June 9 has been a significant day throughout history, marked by events that have shaped nations and cultures.
This article explores twenty key occurrences on this date, from Emperor Nero’s dramatic fall in 68 AD to the 2008 earthquake in Crete.
These events highlight the diverse impacts a single day can have across different eras and regions. Join us as we uncover the stories and legacies of these historical moments.
June 9th – On this Day in History
68 AD – Roman Emperor Nero commits suicide after being declared a public enemy by the Senate
Nero, born as Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus, became the fifth Roman Emperor and ruled from 54 AD until his death. His reign is often associated with tyranny and extravagance.
In 68 AD, facing a loss of support from the Roman Senate and military, and declared a public enemy, Nero chose to take his own life. His death marked the end of the Julio-Claudian dynasty and led to a brief period of civil war known as the Year of the Four Emperors.
721 – Odo of Aquitaine defeats the Moors in the Battle of Toulouse
The Battle of Toulouse was a significant conflict during the early period of the Umayyad invasion of Gaul. Odo the Great, Duke of Aquitaine, successfully defended the city of Toulouse against the Umayyad forces led by Al-Samh ibn Malik al-Khawlani, the governor of Al-Andalus.
This victory was crucial as it halted the northward expansion of the Moors into Frankish territories for a time and set the stage for future confrontations between the Islamic and Christian forces in Europe.
1310 – Duccio’s Maestà altarpiece, a seminal work of Italian Gothic art, is unveiled in Siena Cathedral
The Maestà by Duccio di Buoninsegna is one of the most important works of Italian Gothic art. Commissioned for the high altar of Siena Cathedral, it consists of a large central panel depicting the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child, surrounded by angels and saints.
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The altarpiece, created between 1308 and 1311, showcases Duccio’s masterful use of color and composition, and it had a profound influence on the development of Sienese painting.
1534 – Jacques Cartier becomes the first European to describe and map the Saint Lawrence River
French explorer Jacques Cartier embarked on his first voyage to North America in 1534 under the commission of King Francis I of France.
During this expedition, Cartier entered and explored the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and the Saint Lawrence River.
His discoveries laid the groundwork for future French claims and settlements in the region, significantly contributing to the European exploration and colonization of North America.
1549 – The Church of England adopts the Book of Common Prayer
The Book of Common Prayer, compiled by Thomas Cranmer, the Archbishop of Canterbury, was officially adopted by the Church of England on June 9, 1549. This book provided a unified, English-language liturgy for Anglican worship, replacing the Latin rites that had been used previously.
The adoption of the Book of Common Prayer was a crucial step in the English Reformation, as it helped to establish Protestant doctrines and practices within the Church of England. It remains one of the most influential and enduring texts in English religious history.
1667 – The Raid on the Medway by the Dutch fleet in the Second Anglo-Dutch War begins, lasting until June 14
The Raid on the Medway was a daring and successful naval attack by the Dutch fleet on the English fleet anchored in the River Medway, near Chatham, during the Second Anglo-Dutch War. Led by Admiral Michiel de Ruyter, the Dutch forces breached English defenses and inflicted significant damage.
They captured and burned several ships, including the flagship HMS Royal Charles. The raid was a severe blow to English naval prestige and forced the English to sue for peace, leading to the Treaty of Breda in 1667, which ended the war.
1732 – James Oglethorpe is granted a royal charter for the colony of Georgia
On June 9, 1732, British philanthropist and military leader James Oglethorpe received a royal charter from King George II to establish the colony of Georgia. The colony was named in honor of the king. Oglethorpe envisioned Georgia as a place for England’s “worthy poor” to start anew, particularly debtors released from prison.
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He also intended it to serve as a buffer state to protect the more prosperous Carolinas from Spanish Florida. Georgia’s founding emphasized principles of equality and hard work, with initial bans on slavery and large landholdings.
