Osun Defender History Corner: March 9 In Focus
Today, on the history corner, we take a trip in the realm of flashback and recall some events that marked this day.
March 9, 1454
Amerigo Vespucci, Italian explorer, is born in Florence, Italy.
March 9, 1841
The U.S. Supreme Court rules in the Amistad case that captive Africans who had seized control of the ship had been taken into slavery illegally.
March 9, 1862
The USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia (formerly USS Merrimack) fight to a draw in the Battle of Hampton Roads, marking the first meeting in combat of ironclad warships.
March 9, 1916
Pancho Villa leads nearly 500 Mexican raiders in an attack against Columbus, New Mexico, killing 17 people.
March 9, 1933
The U.S. Congress begins its first session in the newly completed House of Representatives chamber in the U.S. Capitol.
March 9, 1954
CBS reporter Edward R. Murrow criticizes Senator Joseph McCarthy’s anti-communist tactics on the television program “See It Now.”
March 9, 1964
The first Ford Mustang rolls off the assembly line at Ford Motor Company in Detroit, Michigan.
March 9, 1976
Forty-two people are killed when the Sabena Flight 571 is hijacked by Palestinian terrorists and forced to land in Entebbe, Uganda.
March 9, 1990
Dr. Antonia Novello becomes the first woman and first Hispanic to serve as Surgeon General of the United States.
March 9, 1997
Rapper Christopher Wallace, known as The Notorious B.I.G., is killed in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles, California.
March 9, 2011
A magnitude 9.0 earthquake strikes off the coast of Japan, triggering a tsunami that causes widespread destruction and the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster.
March 9, 2014
Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 disappears while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, sparking one of the largest aviation mysteries in history.
March 9, 2015
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses a joint session of the United States Congress, opposing negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program.
March 9, 2016
Former First Lady Nancy Reagan dies at the age of 94 in Los Angeles, California.
March 9, 2018
President Donald Trump announces tariffs on imported steel and aluminum, sparking concerns of a trade war.
March 9, 2019
Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crashes shortly after takeoff from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, killing all 157 people on board.
March 9, 2020
The World Health Organization declares COVID-19 a global pandemic as cases continue to rise around the world.
March 9, 2021
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s interview with Oprah Winfrey airs, revealing details about their decision to step back from their roles as senior members of the British royal family.
March 9, 2022
SpaceX successfully launches the Starship SN20 prototype on a high-altitude test flight.
March 9, 2023
The International Criminal Court announces its intention to investigate allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the Russo-Ukrainian War.
Please note that these are just a few historical events that happened on March 9. History is full of numerous other significant events on this day, ranging from politics and warfare to cultural and scientific milestones.
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
