Europa
- 1848: Execution of Robert Blum
Robert Blum, a prominent figure in the German revolutions of 1848, was executed on this day. His death symbolized the failure of the liberal revolution, which had aimed for constitutional reforms and greater civil rights in the fragmented German states. - 1918: Abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II and Proclamation of the Weimar Republic
Amidst the turmoil of World War I’s end, Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated. Social Democrat Philipp Scheidemann proclaimed the German Republic from the Reichstag, marking the end of the German monarchy and the beginning of the Weimar Republic. This event paved the way for Germany’s first experiment with democracy. - 1923: Hitler’s Beer Hall Putsch
Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party attempted a coup in Munich, known as the Beer Hall Putsch. The failed coup resulted in Hitler’s imprisonment but marked his emergence as a national political figure. Ten years later, Hitler would come to power, leading to catastrophic consequences for Europe and the world. - 1938: Kristallnacht (Night of Broken Glass)
On this night, a state-sponsored pogrom targeted Jews across Germany and Austria. Synagogues were burned, Jewish businesses were destroyed, and hundreds of Jews were killed or arrested. Kristallnacht marked a dramatic escalation in Nazi anti-Semitic policies and foreshadowed the Holocaust. - 1989: Fall of the Berlin Wall
The Berlin Wall, a symbol of the Cold War and the division of Europe, was opened after weeks of civil unrest in East Germany. Crowds crossed freely between East and West Berlin for the first time since 1961, signaling the collapse of communist regimes across Eastern Europe and paving the way for German reunification.
America
- 1872 – The Great Boston Fire
A devastating fire destroyed about 800 buildings in Boston, Massachusetts, marking one of the most destructive urban fires in U.S. history. - 1887 – U.S. Receives Rights to Pearl Harbor
The United States secured rights to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, which would later become a pivotal naval base, especially during World War II. - 1906 – President Theodore Roosevelt’s Historic Trip
Theodore Roosevelt became the first sitting U.S. president to travel abroad, visiting Panama to inspect the construction of the Panama Canal. - 1921 – Albert Einstein Awarded Nobel Prize
Although not an American event, it is notable that Albert Einstein, who would later become a U.S. citizen, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics on this day. - 1935 – Formation of the Committee for Industrial Organization
Labor leaders, including John L. Lewis, formed the Committee for Industrial Organization (CIO) in Atlantic City, New Jersey, which played a major role in the American labor movement. - 1961 – PGA Removes “Caucasians Only” Rule
The Professional Golfers’ Association of America eliminated its discriminatory “Caucasians only” clause, a significant step in the desegregation of American sports. - 1965 – The Northeast Blackout
A massive power failure struck nine Northeastern states and parts of Canada, affecting millions and lasting up to 13.5 hours. - 1967 – Apollo 4 Launch
NASA launched Apollo 4, the first test flight of the Saturn V rocket, from Cape Kennedy, marking a crucial milestone in the Apollo program. - 1984 – Vietnam Veterans Memorial Statue Unveiled
The “Three Servicemen” statue by Frederick Hart was unveiled at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.. - 1998 – Largest Civil Settlement in U.S. History
A federal judge ordered 37 brokerage houses to pay $1.03 billion to investors for price fixing on the NASDAQ, the largest civil settlement in U.S. history at the time. - 1857 – The Atlantic Monthly Debuts
The first issue of the influential literary magazine “The Atlantic Monthly” appeared on newsstands. - 1979 – Iran Hostage Crisis
The United Nations Security Council called for the release of American hostages taken in Tehran, Iran, on November 4.
Asia
- Junagadh’s Merger with India (1947): After the Nawab of Junagadh fled to Pakistan, a referendum was held on November 9, 1947, leading to the state’s merger with the Union of India. This was a key event in the political integration of India post-independence.
- Uttarakhand State Formation (2000): On November 9, 2000, Uttarakhand (formerly Uttaranchal) was carved out of Uttar Pradesh, becoming India’s 27th state.
- Death of K. R. Narayanan (2005): Kocheril Raman Narayanan, India’s 10th President, passed away on this day.
- End of the Kakatiya Dynasty (1323): Prataparudra, the last ruler of the Kakatiya dynasty in South India, surrendered to Muhammad bin Tughlaq of the Delhi Sultanate, marking a major shift in regional power.
- Meiji Restoration in Japan (1867): The Tokugawa shogunate formally returned power to the Emperor of Japan, initiating the Meiji Restoration and a period of rapid modernization.
- Japanese Capture of Shanghai (1937): Japanese troops took control of Shanghai, China, during the Second Sino-Japanese War, a pivotal moment in the conflict.
- Miike Coal Mine Disaster in Japan (1963): An explosion at the Miike coal mine killed 458 people and hospitalized 839 due to carbon monoxide poisoning, one of Japan’s worst mining disasters.
- Cambodia Independence Day: November 9 is celebrated as Independence Day in Cambodia, marking its declaration of independence from France in 1953.
- Sinking of SMS Emden (1914): During World War I, the German cruiser SMS Emden was sunk by HMAS Sydney in the Battle of Cocos, a significant naval engagement in the Indian Ocean.
- Birth Anniversary of Muhammad Iqbal (1877): Renowned philosopher and poet Muhammad Iqbal, regarded as having inspired the Pakistan Movement, was born on this day.
- World Freedom Day: While not exclusive to Asia, this observance on November 9 commemorates the fall of the Berlin Wall and the global spread of democracy, which had ripple effects in Asia, especially in shaping post-Cold War geopolitics.
Africa
- Operation Torch and the Surrender of Oran and Algiers (1942)
The most significant event in African history on November 9 is tied to World War II: the Allied campaign known as Operation Torch. This was the first major combined Anglo-American military operation of the war, targeting French North Africa—primarily Morocco and Algeria. - French North Africa under Vichy Control: At the time, Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia were controlled by the Vichy French regime, which initially resisted the Allied landings.
- Political Consequences: The surrender and subsequent cooperation of French forces in North Africa with the Allies had significant political ramifications, including the temporary recognition of Admiral Darlan as head of the French administration in the region.
This day in history: 9 november