On May 9, history unfolds with a blend of significant events and notable births. From the birth of J.M. Barrie, the mind behind Peter Pan, in 1860, to the pivotal VE Day celebrations of 1945 marking Nazi Germany’s surrender, this date holds diverse stories. What other moments shaped this day across centuries? There’s more to uncover about May 9’s impact on the world.
History
Major Historical Events
1860 – J.M. Barrie is Born: On this day, the Scottish novelist and playwright J.M. Barrie, best known for creating the beloved character Peter Pan, was born in Kirriemuir, Scotland.
His imaginative works have left a lasting impact on children’s literature and theater.
1914 – Mother’s Day is Proclaimed in the United States: President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation officially establishing the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day, following years of advocacy by Anna Jarvis to honor mothers.
This marked the first national observance of the holiday in the U.S.
1945 – Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) Celebrations Begin: Although VE Day is officially recognized on May 8, many celebrations spilled over into May 9 as news of Nazi Germany’s surrender to Allied forces spread across Europe, marking the end of World War II on the continent.
1960 – FDA Approves the First Birth Control Pill: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Enovid, the first oral contraceptive pill, revolutionizing women’s reproductive rights and sparking significant social and cultural changes worldwide.
1974 – U.S. House Judiciary Committee Opens Impeachment Hearings for Nixon: The committee began formal hearings against President Richard Nixon related to the Watergate scandal, a pivotal moment in American political history that ultimately led to his resignation later that year.
Famous Birthdays
1800 – John Brown: The American abolitionist who led the raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859 was born on this day in Torrington, Connecticut.
His actions intensified the conflict over slavery in the lead-up to the Civil War.
1860 – J.M. Barrie: As mentioned earlier, the creator of Peter Pan was born in Scotland, leaving an indelible mark on storytelling with his whimsical tales of Neverland.
1936 – Glenda Jackson: The acclaimed British actress and politician, known for her powerful performances in films like *Women in Love* and *A Touch of Class*, was born in Birkenhead, England.
She later won two Academy Awards for her work.
1962 – Dave Gahan: The lead singer of the iconic band Depeche Mode was born in Epping, Essex, England.
His distinctive voice helped shape the sound of electronic and alternative music in the 1980s and beyond.
Notable Deaths
1707 – Dieterich Buxtehude: The influential German-Danish composer and organist, whose works inspired Johann Sebastian Bach, passed away on this day in Lübeck, Germany.
His contributions to Baroque music remain significant.
1968 – Mercedes de Acosta: The American poet, playwright, and novelist, known for her connections to Hollywood stars and her rumored romantic relationships with figures like Greta Garbo, died on this day in New York City.
1986 – Tenzing Norgay: The Nepali-Indian Sherpa mountaineer, who alongside Sir Edmund Hillary became one of the first two people to reach the summit of Mount Everest in 1953, passed away in Darjeeling, India.
2010 – Lena Horne: The American singer, actress, and civil rights activist, celebrated for her performances in films like *Stormy Weather* and her powerful voice, died on this day in New York City at the age of 92.
2020 – Little Richard: The pioneering rock and roll musician, known for hits like “Tutti Frutti” and “Long Tall Sally,” passed away on this day in Tullahoma, Tennessee, leaving behind a legacy as one of the genre’s founding figures.
Today in Music History
1965 – The Beatles Attend Bob Dylan Concert: On this day, members of The Beatles attended a Bob Dylan concert in London, an event that marked a significant moment of mutual influence between the two musical giants during the 1960s.
1970 – Guess Who Hits No. 1 with “American Woman”: The Canadian rock band Guess Who topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart with their hit single “American Woman,” which became one of the defining songs of the era.
1987 – Eurovision Song Contest Won by Johnny Logan: Irish singer Johnny Logan won the Eurovision Song Contest for Ireland with his song “Hold Me Now,” marking his second victory in the competition and cementing his legacy in the event’s history.
Today in Sports History
1901 – First Australian Parliament Opens: While not a traditional sporting event, the opening of Australia’s first parliament in Melbourne included celebratory events with athletic competitions, symbolizing national pride through sport.
1961 – Jim Gentile Hits Two Grand Slams in One Game: Baltimore Orioles first baseman Jim Gentile became the first player in Major League Baseball history to hit two grand slams in a single game, achieving the feat against the Minnesota Twins.
2012 – Lionel Messi Breaks European Goal Record: Argentine soccer superstar Lionel Messi broke the record for most goals scored in a single European club season, netting his 68th and 69th goals during a match for Barcelona against Espanyol.
