Treaty of Windsor Cements Anglo‑Portuguese Alliance
On May 9, 1386, King John I of Portugal and King Richard II of England signed the Treaty of Windsor, formalizing a political and military alliance between their kingdoms. The treaty pledged mutual support and granted extensive commercial privileges to English merchants in Portugal and vice versa. According to diplomatic historians, it helped secure Portuguese independence from Castilian pressure and gave England a stable ally on the Atlantic. The pact is often cited as one of Europe’s longest‑standing alliances, with symbolic echoes in the close relations between the two countries today.
Columbus Departs on His Fourth and Final Voyage
On May 9, 1502, Christopher Columbus set sail from Cádiz on his fourth voyage across the Atlantic. Commanding four ships, he was instructed by the Spanish Crown to find a westward passage to the Indian Ocean, but he instead explored parts of Central America, including the coasts of present‑day Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. The expedition was plagued by storms, shipwrecks, and conflict with both crew and Indigenous peoples. Though he never found the strait he sought, the voyage expanded European geographic knowledge of the Caribbean and Central American coastline.
Colonel Thomas Blood Tries to Steal the Crown Jewels
On May 9, 1671, Irish adventurer Colonel Thomas Blood carried out one of the most audacious heists in British history: an attempt to steal the Crown Jewels from the Tower of London. Disguised as a parson and aided by accomplices, Blood managed to seize the royal orb, scepter, and crown—famously flattening the crown with a mallet so it could fit under his cloak. The gang was captured as they tried to escape, but in a remarkable twist, King Charles II not only spared Blood’s life but granted him land and a pension. The king’s motives remain debated, ranging from amusement at Blood’s daring to shrewd political calculation.
Royal Charter Establishes King’s College, Future Columbia University
On May 9, 1754, King’s College in New York—later known as Columbia University—received its royal charter from King George II of Great Britain. The college was founded under the influence of the Church of England and was intended to educate colonial elites in theology, law, and the liberal arts. Its early students included figures who would play prominent roles in the American Revolution and the young republic. Over time, the institution transformed from a small Anglican college into a major secular research university at the heart of New York City.
Confederate President Jefferson Davis Captured in Georgia
On May 9, 1865, word reached Washington that Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederate States of America, had been captured by Union cavalry near Irwinville, Georgia. Davis had been fleeing south after the fall of Richmond and General Robert E. Lee’s surrender at Appomattox, hoping to continue resistance or escape abroad. His capture symbolized the collapse of organized Confederate leadership following the U.S. Civil War. Davis was imprisoned for two years at Fort Monroe in Virginia before being released on bail, and he was never tried for treason.
Birth of Archaeologist Howard Carter, Future Discoverer of Tutankhamun
On May 9, 1874, Howard Carter was born in Kensington, London. Trained initially as an artist, he became an archaeologist in Egypt, working on numerous digs before gaining fame for leading the 1922 discovery of the virtually intact tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings. His meticulous recording methods and dramatic unveiling of the burial chambers captivated the international public and sparked a surge of interest in Egyptology. Carter’s career also highlighted debates about colonial‑era archaeology, ownership of antiquities, and the ethics of excavation.
Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Arrives in Britain
On May 9, 1887, William “Buffalo Bill” Cody opened his famous Wild West show in London as part of Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee celebrations. The sprawling outdoor spectacle featured sharpshooting exhibitions by Annie Oakley, staged “Indian” attacks, buffalo hunts, and re‑creations of frontier battles. British audiences, including members of the royal family, were enthralled by this theatrical version of the American West. The show powerfully shaped European popular images of cowboys, Native Americans, and frontier life for decades to come.
Patent Granted for Edwin Beard Budding’s Improved Lawn Mower Design in U.S.
On May 9, 1899, the United States Patent Office granted a patent for an improved version of the rotary lawn mower design first developed by English engineer Edwin Beard Budding in the 1830s. This later refinement focused on more efficient cutting cylinders and adjustable mechanisms that made the machines easier for homeowners to use on small plots. While Budding’s original invention had already transformed the maintenance of lawns and sports grounds, such patents helped adapt the technology to mass‑market consumer use. The steady evolution of the lawn mower played a quiet but important role in the rise of suburban landscapes and manicured public parks.
