May 9 is a day filled with important historical events and the birthdays of many famous people. From the world’s oldest treaty to the end of the American Civil War, this date has seen some major moments in history. Let’s take a closer look at what happened on May 9 and learn about the people born on this day who made their mark on the world.
Historical Events on May 9
World’s Oldest Treaty (1386)
On May 9, 1386, the Treaty of Windsor was signed between Portugal and England. This treaty made the two countries allies and helped them trade with each other. It is the oldest alliance between two countries that is still in place today. The treaty was important because it helped Portugal and England become stronger and work together.
End of the American Civil War (1865)
President Andrew Johnson made an announcement on May 9, 1865, saying that the fighting in the South was almost over. This date is often used to mark the end of the American Civil War. The end of the war was a big deal for the United States because it meant that the country was no longer divided and could start to heal.
First Australian Parliament (1901)
The first Australian Parliament opened in Melbourne on May 9, 1901. This was an important event for Australia because it marked the start of the country’s government. Even though the first official meeting didn’t happen until May 21, the opening ceremony was still a big moment in Australia’s history.
First Flight Over the North Pole (1926)
On May 9, 1926, Richard E. Byrd and Floyd Bennett said they flew over the North Pole. However, years later, people found Byrd’s diary and it suggested that they might have had to turn back early because of an oil leak. This means that they might not have actually made it to the North Pole.
Philippines and Japan Sign Peace Treaty (1956)
The Philippines and Japan signed a peace treaty on May 9, 1956, at the Malacañang Palace. This treaty was called the War Reparations and Peace Settlement. It was important because it helped the two countries move past the problems they had during World War II and start working together again.
The Huffington Post Launch (2005)
On May 9, 2005, The Huffington Post website was launched. This website publishes news and opinions from a liberal point of view. It quickly became popular and has had a big impact on how news is shared online. Many famous people have written articles for The Huffington Post over the years.
Famous Birthdays on May 9
John Brown (1800)
| Name | John Brown |
|---|---|
| Born | May 9, 1800, in Torrington, Connecticut |
| Occupation | Abolitionist, revolutionary |
| Known for | Leading the Harpers Ferry raid to end slavery |
| Died | December 2, 1859 (executed for treason) |
John Brown was an American abolitionist who fought against slavery. He believed in using violence to end slavery and led a famous raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859. Even though the raid failed and Brown was executed, his actions helped bring attention to the need to end slavery in the United States.
Ralph Boston (1939)
| Name | Ralph Boston |
|---|---|
| Born | May 9, 1939, in Laurel, Mississippi |
| Occupation | Athlete (long jumper) |
| Known for | Olympic gold (1960), silver (1964), and bronze (1968) medals in long jump; first to jump over 27 feet (8.2m) |
Ralph Boston was an amazing athlete who won many medals in the long jump. He was the first person to jump over 27 feet, which is a huge distance. Boston’s Olympic success made him one of the greatest long jumpers in history.
Mike Wallace (1918)
| Name | Mike Wallace |
|---|---|
| Born | May 9, 1918, in Brookline, Massachusetts |
| Occupation | Journalist, media personality |
| Known for | 60 Minutes (1968–2006), Biography |
| Died | April 7, 2012 |
Mike Wallace was a famous American journalist who worked on television for many years. He was best known for his work on the TV show “60 Minutes,” where he interviewed many important people and investigated interesting stories.
Wallace’s tough questions and dedication to finding the truth made him one of the most respected journalists of his time.
Glenda Jackson (1936)
| Name | Glenda Jackson |
|---|---|
| Born | May 9, 1936, in Birkenhead, Cheshire, England |
| Occupation | Actress, politician |
| Known for | Oscar, BAFTA, Emmy, and Tony Award-winning performances; Member of Parliament (1992-2015) |
Glenda Jackson is an English actress who has won many awards for her work on stage and screen. She has won Oscars, BAFTAs, Emmys, and Tony Awards, which are some of the most important awards in acting. Jackson was also a politician and served as a Member of Parliament from 1992 to 2015.
Harry Vardon (1870)
| Name | Harry Vardon |
|---|---|
| Born | May 9, 1870, in Grouville, Jersey |
| Occupation | Professional golfer |
| Known for | Winning the British Open 6 times and the US Open in 1900 |
| Died | March 20, 1937 |
Harry Vardon was a famous golfer from the island of Jersey. He won the British Open, which is one of the biggest golf tournaments, six times. Vardon also won the US Open in 1900. His success helped make golf more popular and influenced how the game is played today.
Howard Carter (1874)
| Name | Howard Carter |
|---|---|
| Born | May 9, 1874, in London, England |
| Occupation | Archaeologist, Egyptologist |
| Known for | Discovering King Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922 |
| Died | March 2, 1939 |
Howard Carter was a British archaeologist who became famous for discovering the tomb of King Tutankhamun in Egypt. This discovery was a huge deal because the tomb was filled with treasure and helped us learn a lot about ancient Egyptian history.
Carter’s work as an Egyptologist made him one of the most important archaeologists of his time.
Takeaways
As we’ve seen, May 9 is a date that has witnessed many significant historical events and the births of several remarkable individuals. From the world’s oldest treaty to groundbreaking achievements in sports, journalism, acting, and archaeology, the events and people associated with this day have left a lasting impact on our world.
By exploring these historical moments and celebrating the lives of those born on May 9, we gain a greater appreciation for the rich tapestry of human history and the countless contributions made by individuals from all walks of life. May their stories continue to inspire and educate us for generations to come.
References:
- “Treaty of Windsor.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 8 May 2023, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Windsor.
- “End of the American Civil War.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 9 May 2022, www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-american-civil-war-ends.
- “First Australian Parliament.” National Museum Australia, www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/first-australian-parliament.
- “Richard E. Byrd.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 6 May 2023, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_E._Byrd.
- “War Reparations and Peace Settlement between Philippines and Japan.” Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1956/05/09/war-reparations-and-peace-settlement-between-philippines-and-japan-was-signed-in-malacanang-palace-on-may-9-1956/.
- “The Huffington Post.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 5 May 2023, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HuffPost.
