This day in history: 9 may

Europa

Europe Day (Schuman Declaration, 1950)

• On 9 May 1950, French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman delivered the “Schuman Declaration,” proposing the creation of a European organization to pool French and German coal and steel production. This initiative aimed to make war between European nations “not merely unthinkable, but materially impossible,” laying the foundation for European integration and ultimately the European Union.
• Europe Day is celebrated annually on 9 May by the European Union to commemorate this declaration and to promote peace and unity across the continent.

Victory Day (End of World War II in Europe, 1945)

• In Russia and several other post-Soviet states, 9 May is celebrated as Victory Day, marking the defeat of Nazi Germany and the end of World War II in Europe. The German Instrument of Surrender was signed late on 8 May 1945 (Central European Time), which was already 9 May in Moscow due to the time difference.
• This day is a major public holiday in Russia and is observed with military parades and commemorations. Most Western European countries mark Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) on 8 May instead.

America

• 1862: During the Civil War, Union General David Hunter issued orders freeing the slaves in South Carolina, Florida, and Georgia-though this was soon countermanded by President Lincoln.
• 1914: President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation designating the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day.
• 1926: American aviators Richard Byrd and Floyd Bennett claimed to have flown over the North Pole (though later evidence cast doubt on this).
• 1980: The Sunshine Skyway Bridge disaster occurred in Florida when a freighter struck the bridge, causing a collapse that killed 35 people.
• 1960: The FDA announced approval of the first oral contraceptive pill, Enovid, revolutionizing birth control.
• 2020: The U.S. unemployment rate hit 14.9% due to the COVID-19 recession, the highest since the Great Depression.

Other May 9 Observances in the U.S.:

• National Home Front Heroes Day
• National Alphabet Magnet Day
• National Sleepover Day
• National Butterscotch Brownie Day

Asia

Victory Day (End of World War II in Europe)

• In many Asian countries that were part of the former Soviet Union, 9 May is celebrated as Victory Day, commemorating the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in 1945. This includes countries like Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Mongolia, where it is observed with ceremonies, parades, and public holidays.
• Uzbekistan observes 9 May as the “Day of Remembrance and Honour” rather than Victory Day, focusing on honoring those who suffered during the war.

Other Notable Events

• In recent years, some Asian countries have adjusted or downplayed Victory Day celebrations due to changing political climates and relationships with Russia.
• In Pakistan, 9 May has recently become significant due to major protests and political unrest, marking it as a day of national reflection and calls for justice.

Africa

Nelson Mandela Chosen as President (1994)

• On May 9, 1994, South Africa’s newly elected parliament chose Nelson Mandela to be the country’s first Black president, marking a pivotal moment in the nation’s transition from apartheid to democracy.

Accra Sports Stadium Disaster (2001)

• On May 9, 2001, tragedy struck in Ghana when 129 football fans died in a stampede at the Accra Sports Stadium. The disaster occurred after police fired tear gas into the stands during a match, causing panic and a deadly rush for the exits.