Woodrow Wilson Proclaims Mother’s Day a U.S. National Holiday
On May 9, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation designating the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day in the United States. The idea had been championed for years by activist Anna Jarvis, who wanted a formal day to honor the sacrifices of mothers. Wilson’s proclamation encouraged Americans to display the national flag and express love and gratitude to their mothers in private and public ways. The holiday quickly became embedded in American culture and later spread, in various forms, to many other countries.
Richard E. Byrd Claims First Flight Over the North Pole
On May 9, 1926, U.S. naval officer Richard E. Byrd and pilot Floyd Bennett took off from Spitsbergen, in the Arctic, in a Fokker tri‑motor plane named Josephine Ford. They returned about 16 hours later and reported that they had flown over the geographic North Pole, an accomplishment that brought Byrd international fame. Decades later, some researchers questioned whether the flight actually reached the pole, pointing to airspeed and fuel records that seemed tight for the distance. Regardless of the controversy, the mission marked a dramatic moment in the era of polar exploration and the use of aircraft in extreme environments.
Winston Churchill Becomes Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
On May 9, 1940, King George VI asked Winston Churchill to form a government after Neville Chamberlain lost political support in the face of German aggression. Churchill assumed the role of prime minister just as Nazi forces were preparing to invade Belgium, the Netherlands, and France. His wartime leadership, marked by defiant speeches and a refusal to contemplate surrender, made him a central figure in Britain’s resistance. The change in leadership on this date signaled a harder line against appeasement as World War II accelerated.
Capture of U‑110 Yields Enigma Machine to Allied Codebreakers
On May 9, 1941, the German submarine U‑110 was attacked and forced to surface in the North Atlantic by Royal Navy vessels including HMS Bulldog and HMS Broadway. Before the U‑boat sank, a British boarding party seized an intact Enigma cipher machine and codebooks. These materials were rushed to codebreakers at Bletchley Park, where they helped refine efforts to decrypt German naval communications. According to wartime intelligence histories, successes against the Enigma system significantly aided Allied convoy routing and anti‑submarine operations.
Soviet Union Marks Victory Day as Nazi Germany Surrenders in Berlin
In the early hours of May 9, 1945, the German Instrument of Surrender went into effect in Berlin according to Moscow time, ending large‑scale combat in Europe for the Soviet Union. The day was celebrated across Soviet cities as Victory Day, with parades, fireworks, and mass gatherings honoring the immense sacrifices of soldiers and civilians. Unlike Western Europe, which commemorates Victory in Europe (VE) Day on May 8, Russia and several former Soviet republics still mark May 9 as their principal World War II remembrance. The choice of date underscores the different time zones and political narratives that shaped how the end of the war was remembered.
FDA Approves the First Oral Contraceptive Pill
On May 9, 1960, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Enovid as the first oral contraceptive pill for general use. Developed through research led by biologist Gregory Pincus and gynecologist John Rock, and funded in part by activist Margaret Sanger and philanthropist Katharine McCormick, the pill offered women an unprecedented degree of control over reproduction. It quickly became widely adopted despite ongoing debate over its safety, morality, and social impact. Many historians credit the pill’s approval with accelerating changes in women’s roles, career possibilities, and family planning across the second half of the twentieth century.
Muhammad Ali Conviction Spurs Cultural Debate on War and Dissent
On May 9, 1967, in the swirling controversy following heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali’s refusal to be drafted into the U.S. military, major newspapers and television programs devoted extensive coverage to his case and to the question of conscientious objection. Ali, who had been stripped of his boxing title in April, framed his resistance as rooted in both religious conviction and opposition to the Vietnam War. The conversations and editorials around this date helped move his stand from a boxing scandal into a broader cultural flashpoint about race, patriotism, and free speech. Over time, Ali became widely regarded not just as an athlete but as a cultural icon of principled protest.