1772 – The British vessel Gaspee is burned in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island
The Gaspee Affair was a significant pre-Revolutionary War event where American colonists attacked and burned the British customs schooner HMS Gaspee. The Gaspee, commanded by Lieutenant William Dudingston, was enforcing unpopular trade regulations.
On June 9, 1772, local patriots, led by John Brown, lured the Gaspee aground in Narragansett Bay and then boarded and set fire to the ship. This act of defiance against British authority heightened tensions between the colonies and the British government, contributing to the growing sentiment for independence.
1815 – The Congress of Vienna ends, leading to the redrawing of the map of Europe
The Congress of Vienna, held from September 1814 to June 9, 1815, was a conference of European states aimed at restoring stability and balance of power after the Napoleonic Wars. Major powers, including Austria, Russia, Prussia, and Britain, led the negotiations.
The congress redrew the map of Europe, restoring old boundaries and establishing new ones to prevent future French aggression. Notable outcomes included the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy in France, the creation of the German Confederation, and the recognition of Swiss neutrality.
The Congress of Vienna established a framework for European international relations that lasted for much of the 19th century.
1856 – 500 Mormons leave Iowa City, Iowa, and head west for Salt Lake City carrying all their possessions in two-wheeled handcarts
On June 9, 1856, a group of 500 Mormon pioneers, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, set out from Iowa City, Iowa, on a journey to Salt Lake City, Utah. Unable to afford traditional covered wagons, these pioneers used handcarts to carry their belongings.
This journey was part of the larger Mormon migration to the West, led by Brigham Young, to escape religious persecution. The handcart pioneers faced numerous hardships, including harsh weather and limited supplies. Despite the challenges, their perseverance and faith became a symbol of the Mormon pioneer spirit.
1900 – India Palace of Mysore catches fire, killing 100 people
On June 9, 1900, the historic Mysore Palace in Karnataka, India, caught fire, resulting in the deaths of approximately 100 people. The palace, a royal residence of the Wodeyar dynasty, was constructed out of wood and featured elaborate designs and precious artifacts.
The fire caused extensive damage, destroying much of the palace’s grandeur. Following this tragedy, the palace was rebuilt using more fire-resistant materials, and the new structure, completed in 1912, became a significant example of Indo-Saracenic architecture.
1915 – William Jennings Bryan resigns as Secretary of State in protest against President Woodrow Wilson’s pro-Allied policies
William Jennings Bryan, a prominent American politician and orator, resigned from his position as Secretary of State on June 9, 1915. Bryan, who had been appointed by President Woodrow Wilson, strongly opposed Wilson’s increasingly pro-Allied stance during World War I.
He was particularly concerned about the U.S. response to the sinking of the RMS Lusitania by a German submarine, which killed 128 Americans. Bryan feared that Wilson’s policies would inevitably lead the United States into the war. His resignation highlighted the deep divisions within the U.S. government regarding its stance on the conflict.
1928 – Charles Kingsford Smith completes the first trans-Pacific flight from the United States to Australia
On June 9, 1928, Australian aviator Charles Kingsford Smith and his crew completed the first trans-Pacific flight from the United States to Australia. They flew in a Fokker F.VII/3m monoplane named the Southern Cross. The journey began in Oakland, California, on May 31, with stops in Hawaii and Fiji, before landing in Brisbane, Australia.
The flight covered approximately 7,400 miles (11,900 kilometers) and took about 83 hours of flying time. This achievement established Kingsford Smith as one of the greatest aviators of his time and significantly advanced the possibilities of long-distance air travel.
1934 – Donald Duck makes his debut in The Wise Little Hen
Donald Duck, one of Disney’s most beloved characters, made his first appearance on June 9, 1934, in the animated short film “The Wise Little Hen.” The cartoon, part of the Silly Symphonies series, featured Donald Duck as a lazy, scheming character who tries to avoid work.
His distinctive voice, provided by Clarence “Ducky” Nash, and his comedic personality quickly endeared him to audiences. Over the years, Donald Duck became one of Disney’s iconic characters, starring in numerous films, TV shows, and comic strips, and contributing significantly to the success of the Walt Disney Company.
