#9thmay#onthisday #history May 9th: A Day of Diverse Observances Across the Globe
May 9th is a rich tapestry of historical moments, cultural celebrations, and worldwide social movements. Here's a look at some noteworthy occurrences on this date:
Echoes from the Past:
-1502: Christopher Columbus Sets Sail on Final Voyage: Italian explorer Christopher Columbus embarks on his fourth and final voyage to the New World, hoping to find a passage to Asia.
-1804: Friedrich Schiller Passes Away:- German poet, playwright, philosopher, and historian Friedrich Schiller dies, leaving behind a legacy of influential literary works.
-1865: Robert E. Lee Surrenders Confederate Army:- General Robert E. Lee surrenders the Confederate Army to General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, effectively ending the American Civil War.
-1915: Lusitania Sunk by U-boat:- The German U-boat U-20 sinks the RMS Lusitania, a British passenger liner, in the North Atlantic Ocean, killing nearly 1200 people and sparking outrage against Germany in the United States.
-1919: Berlin University Changes Name:- The Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität zu Berlin changes its name to Humboldt University of Berlin, in honor of the famed Prussian explorers Alexander von Humboldt and Wilhelm von Humboldt.
-1945: Victory Day:
Russia: Celebrated in Russia and some former Soviet republics as Victory Day, commemorating the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
Channel Islands Liberated: Allied troops liberated the Channel Islands, which had been occupied by German forces during World War II.
-1950: Robert Schuman Presents Schuman Plan:- French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman proposes the creation of a European Coal and Steel Community, seen as a significant step towards European integration.
-1960: Food and Drug Administration Approves Birth Control Pill:- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves Enovid-10, the first commercially produced birth control pill, marking a significant development in women's healthcare.
-1978: Aldo Moro Assassinated:- The Red Brigades, a left-wing terrorist group, assassinated Former Italian Prime Minister Aldo Moro.
-1987: West Germany Wins Ice Hockey World Championship:- West Germany defeats the Soviet Union to win the Ice Hockey World Championship in a major upset.
-Celebrations Around the World:-
-Victory Day (Russia and former Soviet Republics): A significant holiday with parades, fireworks, and memorials to honor veterans and remember the sacrifices made during World War II.
-Europe Day: Celebrated by the European Union to commemorate the Schuman Declaration and the beginning of European integration.
Other Notable Events:-
-1789: Estates-General Opens in France:- The Estates-General, a representative body of the French social classes, convenes in Versailles, leading to the French Revolution.
1934: Wall Street Dow Jones Industrial Average Reaches Pre-Crash Levels: The Dow Jones Industrial Average reaches pre-1929 stock market crash levels for the first time since the Great Depression.
-1994: Nelson Mandela Becomes First Black President of South Africa:- Nelson Mandela is inaugurated as the first black president of South Africa, marking a historic end to apartheid.
May 9th offers a glimpse into the world's complex history. It's a day that showcases moments of war and peace, political shifts, scientific advancements, and
