On This Day in History — July 9

Highlights of July 9

• 2008 — Under the belief that Israel and the United States were planning to attack its nuclear program, Iran conducted the Great Prophet III missile test and war games. Read more
• 2006 — Italy won their fourth FIFA World Cup title, defeating France 5–3 on penalties following a 1–1 draw after extra time (players pictured). Read more
• 1995 — Sri Lankan civil war: After advising civilians to take shelter in places of worship, the Sri Lanka Air Force bombed a church in Navaly, killing at least 147 people. Read more
• 1982 — A British man named Michael Fagan broke into Buckingham Palace and entered Queen Elizabeth II's bedroom when she was asleep. Read more
• 1981 — Nintendo released the arcade game Donkey Kong, which featured the debut of Mario, one of the most famous characters in video-game history. Read more
• 1962 — The United States conducted the Starfish Prime high-altitude nuclear test, the largest nuclear explosion in outer space. Read more
• 1962 — In a seminal moment for pop art, Andy Warhol's Campbell's Soup Cans exhibition opened at the Ferus Gallery in Los Angeles. Read more
• 1958 — An earthquake struck Lituya Bay, Alaska; the subsequent megatsunami, the largest in modern times, reached an elevation of 1,720 ft (524 m). Read more
• 1955 — Albert Einstein, Bertrand Russell (pictured) and nine other preeminent intellectuals and scientists issued the Russell–Einstein Manifesto, calling for a conference to assess the dangers posed by weapons of mass destruction. Read more
• 1943 — World War II: The Battle of Saipan concluded after a mass Japanese suicide attack was repelled by American forces. Read more
• 1937 — Nitrate film being stored in a 20th Century Fox facility spontaneously combusted, destroying more than 40,000 reels of negatives and film prints. Read more
• 1896 — Politician William Jennings Bryan made his Cross of Gold speech advocating bimetallism, considered one of the greatest political speeches in American history. Read more
• 1877 — The inaugural Wimbledon Championship, the world's oldest tennis tournament, began in London. Read more
• 1868 — The Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, including the Citizenship Clause and the Equal Protection Clause, was ratified by the minimum required twenty-eight states. Read more
• 1850 — Following Zachary Taylor's death, Millard Fillmore (pictured) became president of the United States, the last member of the Whig Party to hold that office. Read more
• 1811 — British explorer David Thompson posted a notice at the confluence of the Columbia and Snake Rivers (in modern Washington state, U.S.), claiming the area for Great Britain. Read more
• 1790 — Russo-Swedish War: During the Battle of Svensksund in the Baltic Sea, the Swedish Navy captured a third of the Russian fleet. Read more
• 1763 — The Mozart family grand tour began, presenting the child prodigies Maria Anna and Wolfgang Amadeus across Western Europe. Read more
• 1745 — War of the Austrian Succession: French victory at the Battle of Melle enabled their subsequent capture of Ghent from the Austrian Netherlands. Read more
• 1640 — The Virginia Governor's Council made John Punch the first legally recognized slave in England's North American colonies. Read more
• 551 — An estimated 30,000 people died when a massive earthquake struck the Roman province of Phoenice. Read more

