September 9 Events in History

September 9 is a date marked by significant historical events across various fields. From pivotal battles and scientific advancements to major political changes and cultural milestones, this day has witnessed many transformative moments.

This article explores twenty notable events that occurred on September 9, highlighting their lasting impacts on the world. Join us as we delve into these key historical moments and their stories.

September 9th – On this Day in History

337 – Constantine II, Constantius II, and Constans Succeed Constantine the Great

On September 9, 337, Constantine II, Constantius II, and Constans succeeded their father, Constantine the Great, as co-emperors of the Roman Empire.

This division of power followed the death of Constantine the Great, who had been a pivotal figure in Roman history, notably for his support of Christianity and the establishment of Constantinople as the new capital.

The empire was split among his three sons:

  • Constantine II received the western provinces
  • Constantius II the eastern provinces
  • Constans the central provinces, including Italy and Africa

This triarchy aimed to maintain stability and control over the vast empire but eventually led to conflicts and power struggles among the brothers.

1000 – The Battle of Svolder

The Battle of Svolder

On September 9, 1000, the Battle of Svolder, a significant naval battle, took place in the Baltic Sea.

The battle involved King Olaf Tryggvason of Norway and a coalition of his enemies, including King Sweyn Forkbeard of Denmark, King Olof Skötkonung of Sweden, and the Norwegian earl Eirik Hákonarson.

Olaf Tryggvason, known for his efforts to Christianize Norway, faced a coalition determined to end his reign. The battle ended in a decisive defeat for Olaf, who, according to legend, leapt into the sea and disappeared.

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The outcome reshaped the political landscape of Scandinavia, with Norway falling under the influence of Denmark and Sweden.

1513 – The Battle of Flodden Field

On September 9, 1513, the Battle of Flodden Field was fought between England and Scotland, near Branxton in Northumberland.

This battle was part of the larger conflict known as the War of the League of Cambrai. King James IV of Scotland led his forces into England to support his French allies against Henry VIII of England.

The English army, commanded by Thomas Howard, the Earl of Surrey, met the Scots in a bloody and decisive battle. The Scots suffered a catastrophic defeat, with James IV himself killed on the battlefield, marking the last time a British monarch died in battle.

The loss significantly weakened Scotland and ended James IV’s aspirations of expanding his influence.

1543 – Mary Stuart Crowned Queen of Scots

On September 9, 1543, Mary Stuart, just nine months old, was crowned “Queen of Scots” in the town of Stirling. Mary’s ascent to the throne followed the death of her father, King James V of Scotland, shortly after her birth.

Mary Queen of Scots

Her coronation was a significant event, symbolizing the continuity of the Stuart dynasty amidst a turbulent period marked by political and religious strife. As Mary was an infant, the country was governed by regents during her early years.

Her life was marked by dramatic events, including her forced abdication, imprisonment, and eventual execution in England. Her reign and subsequent martyrdom left a lasting legacy in Scottish and British history.

1739 – The Stono Rebellion

On September 9, 1739, the Stono Rebellion, the largest slave uprising in the British mainland colonies prior to the American Revolution, began in South Carolina.

Led by a literate slave named Jemmy, a group of around 20 enslaved Africans gathered near the Stono River, raided a firearms shop, and marched south toward Spanish Florida, where they were promised freedom.

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Along the way, they recruited more slaves and killed several white colonists. The rebellion was eventually suppressed by the colonial militia, resulting in the death of many participants and the capture of others.

The Stono Rebellion had a profound impact on the colonies, leading to stricter slave codes and heightened fears of further insurrections.

1776 – Continental Congress Names the United States

On September 9, 1776, the Continental Congress officially adopted the name “United States” for the union of the colonies that had declared their independence from Great Britain. Prior to this, the country had been referred to as the “United Colonies.”

This change was more than a simple rebranding; it reflected the emerging sense of a unified national identity among the colonies. The adoption of the name “United States” signaled a commitment to unity and collective action in the struggle for independence, and it laid the foundation for the development of a national government and constitution.

1791 – Washington, D.C. Named After President George Washington

On September 9, 1791, the capital of the United States was named Washington, D.C., in honor of President George Washington. The designation of a new federal district came after the Residence Act of 1790, which authorized the creation of a capital along the Potomac River.

