven American astronauts on April 9 was a landmark in space exploration history, setting the stage for the Mercury program and the eventual moon landing.
1967 – First Boeing 737 Flight: The Boeing 737, now one of the most widely used commercial aircraft, made its maiden flight on this day.
This event marked a significant advancement in aviation technology and passenger travel.
2006 – Google Acquires Writely: On April 9, Google acquired the online word processor Writely, which later became part of Google Docs.
This move was a key step in the development of cloud-based productivity tools.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1821 – Charles Baudelaire Born: As mentioned earlier, the birth of French poet Charles Baudelaire on this day brought forth a literary giant whose works reshaped modern poetry with their bold themes and imagery.
1939 – Marian Anderson’s Lincoln Memorial Concert: This culturally significant event on April 9 saw Anderson’s performance become a symbol of resistance against racial injustice, resonating deeply in American cultural history.
1953 – TV Guide Publishes First Issue: On this day, the first issue of TV Guide was published, quickly becoming a staple in American households and shaping how viewers engaged with television culture.
1966 – Sophia Loren Marries Carlo Ponti: Italian actress Sophia Loren married producer Carlo Ponti on April 9 in a proxy ceremony, cementing their status as a power couple in film and cultural circles.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1860 – First Recording of Human Voice: On April 9, French inventor Édouard-Léon Scott de Martinville made the earliest known recording of a human voice using his phonautograph.
The recording, though not playable at the time, captured a snippet of the song “Au Clair de la Lune,” proving sound could be preserved in a delightfully odd early tech moment.
1917 – Longest Word in Literature: Though not tied to a specific event on this day, it’s amusing to note that April 9 often brings up trivia about language, including the fact that James Joyce’s “Ulysses” contains famously long words and was being celebrated in literary circles around this time for its experimental style.
2009 – Giant Rabbit Statue Revealed: On this day, a peculiar 200-foot-long pink rabbit sculpture, created by artist collective Gelitin, was completed on a hill in Italy.
Visible from Google Earth, this bizarre artwork continues to baffle and amuse onlookers.
Today in History for Kids
1865 – End of the Civil War Begins: On April 9, a big war in America called the Civil War started to end when a Southern general named Robert E. Lee gave up to a Northern general named Ulysses S. Grant.
This meant families could start coming back together after years of fighting.
1959 – First Astronauts Chosen: Imagine being picked to fly into space!
On this day, seven brave pilots were chosen by NASA to be America’s first astronauts.
They trained hard to explore space and make history.
1967 – A New Plane Takes Off: A plane called the Boeing 737 flew for the first time on April 9.
Today, lots of people fly on these planes when they go on vacation or visit family—it’s like a big flying bus!
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
1585 – Roanoke Colony Expedition: Did you know that one of the first English colonies in America started its journey on April 9?
Sir Walter Raleigh sent explorers to create a settlement, but later, everyone disappeared, and it’s still a mystery today!
1860 – Oldest Sound Recording: The first time someone recorded a human voice happened on this day over 160 years ago.
A French inventor captured someone singing, even though they couldn’t play it back then.
1940 – A Quick Invasion: When Germany invaded Denmark on April 9 during World War II, Denmark surrendered in just six hours, one of the fastest surrenders in history.
2003 – Baghdad Statue Falls: On this day, people around the world watched on TV as a huge statue of Iraq’s leader Saddam Hussein was pulled down by U.S. troops and Iraqi citizens, showing a big change was happening.