Did you know that one single day could change the fate of Europe, the world and all civilization – not once, but dozens of times? Looking at the historical calendar for May 9, it is difficult to resist the impression that this date is exceptionally saturated with landmark moments. If you are wondering what happened that day in history, you have an answer ahead of you – and it is surprisingly rich. Welcome to a journey for centuries that will prove that history He never sleeps.
What happened on May 9th? Major events in history
1502 – Christopher Columbus embarked on his last trip to the New World
On that day, Christopher Columbus began his fourth and final expedition for the ocean. Although his first voyages changed the face of the world, this journey ended in failure – Columbus sought a passage to Asia and did not find it. Nevertheless, the expedition confirmed that the New World is not an island, but a huge continent. It's the symbolic end of an age of explorer who changed the history of humanity.
1671 – Spectacular theft Crown jewels from Tower of London
Thomas Blood, an Irish brawler, made one of the most bold thefts in England's history – stole crown jewels stored in the London Tower. Surprisingly, instead of life imprisonment, King Charles II pardoned him and granted him his salary. Historians are still arguing whether the ruler was involved. This day in history He enrolled as one of the greatest mysteries of the British monarchy.
1793 – First execution of death sentences on traitors of the Republic of Poland
During the Kosciuszko Insurrection, in 1794, Warsaw witnessed the execution of the leaders of the trade union. Four prominent traitors were hanged on the gallows: Józef Ankwicz, Bishop Józef Kazimierz Kossakowski, Grand Crown Hetman Piotr Ożarowski and the Field Hetman Józef Zabieło. The Targovians defied their homeland by calling on Russia to intervene against the Constitution of 3 May. For many Poles executions were an act of historical justice, late but symbolic.
1950 – Schuman Declaration and the Birth of a United Europe
On that day, French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman presented a plan to create a European Coal and Steel Community. The proposal, known today as the Schuman Declaration, launched a process of European integration which led to the creation of the European Union. That is why 9 May is celebrated as Europe Day – one of the most important holidays on the EU calendar. It's hard to get better proof of how one day in history can weigh on the fate of hundreds of millions of people.
1960 – The first birth control tablet goes to the pharmacy
On May 9, 1960, American pharmacies began selling Enovid—the world's first birth control pill. This event started a social and moral revolution, changing the position of women, a family model and a demography of the entire Western world. No drug in medical history has caused such a profound cultural change in such a short time. The historical calendar rarely records inventions equally perverse and far-reaching in effect.
1962 – The Beatles sign the first record contract
Before Liverpool conquered the world, The Beatles had to endure further refusals. On May 9, 1962, the band, rejected by other labels, signed their first contract – with Parlophone label, led by George Martin. A year later, Love Me Do started a global beatlemania. If it wasn't for that decision, history popular music could go completely differently.
1987 – LOT plane crash in Kaback Forest
This is one of the most tragic aviation disasters in Poland's history. May 9, 1987 aeroplane PLL LOT Il-62M called "Tadeusz Kościuszko", flying to New York City, crashed in the Kaback Forest near Warsaw during an emergency landing attempt. 183 people were killed – 172 passengers and 11 crew members. The cause of the crash was fire engine. The tragedy shook all of Poland and put a long strain on the image of Polish aviation.
1978 – Body of Aldo Moro found in Rome
After 55 days of detention, former Italian Prime Minister Aldo Moro was murdered by terrorists from the Red Brigade organization. His body was found on May 9, 1978 in the trunk of a car parked in the centre of Rome – a symbolic place, halfway between the headquarters of the Chadecka and Communist party. The murder shook Italian society and became a symbol of the democratic state's crisis against terrorist extremism.
1573 – The first free election in Poland selected a king
In the village of Stone near Warsaw, the collection of votes in Poland's first free election – one of the most important systemic events of the Republic – ended. The nobles chose Henry Walez as King, a Frenchman who, however, quickly abandoned the throne and fled to France after the death of his brother. Free election became a showcase of Polish noble democracy, although in time it also proved to be her curse. This day in history opened a chapter that lasted over 200 years.
1974 – The Richard Nixon impeachment process has begun
On May 9, 1974, hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon, accused in connection with the Watergate affair, formally began in the United States Congress. A few months later, Nixon was the first and only president of the United States to resign. The Watergate affair became synonymous with corruption and abuse of power, and the word "gate" itself – a suffix added to every political scandal in the world.
Born 9 May
John Brown (1800) – amerykański abolicjonista, jeden z najbardziej radykalnych bojowników o zniesienie niewolnictwa w historii USA, który zginął na szubienicy po nieudanym powstaniu w Harper’s Ferry.
Howard Carter (1874) – brytyjski archeolog i egiptolog, odkrywca grobowca Tutanchamona w Dolinie Królów w 1922 roku, jedno z największych znalezisk archeologicznych wszech czasów.
Billy Joel (1949) – amerykański piosenkarz i kompozytor, autor takich przebojów jak „Piano Man” czy „We Didn’t Start the Fire”, jeden z najlepiej sprzedających się artystów muzycznych w historii.
José Ortega y Gasset (1883) – wybitny hiszpański filozof i eseista, autor „Buntu mas”, dzieła które do dziś jest lekturą obowiązkową dla każdego, kto chce rozumieć współczesną kulturę Zachodu.
Sophie Scholl (1921) – niemiecka działaczka antynazistowska, współzałożycielka ruchu oporu „Biała Róża”, aresztowana przez gestapo i stracona w wieku zaledwie 21 lat – symbol odwagi cywilnej w czasach totalitaryzmu.
World events
1386 – Traktat Windsorski – Anglia i Portugalia zawarły sojusz, który przetrwał do dziś i jest najstarszym obowiązującym traktatem międzynarodowym na świecie.
1877 – Niepodległość Rumunii – Rumunia ogłosiła niepodległość od Imperium Osmańskiego, co zapoczątkowało nowy rozdział w historii Bałkanów.
1893 – Pokaz kinetoskopu Edisona – Thomas Alva Edison po raz pierwszy publicznie zaprezentował kinetoskop, urządzenie będące bezpośrednim poprzednikiem kina.
1955 – RFN wstępuje do NATO – Zaledwie dekadę po zakończeniu II wojny światowej Germany Zachodnie zostały przyjęte do Sojuszu Północnoatlantyckiego, co radykalnie zmieniło układ sił w Europie.
2003 – Start sondy Hayabusa – Japan wysłała w kosmos sondę Hayabusa, która dwa lata później jako pierwsza w historii wylądowała na asteroidzie Itokawa i pobrała z niej próbki.
9 maja to data, która wyraźnie pokazuje, jak gęsto utkana jest sieć wydarzeń składających się na naszą cywilizację – od narodzin idei zjednoczonej Europy, przez kryminalne sensacje w Tower of London, aż po traktat sojuszniczy liczący sobie ponad sześć wieków. Przeglądając co wydarzyło się tego dnia w historii, można odnieść wrażenie, że ten jeden dzień skrywa w sobie całe muzeum ludzkich losów, triumfów i tragedii. Zajrzyjcie tu jutro – bo 10 maja historia ma do opowiedzenia równie wiele.