George Washington

President Washington chose the specific location, which would serve as the political center of the new nation. Naming the city after Washington was a tribute to his leadership and role in the founding of the United States.

The city’s layout, designed by Pierre Charles L’Enfant, reflected the aspirations of a new republic, with grand avenues and prominent sites for the federal government’s three branches.

1839 – John Herschel Takes the First Glass Plate Photograph

On September 9, 1839, John Herschel, an English polymath and astronomer, took the first photograph on a glass plate. Herschel’s work in photography was pioneering; he invented the cyanotype process and introduced important concepts like the use of “negative” and “positive” in photographic reproduction.

The glass plate photograph represented a significant advancement over earlier methods, which used paper and metal plates. Herschel’s innovation allowed for higher-quality images and contributed to the development of modern photographic techniques.

His contributions to photography were part of a broader legacy of scientific achievements, including significant work in astronomy, mathematics, and chemistry.

1850 – California Admitted as the 31st State

On September 9, 1850, California was admitted to the United States as the 31st state. The admission of California was a direct result of the Gold Rush, which had begun in 1848 and led to a massive influx of settlers. The rapid population growth and economic boom necessitated the establishment of a more formal government structure.

California’s entry into the Union was part of the Compromise of 1850, a series of measures aimed at resolving the sectional conflicts between free and slave states.

As a free state, California’s admission balanced the interests of both sides in the ongoing debate over slavery, although it also heightened tensions leading up to the Civil War.

1855 – Crimean War: Siege of Sevastopol Ends

On September 9, 1855, the Siege of Sevastopol during the Crimean War ended with a decisive defeat for Russian forces. The siege had lasted for 11 months, with British, French, and Ottoman forces laying siege to the strategic port city on the Black Sea.

Siege of Sevastopol

The fall of Sevastopol marked a turning point in the Crimean War, demonstrating the effectiveness of modern military technology and tactics. The allies’ victory showcased the use of trench warfare, heavy artillery, and coordinated assaults.

The end of the siege significantly weakened Russian influence in the region and led to the eventual signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1856, which redefined power dynamics in Europe and the Middle East.

1922 – Greco-Turkish War Ends with Capture of Smyrna

On September 9, 1922, the Greco-Turkish War effectively ended with the capture of Smyrna (modern-day Izmir) by Turkish forces. This conflict was part of the larger series of events known as the Turkish War of Independence, following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire after World War I.

Greek forces had occupied Smyrna in 1919, but Turkish nationalist forces, led by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, launched a successful counter-offensive.

The recapture of Smyrna marked a decisive victory for the Turks and led to significant population exchanges between Greece and Turkey under the subsequent Treaty of Lausanne in 1923. The fall of Smyrna also resulted in a tragic humanitarian crisis, with fires destroying much of the city and causing substantial loss of life and displacement.

1926 – Creation of the National Broadcasting Company (NBC)

On September 9, 1926, the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) was created by the Radio Corporation of America (RCA). As one of the first major radio networks in the United States, NBC played a pivotal role in shaping the future of broadcasting.

It introduced many innovative programming formats and established a nationwide network that connected listeners across the country. NBC’s creation marked the beginning of the golden age of radio, bringing entertainment, news, and cultural programming into American homes.

The network’s influence extended beyond radio, as it later became a major player in the television industry, helping to define modern broadcast media.

1947 – First Recorded Case of a Computer Bug

On September 9, 1947, the first recorded case of a computer bug was logged by Grace Hopper, a pioneering computer scientist, while working on the Harvard Mark II computer.

The term “bug” was used to describe a moth that had become lodged in a relay, causing the computer to malfunction. Hopper’s team carefully removed the moth and taped it into the logbook, noting it as the “first actual case of a bug being found.”

This incident humorously highlighted the literal origin of the term “bug” in computing, which has since become a standard term for any software or hardware issue. Grace Hopper’s contributions to computing were substantial, including the development of early compilers and programming languages.

1948 – Establishment of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

On September 9, 1948, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) was officially established, with Kim Il-sung as its first leader. This event followed the division of Korea at the 38th parallel after World War II, with the northern part occupied by Soviet forces and the southern part by American forces.