Events

• 2025 — Earth completes its shortest recorded day due to a slight acceleration in rotation, with July 9 lasting approximately 1.3 to 1.6 milliseconds less than 24 hours. Read more
• 2011 — South Sudan gains independence and secedes from Sudan. Read more
• 2011 — A rally takes place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to call for fairer elections in the country. Read more
• 2006 — One hundred and twenty-five people are killed when S7 Airlines Flight 778, an Airbus A310 passenger jet, veers off the runway while landing in wet conditions at Irkutsk Airport in Siberia. Read more
• 2006 — Italy win their fourth World Cup title, defeating France 5–3 on penalties following a 1–1 draw after extra time. Read more
• 2004 — The Senate Report on Iraqi WMD Intelligence is released by the United States Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, casting doubt on the rationale for the Iraq War. Read more
• 2002 — The African Union is established in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, replacing the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). The organization's first chairman is Thabo Mbeki, President of South Africa. Read more
• 1999 — Days of student protests begin after Iranian police and hardliners attack a student dormitory at the University of Tehran. Read more
• 1997 — An explosion aboard a Brazilian airline TAM Fokker 100 launches engineer Fernando Caldeira de Moura Campos into a 2,400 meters free fall. Read more
• 1995 — The Navaly church bombing is carried out by the Sri Lanka Air Force killing 125 Tamil civilian refugees. Read more
• 1993 — The Parliament of Canada passes the Nunavut Act leading to the 1999 creation of Nunavut, dividing the Northwest Territories into arctic (Inuit) and sub-arctic (Dene) lands based on a plebiscite. Read more
• 1986 — The New Zealand Parliament passes the Homosexual Law Reform Act legalising homosexuality in New Zealand. Read more
• 1982 — Pan Am Flight 759 crashes in Kenner, Louisiana, killing all 145 people on board and eight others on the ground. Read more
• 1979 — A car bomb destroys a Renault motor car owned by "Nazi hunters" Serge and Beate Klarsfeld outside their home in France in an unsuccessful assassination attempt. Read more
• 1977 — The Pinochet dictatorship in Chile organises the youth event of Acto de Chacarillas, a ritualised act reminiscent of Francoist Spain. Read more
• 1962 — Starfish Prime tests the effects of a nuclear explosion at orbital altitudes. Read more
• 1961 — Greece becomes the first member state to join the European Economic Community by signing the Athens Agreement, which is later suspended in 1967 during the Greek junta. Read more
• 1958 — A 7.8 Mw strike-slip earthquake in Alaska causes a landslide that produces a megatsunami. The runup from the waves reached 525 m (1,722 ft) on the rim of Lituya Bay; five people were killed. Read more
• 1956 — The 7.7 Mw Amorgos earthquake shakes the Cyclades island group in the Aegean Sea with a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent). The shaking and the destructive tsunami that followed left fifty-three people dead. A damaging M7.2 aftershock occurred minutes after the mainshock. Read more
• 1955 — The Russell–Einstein Manifesto calls for a reduction of the risk of nuclear warfare. Read more
• 1944 — World War II: American forces take Saipan, bringing the Japanese archipelago within range of B-29 raids, and causing the downfall of the Tojo government. Read more
• 1944 — World War II: Continuation War: Finland wins the Battle of Tali–Ihantala, the largest battle ever fought in northern Europe. The Red Army withdraws its troops from Ihantala and digs into a defensive position, thus ending the Vyborg–Petrozavodsk Offensive. Read more
• 1943 — World War II: The Allied invasion of Sicily begins, leading to the downfall of Mussolini and forcing Hitler to break off the Battle of Kursk. Read more
• 1937 — The silent film archives of Fox Film Corporation are destroyed by the 1937 Fox vault fire. Read more
• 1932 — The state of São Paulo revolts against the Brazilian Federal Government, starting the Constitutionalist Revolution. Read more
• 1926 — Chiang Kai-shek accepts the post of commander-in-chief of the National Revolutionary Army, marking the beginning of the Northern Expedition to unite China under the rule of the Nationalist government. Read more
• 1922 — Johnny Weissmuller swims the 100 meters freestyle in 58.6 seconds, breaking the world swimming record and the 'minute barrier'. Read more
• 1918 — In Nashville, Tennessee, an inbound local train collides with an outbound express, killing 101 and injuring 171 people, making it the deadliest rail accident in United States history. Read more
• 1900 — The Federation of Australia is given royal assent. Read more
• 1900 — The Governor of Shanxi province in North China orders the execution of 45 foreign Christian missionaries and local church members, including children. Read more
• 1896 — William Jennings Bryan delivers his Cross of Gold speech advocating bimetallism at the 1896 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Read more
• 1893 — Daniel Hale Williams, American heart surgeon, performs the first successful open-heart surgery in United States without anesthesia. Read more
• 1877 — The inaugural Wimbledon Championships begins. Read more
• 1875 — The Herzegovina Uprising against Ottoman rule begins, which would last until 1878 and have far-reaching implications throughout the Balkans. Read more
• 1868 — The 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified, guaranteeing African Americans full citizenship and all persons in the United States due process of law. Read more
• 1863 — American Civil War: The Siege of Port Hudson ends in a Union victory and, along with the fall of Vicksburg five days earlier, gives the Union complete control of the Mississippi River. Read more
• 1850 — U.S. President Zachary Taylor dies after eating raw fruit and iced milk; he is succeeded in office by Vice President Millard Fillmore. Read more
• 1850 — Persian prophet Báb is executed in Tabriz, Persia. Read more
• 1821 — Four hundred and seventy prominent Cypriots including Archbishop Kyprianos are executed in response to Cypriot aid to the Greek War of Independence. Read more
• 1816 — Argentina declares independence from Spain. Read more
• 1815 — Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord becomes the first Prime Minister of France. Read more
• 1811 — Explorer David Thompson posts a sign near what is now Sacajawea State Park in Washington state, claiming the Columbia District for the United Kingdom. Read more
• 1810 — Napoleon annexes the Kingdom of Holland as part of the First French Empire. Read more
• 1807 — The second Treaty of Tilsit is signed between France and Prussia, ending the War of the Fourth Coalition. Read more
• 1795 — Financier James Swan pays off the $2,024,899 US national debt that had been accrued during the American Revolution. Read more
• 1793 — The Act Against Slavery in Upper Canada bans the importation of slaves and will free those who are born into slavery after the passage of the Act at 25 years of age. Read more
• 1790 — The Swedish Navy captures one third of the Russian Baltic fleet. Read more
• 1789 — In Versailles, the National Assembly reconstitutes itself as the National Constituent Assembly and begins preparations for a French constitution. Read more
• 1776 — George Washington orders the Declaration of Independence to be read out to members of the Continental Army in Manhattan, while thousands of British troops on Staten Island prepare for the Battle of Long Island. Read more
• 1763 — The Mozart family grand tour of Europe begins, lifting the profile of son Wolfgang Amadeus. Read more
• 1762 — Catherine the Great becomes Empress of Russia following the coup against her husband, Peter III. Read more
• 1755 — The Braddock Expedition is soundly defeated by a smaller French and Native American force in its attempt to capture Fort Duquesne in what is now downtown Pittsburgh. Read more
• 1745 — French victory in the Battle of Melle allows them to capture Ghent in the days after. Read more
• 1735 — Safavid Iran captures Ganja from the Ottoman Empire after defeating them in the battle of Yeghevārd. Read more
• 1701 — A Bourbon force under Nicolas Catinat withdraws from a smaller Habsburg force under Prince Eugene of Savoy in the Battle of Carpi. Read more
• 1609 — Bohemia is granted freedom of religion through the Letter of Majesty by the Holy Roman Emperor, Rudolf II. Read more
• 1572 — Nineteen Catholics suffer martyrdom for their beliefs, in the Dutch town of Gorkum. Read more
• 1540 — King Henry VIII of England annuls his marriage to his fourth wife, Anne of Cleves. Read more
• 1401 — Timur attacks the Jalairid Sultanate and destroys Baghdad. Read more
• 1386 — The Old Swiss Confederacy makes great strides in establishing control over its territory by soundly defeating the Duchy of Austria in the Battle of Sempach. Read more