1940 – Norway surrenders to Nazi Germany during World War II
On June 9, 1940, Norway officially surrendered to Nazi Germany after a two-month campaign during World War II. German forces had invaded Norway on April 9, 1940, as part of Operation Weserübung, seeking to secure strategic positions and resources such as iron ore.
Despite valiant resistance from Norwegian and Allied forces, the Germans quickly gained control of key cities and infrastructure. The Norwegian government and royal family fled to Britain, where they continued to lead the resistance.
The occupation of Norway lasted until the end of the war in 1945, during which time the country endured significant hardships and collaborationist rule under Vidkun Quisling.
1944 – 99 civilians are hung from lampposts and balconies by German troops in Tulle, France, in reprisal for Maquis attacks
On June 9, 1944, German troops carried out a brutal reprisal against the town of Tulle, France. The previous day, the French Resistance, known as the Maquis, had engaged in intense fighting with German forces in the area. In retaliation, the 2nd SS Panzer Division Das Reich was ordered to make an example of the town.
The Germans rounded up male residents, and 99 men were hanged from lampposts and balconies, while 149 others were deported to concentration camps. This atrocity was part of a broader pattern of reprisals by German forces against civilian populations in occupied territories, aimed at suppressing resistance and instilling fear.
1954 – Joseph Welch, special counsel for the U.S. Army, lashes out at Senator Joseph McCarthy during the Army-McCarthy hearings, effectively ending McCarthy’s career
On June 9, 1954, during the Army-McCarthy hearings, Joseph N. Welch, special counsel for the U.S. Army, confronted Senator Joseph McCarthy with a memorable rebuke. The hearings were part of McCarthy’s investigation into alleged communist infiltration in the U.S. Army. McCarthy accused a young lawyer in Welch’s law firm of having communist ties.
In response, Welch famously asked, “Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last? Have you left no sense of decency?” This confrontation exposed McCarthy’s tactics to the public and significantly weakened his influence. McCarthy’s career rapidly declined after this event, and he was formally censured by the Senate later that year.
1973 – Secretariat wins the Belmont Stakes and becomes the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years
On June 9, 1973, Secretariat, a legendary American Thoroughbred racehorse, won the Belmont Stakes, completing the Triple Crown. Secretariat’s performance in the Belmont Stakes is considered one of the greatest in horse racing history. He won by an astonishing 31 lengths, setting a world record for the 1.5-mile distance that still stands.
Secretariat’s Triple Crown victory—having previously won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes—was the first in 25 years, cementing his status as one of the greatest racehorses of all time. His dominance on the track captured the public’s imagination and left an enduring legacy in the sport.
1999 – The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and NATO sign a peace treaty
On June 9, 1999, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) and NATO signed the Kumanovo Agreement, officially ending the Kosovo War. The conflict had begun in 1998, as ethnic tensions and violence escalated between Kosovo Albanians and Serbian forces.
NATO intervened with a bombing campaign against FRY military targets to halt human rights abuses and force a withdrawal of Serbian forces from Kosovo. The peace treaty stipulated the withdrawal of Yugoslav troops and the establishment of a NATO-led peacekeeping force (KFOR) in Kosovo.
This agreement marked the end of the war and the beginning of a UN administration in Kosovo, leading to its eventual declaration of independence in 2008.
2008 – A 6.4 magnitude earthquake strikes the Greek island of Crete
On June 9, 2008, a powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.4 struck the Greek island of Crete. The earthquake’s epicenter was located near the town of Moires, and it caused significant shaking throughout the island and in other parts of Greece.
Despite the intensity of the quake, there were relatively few casualties, with two people reported dead and dozens injured. The earthquake caused damage to buildings, infrastructure, and historic sites. The response to the quake involved local authorities and emergency services, who worked to provide aid and assess the structural damage to ensure the safety of residents and tourists.