The establishment of North Korea marked the beginning of a communist state in the northern half of the Korean Peninsula, characterized by a centralized government and a focus on self-reliance, or Juche.

The division led to significant political and military tensions with South Korea, culminating in the Korean War in 1950. North Korea’s formation set the stage for decades of complex international relations and ongoing conflict on the Korean Peninsula.

1956 – Elvis Presley Appears on “The Ed Sullivan Show”

On September 9, 1956, Elvis Presley made his first appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show,” one of the most popular television programs of the era. This performance was a landmark moment in music history, propelling Elvis to national stardom.

Despite initial reservations by Ed Sullivan, who had previously declared that he would never book Elvis, the show’s producer agreed to feature the young rock and roll singer. The broadcast attracted an estimated 60 million viewers, a record at the time, and showcased Elvis’s dynamic performance style, which included his famous gyrating hips.

This appearance not only cemented Elvis’s status as the “King of Rock and Roll” but also marked a significant cultural shift, as rock and roll began to dominate the American music scene.

1965 – Hurricane Betsy Makes Landfall in New Orleans

On September 9, 1965, Hurricane Betsy made its second landfall, striking New Orleans, Louisiana. Betsy was one of the most devastating hurricanes to hit the United States at that time, earning the nickname “Billion-Dollar Betsy” due to the extensive damage it caused. The hurricane brought severe flooding to New Orleans, breaching levees and inundating large parts of the city.

The storm killed 76 people and caused over $1 billion in damages (equivalent to over $8 billion today). Betsy’s impact led to significant improvements in hurricane forecasting and disaster preparedness, and it underscored the vulnerability of New Orleans to major storms, foreshadowing the catastrophic events of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

1971 – Attica Prison Riot

On September 9, 1971, the Attica Prison riot began at the Attica Correctional Facility in New York. The uprising was sparked by inmates demanding better living conditions, political rights, and an end to what they perceived as rampant abuse and neglect.

Over 1,000 of the facility’s approximately 2,200 inmates took control of the prison, seizing hostages and negotiating for improved conditions.

The standoff lasted four days and ended in a violent retaking of the prison by law enforcement on September 13, resulting in the deaths of 43 people, including ten correctional officers and civilian employees. The riot drew national attention to the conditions in American prisons and led to significant discussions and reforms in the U.S. penal system.

1976 – Death of Mao Zedong

On September 9, 1976, Mao Zedong, the founding father of the People’s Republic of China, died at the age of 82.

Mao had been the paramount leader of China since the establishment of the People’s Republic in 1949, leading the country through significant political and social transformations, including the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution. His death marked the end of an era and precipitated a power struggle among China’s leadership.

Ultimately, Deng Xiaoping emerged as the new leader, steering China towards economic reforms and opening up to the global market. Mao’s legacy remains complex, as he is revered for his role in founding modern China but also criticized for the severe consequences of his policies.

1991 – Tajikistan Declares Independence from the Soviet Union

On September 9, 1991, Tajikistan declared its independence from the Soviet Union, becoming one of the last republics to do so during the dissolution of the Soviet Union. This move followed a failed coup attempt against Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in August 1991, which accelerated the collapse of Soviet authority.

Tajikistan’s independence marked the beginning of a new chapter for the country, but it also led to significant internal turmoil. The nation soon descended into a civil war that lasted from 1992 to 1997, resulting in substantial loss of life and economic disruption.

Despite these challenges, independence allowed Tajikistan to begin the difficult process of nation-building and establishing its place in the international community.

2015 – Queen Elizabeth II Becomes Longest-Reigning British Monarch

On September 9, 2015, Queen Elizabeth II became the longest-reigning British monarch, surpassing the previous record held by her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria. Elizabeth II ascended to the throne on February 6, 1952, following the death of her father, King George VI.

Her reign has seen significant changes in British society and the Commonwealth, as well as numerous historical milestones, including the end of the British Empire and the advent of the information age.

Celebrations and tributes marked this historic occasion, recognizing her dedication and service. Her record-breaking reign is seen as a symbol of continuity and stability in a rapidly changing world.