Born on July 9

• 2003 — Conor Bradley, Northern Irish footballer Read more
• 1999 — Claire Corlett, American voice actress Read more
• 1993 — Mitch Larkin, Australian swimmer Read more
• 1993 — DeAndre Yedlin, American footballer Read more
• 1991 — Mitchel Musso, American actor and singer Read more
• 1990 — Earl Bamber, New Zealand race car driver Read more
• 1990 — Fábio, Brazilian footballer Read more
• 1990 — Rafael, Brazilian footballer Read more
• 1988 — Raul Rusescu, Romanian footballer Read more
• 1987 — Gert Jõeäär, Estonian cyclist Read more
• 1987 — Rebecca Sugar, American animator, composer, and screenwriter Read more
• 1986 — Sébastien Bassong, Cameroonian footballer Read more
• 1986 — Simon Dumont, American skier Read more
• 1986 — Kiely Williams, American singer-songwriter and dancer Read more
• 1985 — Paweł Korzeniowski, Polish swimmer Read more
• 1985 — Ashley Young, English footballer Read more
• 1984 — Chris Campoli, Canadian ice hockey player Read more
• 1984 — Gianni Fabiano, Italian footballer Read more
• 1984 — Jacob Hoggard, Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist Read more
• 1984 — Ave Pajo, Estonian footballer Read more
• 1984 — Piia Suomalainen, Finnish tennis player Read more
• 1984 — LA Tenorio, Filipino basketball player Read more
• 1982 — Alecko Eskandarian, American soccer player and manager Read more
• 1982 — Sakon Yamamoto, Japanese race car driver Read more
• 1981 — Lee Chun-soo, South Korean footballer Read more
• 1981 — Junauda Petrus, American author and performance artist Read more
• 1979 — Gary Chaw, Malaysian Chinese singer-songwriter Read more
• 1978 — Kara Goucher, American runner Read more
• 1978 — Nuno Santos, Portuguese footballer Read more
• 1977 — Sarah Ashton-Cirillo, American journalist Read more
• 1976 — Thomas Cichon, Polish-German footballer and manager Read more
• 1976 — Fred Savage, American actor, director, and producer Read more
• 1976 — Radike Samo, Fijian-Australian rugby player Read more
• 1975 — Shelton Benjamin, American wrestler Read more
• 1975 — Isaac Brock, American singer-songwriter and guitarist Read more
• 1975 — Robert Koenig, American director, producer, and screenwriter Read more
• 1975 — Craig Quinnell, Welsh rugby player Read more
• 1975 — Jack White, American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer Read more
• 1974 — Siân Berry, English environmentalist and politician Read more
• 1974 — Ian Bradshaw, Barbadian cricketer Read more