2018 – Sir Alex Ferguson Undergoes Emergency Surgery: Legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson underwent emergency brain surgery on this day following a health scare, prompting an outpouring of support from the global football community.
Today in Military and Naval History
1941 – British Navy Captures German Enigma Machine: During World War II, the British Royal Navy captured a German U-boat, U-110, on this day, recovering an Enigma machine and codebooks that proved vital in breaking Nazi communication codes.
1945 – Soviet Union Celebrates Victory Day: While VE Day was marked on May 8 in Western Europe, the Soviet Union officially celebrated Victory Day on May 9 due to time zone differences, commemorating the defeat of Nazi Germany with massive parades in Moscow.
1955 – West Germany Joins NATO: On this day, West Germany was admitted into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), a significant step in post-World War II European security and Cold War alignments.
Today in Tech and Science History
1960 – Birth Control Pill Approved by FDA: As noted earlier, the approval of Enovid as the first oral contraceptive by the U.S. FDA on this day marked a groundbreaking moment in medical and social history.
1992 – Westray Mine Disaster in Canada: A devastating explosion at the Westray Coal Mine in Nova Scotia killed 26 miners on this day, highlighting the need for improved safety regulations in industrial workplaces.
2013 – First 3D-Printed Gun Fired: The world’s first 3D-printed firearm, known as the Liberator, was successfully test-fired on this day, sparking debates over gun control and the implications of accessible manufacturing technology.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1662 – First Recorded Performance of Punch and Judy: The traditional puppet show featuring Punch and Judy was first documented on this day in London’s Covent Garden, as noted in Samuel Pepys’ diary, marking an early milestone in popular British entertainment.
1926 – Richard Byrd and Floyd Bennett Claim First Flight Over North Pole: American explorers Richard Byrd and Floyd Bennett reported completing the first flight over the North Pole on this day, though later evidence cast doubt on their claim.
The event nonetheless captured global cultural imagination.
1950 – L. Ron Hubbard Publishes *Dianetics*: On this day, L. Ron Hubbard released *Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health*, which became the foundational text for Scientology, influencing modern self-help and religious movements.
2001 – Ghana Soccer Stadium Disaster: A tragic stampede at a soccer match in Accra, Ghana, killed 126 people on this day, becoming one of the deadliest stadium disasters in history and prompting cultural discussions on crowd safety.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1927 – Australian Parliament Moves to Canberra with a Dog Race: When Australia’s parliament officially opened in Canberra on this day, part of the celebration reportedly included a humorous dog race, adding a quirky touch to the formal proceedings.
1979 – Lawn Chair Larry’s Flight Plan Revealed: While the actual flight occurred later, on this day in 1979, Larry Walters reportedly finalized plans for his infamous lawn chair balloon flight, an oddball stunt that would later capture public fascination.
1980 – Ship Sinks Due to Mouse: A ferry in Bangladesh sank on this day, with reports suggesting a mouse triggered panic among passengers, leading to the capsizing—an unusual and tragic tale of cause and effect.
Today in History for Kids
1860 – Peter Pan’s Creator is Born: Kids, did you know that the man who wrote the magical story of Peter Pan, J.M. Barrie, was born on this day?
His stories about a boy who never grows up have been loved by children for over a hundred years!
1914 – Mother’s Day Becomes Official: On this day, a special holiday to celebrate moms was made official in the United States.
It’s a day to say thank you to mothers everywhere for all they do.
1945 – World War II Ends in Europe: A huge war called World War II finally ended in Europe on or around this day, and people celebrated with parades and parties because peace had come at last.
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
Did You Know? First Puppet Show Record: The very first record of a Punch and Judy puppet show, a funny performance with silly characters, was written down on this day in 1662 in London.
Did You Know? Victory Day Timing: While most of the world celebrated the end of World War II in Europe on May 8, the Soviet Union waited until May 9 because of time differences, making it a unique holiday in places like Russia.
Did You Know? Birth Control Breakthrough: The first pill to help women plan when to have babies was approved on this day in 1960, changing lives and giving people more choices.
Did You Know? Soccer Superstar Record: Lionel Messi, one of the best soccer players ever, broke a huge goal-scoring record on this day in 2012, proving just how amazing he is on the field.
Did You Know? 3D-Printed Surprise: On this day in 2013, someone fired a gun made with a 3D printer for the first time, showing how new technology can create things we never thought possible.