The Beatles Release Let It Be in the United States
On May 9, 1970, the Beatles’ album Let It Be was released in the United States, just weeks after Paul McCartney publicly announced his departure from the band. The record, drawn from a troubled series of sessions originally conceived as a “back to basics” project, included songs like “Let It Be,” “The Long and Winding Road,” and “Get Back.” Producer Phil Spector’s orchestral overdubs on several tracks sparked disagreement within the group, especially with McCartney. The album arrived as a kind of coda to the Beatles’ era, blending spiritual ballads, rooftop rock, and the tension of a band coming apart.
House Judiciary Committee Opens Impeachment Hearings on Nixon
On May 9, 1974, the U.S. House Judiciary Committee began formal impeachment hearings against President Richard Nixon in the wake of the Watergate scandal. Meeting in a packed hearing room on Capitol Hill, members reviewed evidence about the break‑in at Democratic National Committee headquarters and the subsequent cover‑up. Much of the public could only glean the proceedings through periodic reports, as early sessions were held behind closed doors. By late July, the committee would approve articles of impeachment, prompting Nixon’s resignation on August 8 before a full House vote.
Accra Sports Stadium Disaster Claims Scores of Lives in Ghana
On May 9, 2001, a league football match between Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko at Accra Sports Stadium turned deadly when police fired tear gas into the stands to control rioting fans. The crowd surged toward locked exits, and the resulting crush led to the deaths of more than 120 people, according to official estimates. The tragedy, Ghana’s worst sports disaster, sparked a national outpouring of grief and a commission of inquiry into stadium safety and policing methods. Annual memorials on May 9 continue to honor the victims and remind officials of the importance of crowd‑control protocols.
Chechen President Akhmad Kadyrov Killed in Grozny Bombing
On May 9, 2004, Akhmad Kadyrov, the pro‑Moscow president of Chechnya, was assassinated when a bomb exploded at Grozny’s Dynamo stadium during Victory Day celebrations. The blast, which occurred near the VIP seating area, killed Kadyrov and several others, including officials and security personnel. The attack highlighted the continuing volatility of the North Caucasus region even amid Russian claims of stabilization. Kadyrov’s death paved the way for his son, Ramzan Kadyrov, to rise to power and eventually become the dominant political figure in Chechnya.
The Huffington Post Launches as an Online News and Blog Platform
On May 9, 2005, Arianna Huffington, Kenneth Lerer, and Jonah Peretti launched The Huffington Post (now HuffPost), a hybrid of news aggregation, original reporting, and opinion blogging. The site quickly drew attention for its blend of celebrity contributors, progressive commentary, and rapid‑fire coverage of breaking stories. Its success helped legitimize online‑only news outlets at a time when many traditional media organizations were still adjusting to the digital landscape. Within a few years, the outlet expanded internationally and won a Pulitzer Prize, underscoring the changing economics and influence of digital journalism.
President Obama Publicly Endorses Same‑Sex Marriage
On May 9, 2012, U.S. President Barack Obama stated in a televised interview that he supported same‑sex marriage, becoming the first sitting American president to do so openly. He framed the shift as a personal evolution influenced by conversations with staff, friends, and his family, as well as the service of gay and lesbian troops. The announcement energized LGBTQ+ activists and drew sharp reactions from opponents, injecting the issue squarely into the 2012 election season. While legal battles over marriage equality were already unfolding in the courts, Obama’s statement signaled a major shift in the political mainstream.
70th Anniversary Victory Day Parade Held in Moscow
On May 9, 2015, Russia staged a massive military parade in Moscow’s Red Square to mark the 70th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany. Thousands of troops, armored vehicles, and aircraft took part, while foreign leaders from several countries looked on from the reviewing stands. The event showcased both remembrance of wartime losses and contemporary displays of Russian military hardware. It also reflected how Victory Day remains a central pillar of Russian state identity and historical narrative in the twenty‑first century.
Moon Jae‑in Elected President of South Korea
On May 9, 2017, South Korean voters elected Moon Jae‑in as president in a snap election triggered by the impeachment of his predecessor, Park Geun‑hye. A former human rights lawyer and the son of North Korean refugees, Moon campaigned on reform, transparency, and a more engagement‑oriented approach to North Korea. He won with a clear plurality in a crowded field, reflecting public dissatisfaction with corruption scandals and economic inequality. His victory reshaped Seoul’s domestic politics and set the stage for high‑profile summits with Pyongyang and Washington in the years that followed.