Died on July 9

• 2025 — Ian Blair, British police officer (born 1953) Read more
• 2025 — Glen Michael, British television presenter and entertainer (born 1926) Read more
• 2024 — Joe Bonsall, American country/gospel singer (born 1948) Read more
• 2024 — Diana Hill, New Zealand biochemist (born 1943) Read more
• 2024 — Jim Inhofe, American politician (born 1934) Read more
• 2024 — Maxine Singer, American biologist (born 1931) Read more
• 2024 — Jerzy Stuhr, Polish actor (born 1947) Read more
• 2022 — John Gwynne, English reporter and commentator (born 1945) Read more
• 2019 — William E. Dannemeyer, American politician (born 1929) Read more
• 2019 — Ross Perot, American businessman and politician (born 1930) Read more
• 2019 — Fernando de la Rúa, 43rd President of Argentina (born 1937) Read more
• 2019 — Rip Torn, American actor (born 1931) Read more
• 2019 — Freddie Jones, English actor (born 1927) Read more
• 2015 — Christian Audigier, French fashion designer (born 1958) Read more
• 2015 — Saud bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Arabian economist and politician, Saudi Arabian Minister of Foreign Affairs (born 1940) Read more
• 2014 — Lorenzo Álvarez Florentín, Paraguayan violinist and composer (born 1926) Read more
• 2014 — David Azrieli, Polish-Canadian businessman and philanthropist (born 1922) Read more
• 2014 — Eileen Ford, American businesswoman, co-founded Ford Models (born 1922) Read more
• 2014 — John Spinks, English guitarist and songwriter (born 1953) Read more
• 2013 — Markus Büchel, Liechtensteiner politician, 9th Prime Minister of Liechtenstein (born 1959) Read more
• 2013 — Andrew Nori, Solomon lawyer and politician (born 1952) Read more
• 2013 — Kiril of Varna, Bulgarian metropolitan (born 1954) Read more
• 2013 — Barbara Robinson, American author and poet (born 1927) Read more
• 2013 — Toshi Seeger, American activist, co-founded the Clearwater Festival (born 1922) Read more
• 2012 — Shin Jae-chul, South Korean-American martial artist (born 1936) Read more
• 2012 — Chick King, American baseball player (born 1930) Read more
• 2012 — Terepai Maoate, Cook Islander physician and politician, 6th Prime Minister of the Cook Islands (born 1934) Read more
• 2012 — Eugênio Sales, Brazilian cardinal (born 1920) Read more
• 2011 — Don Ackerman, American basketball player (born 1930) Read more
• 2011 — Facundo Cabral, Argentine singer-songwriter (born 1937) Read more
• 2010 — Jessica Anderson, Australian author and playwright (born 1916) Read more
• 2008 — Séamus Brennan, Irish accountant and politician, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (born 1948) Read more
• 2007 — Charles Lane, American actor (born 1905) Read more
• 2006 — Milan Williams, American keyboard player and producer (born 1948) Read more
• 2005 — Chuck Cadman, Canadian engineer and politician (born 1948) Read more
• 2005 — Yevgeny Grishin, Russian speed skater (born 1931) Read more
• 2005 — Alex Shibicky, Canadian ice hockey player (born 1914) Read more
• 2004 — Paul Klebnikov, American journalist and historian (born 1963) Read more
• 2004 — Isabel Sanford, American actress (born 1917) Read more
• 2002 — Mayo Kaan, American bodybuilder (born 1914) Read more

Holidays & observances

Arbor Day (Cambodia); Christian Feast Day: Amandina of Schakkebroek (one of Martyrs of Southern Hunan); Christian Feast Day: Blessed Marija Petković; Christian Feast Day: Everilda; Christian Feast Day: Blessed Giovanna Scopelli; Christian Feast Day: Gregorio Grassi (one of Martyrs of Shanxi); Christian Feast Day: Martyr Saints of China; Christian Feast Day: Martyrs of Gorkum; Christian Feast Day: Our Lady of Itatí; Christian Feast Day: Our Lady of Peace, Octave of the Visitation; Christian Feast Day: Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquirá; Christian Feast Day: Pauline of the Agonizing Heart of Jesus; Christian Feast Day: Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury (Anglican commemoration); Christian Feast Day: Veronica Giuliani; Christian Feast Day: July 9 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics); Constitution Day (Australia); Constitution Day (Palau); Constitutionalist Revolution Day (São Paulo); Day of the Employees of the Diplomatic Service (Azerbaijan); Independence Day, celebrates the declaration of independence of the United Provinces of South America by the Congress of Tucumán in 1816. (Argentina); Independence Day, celebrates the independence of South Sudan from Sudan in 2011.; Nunavut Day (Nunavut)

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