1671
Crime
Crown Jewels Theft Attempt
Thomas Blood brazenly attempted to steal the Crown Jewels of England from the Tower of London but was caught during his escape.
🌍 On This Day May 9
Peaceful declarations for unity and the expansion of rights
30 historical moments · one line of insight
1837
Business
Adam Opel Born
Adam Opel, the founder of the German automobile company Opel, was born. He initially started his business manufacturing sewing machines and bicycles.
1860
Birth
J.M. Barrie Born
J.M. Barrie, the Scottish author who created 'Peter Pan', was born. Capturing the loss and innocence hidden in the adult world, his work invites generations into a realm of endless imagination.
1874
Exploration
Howard Carter Born
British archaeologist Howard Carter, who famously discovered the intact tomb of the 18th Dynasty Pharaoh Tutankhamun in Egypt, was born.
1893
Tech
Edison Demonstrates Kinetoscope
Thomas Edison publicly demonstrated the Kinetoscope, an early motion picture exhibition device designed for viewing films by one individual at a time.
1901
Politics
First Australian Parliament Opens
The first Australian Parliament opened in Melbourne following the federation of six colonies. Stepping beyond a colonial past to establish its own laws exemplifies humanity's universal aspiration for self-governance.
1904
Tech
City of Truro Breaks 100 mph
The British steam locomotive City of Truro was informally timed running at over 100 mph, a significant milestone in railway history.
1914
News
Mother's Day in US
President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation officially designating the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day in the United States.
1921
Protest
Sophie Scholl Born
Sophie Scholl, a German student and anti-Nazi political activist active within the White Rose non-violent resistance group, was born.
1926
Exploration
Byrd Claims North Pole Flight
Americans Richard E. Byrd and Floyd Bennett claimed to have made the first flight over the North Pole, though records later cast doubt on their claim.
1936
Diplomacy
Italy Annexes Ethiopia
Fascist Italy, under Benito Mussolini, formally annexed Ethiopia following its invasion, proclaiming King Victor Emmanuel III as Emperor.
1944
Science
First Eye Bank Opens
The world's first eye bank was established at a hospital in New York City, pioneering the organized collection and distribution of corneas for transplantation.
1945
News
Victory Day in USSR
Following the formal German surrender, the Soviet Union celebrated Victory Day, marking the end of the devastating Great Patriotic War.
1949
Music
Billy Joel Born
Billy Joel, the American singer-songwriter and pianist known for classic hits like Piano Man, was born in New York.
1950
Politics
Schuman Declaration
French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman proposed integrating Europe's coal and steel industries. Transforming tools of war into foundations for cooperation, this innovative idea became the cornerstone of the European Union.
1958
Film
Vertigo Premieres
Alfred Hitchcock's psychological thriller Vertigo premiered in San Francisco. It is now widely considered one of the greatest films ever made.
1960
Science
First Birth Control Pill Approved
The FDA approved the world's first oral contraceptive pill. By empowering women to control their bodies and reproduction, this tiny pill sparked a revolution that fundamentally transformed social rights.
1970
Protest
DC Anti-War Protest
Following the Kent State shootings, approximately 100,000 protesters gathered in Washington, D.C. to demonstrate peacefully against the Vietnam War.
1974
Music
Springsteen Called Rock Future
Music critic Jon Landau saw Bruce Springsteen perform at Harvard Square Theater and famously wrote, 'I saw rock and roll future.'
1980
Disaster
Sunshine Skyway Bridge Collapse
A freighter collided with a pier of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Florida during a storm, causing a collapse and 35 fatalities.
1992
TV
The Golden Girls Finale
The final episode of the beloved sitcom The Golden Girls aired, drawing over 27 million viewers and concluding its successful seven-season run.
1992
Diplomacy
UNFCCC Adopted
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was adopted in New York, setting global guidelines for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
1994
Politics
Mandela Elected President
Nelson Mandela was elected South Africa's first black president, ending apartheid. His monumental decision to choose forgiveness and reconciliation over revenge became a beacon of human peace for a divided nation.
1998
Music
Dana International Wins Eurovision
Transgender singer Dana International representing Israel won the Eurovision Song Contest, marking a significant cultural moment for diversity in music.
2001
Disaster
Accra Sports Stadium Disaster
A stampede at the Accra Sports Stadium in Ghana, triggered by police firing tear gas into the crowd, resulted in 126 deaths.
2004
News
Akhmad Kadyrov Assassinated
Akhmad Kadyrov, the Russian-backed President of the Chechen Republic, was assassinated in a bomb blast during a Victory Day parade in Grozny.
2012
Disaster
Sukhoi Superjet Crash
A Russian Sukhoi Superjet 100 crashed into Mount Salak during a demonstration flight in Indonesia, killing all 45 people on board.
2013
Science
CO2 Levels Surpass 400 ppm
The daily average atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide exceeded 400 parts per million for the first time in human history at Mauna Loa Observatory.
2017
News
Moon Jae-in Elected
Moon Jae-in was elected as the 19th President of South Korea following a snap election, beginning a new administration.
2020
Music
Little Richard Dies
Little Richard, the flamboyant and highly influential founding father of rock and roll music, died at the age of 87.
A line for today
"Forging peace from tools of war and taking control of destiny, humanity marches forward."
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