December 9th: All Facts & Events That Happened Today In History

HISTORICAL EVENTS:

• 1905: The first ever Nobel Prizes are awarded in Stockholm, Sweden.
• 1946: The “Subsequent Nuremberg Trials” end, marking the completion of the Nuremberg Trials against Nazi war criminals.
• 1965: A Charlie Brown Christmas, the first Peanuts animated special, airs on CBS.
• 1990: Lech Walesa is elected President of Poland, becoming the first popularly elected president in the country’s history.
• 2008: Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich is arrested for corruption, including an alleged attempt to sell the US Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.

SCIENTIFIC BREAKTHROUGHS:

• 1848: French physicist Louis Pasteur is born. He would go on to make significant contributions to the understanding of microbiology and the development of vaccination.
• 1979: The first successful gene therapy is performed on a human patient, targeting a genetic disorder called adenosine deaminase deficiency.
• 1992: The US space shuttle Endeavour launches on its maiden flight, carrying the first African-American woman, Mae Jemison, into space.
• 2008: The Large Hadron Collider at CERN in Switzerland successfully completes its first full-scale test operation, marking a major milestone in particle physics.
• 2013: Scientists at the University of Cambridge announce the successful production of artificial eggs from stem cells, potentially opening new avenues for fertility treatments.

POLITICAL MILESTONES:

• 1952: The United States and the United Kingdom sign the Mutual Defense Assistance Agreement, marking a significant step in post-World War II military cooperation.
• 1987: The first Palestinian intifada (uprising) against Israeli occupation begins in the Gaza Strip and West Bank.
• 1990: The first democratic elections in Croatia are held, leading to the end of communist rule and the establishment of a multiparty system.
• 2012: Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party, led by Shinzo Abe, wins a landslide victory in the general elections, paving the way for Abe to become Prime Minister for the second time.
• 2015: The Paris Agreement on climate change is adopted by representatives of 196 parties at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21).

CULTURAL EVENTS:

• 1793: Noah Webster publishes his first edition of the American Dictionary of the English Language, laying the foundations for standardized American English.
• 1960: The first episode of the long-running soap opera Coronation Street is broadcast on British television.
• 1989: The animated television series The Simpsons premieres on Fox, becoming one of the most iconic and longest-running television shows in history.
• 2005: The movie Brokeback Mountain, directed by Ang Lee, is released, opening up discussions about LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream cinema.
• 2013: The song “Royals” by New Zealand singer-songwriter Lorde reaches number one on the Billboard Hot 100, launching her career to international success.

BIRTHS:

• 1608: John Milton, English poet and author, known for his epic poem Paradise Lost.
• 1934: Judi Dench, English actress, known for her roles in the James Bond movies and Shakespearean adaptations.
• 1962: Felicity Huffman, American actress, known for her role in the television series Desperate Housewives.
• 1981: Dia Mirza, Indian actress, model, and beauty queen, known for her works in Bollywood and environmental activism.
• 1996: McKayla Maroney, American artistic gymnast and Olympic gold medalist.

NOTABLE DEATHS:

• 1608: Andrea Amati, Italian luthier, credited with creating the first precursor of the modern violin.
• 1851: William Henry Harrison, 9th President of the United States, serving the shortest tenure in presidential history.
• 1940: Karel ?apek, Czech writer, best known for his science fiction play R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots), which introduced the concept of “robot.”
• 1980: John Lennon, English musician, singer, and songwriter, best known as a member of the Beatles.
• 2003: Hope Lange, American actress, known for her roles in The Ghost and Mrs. Muir and Peyton Place.

Conclusion

December 9th has witnessed significant historical events, scientific breakthroughs, political milestones, cultural events, and notable births and deaths throughout history. It is a day that has shaped our world and left lasting impacts in various fields.

FAQs

Q: What are the Nobel Prizes?

A: The Nobel Prizes are prestigious international awards granted annually in several categories, including physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, peace, and economic sciences. They were established by the will of Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel in 1895.

Q: Who was the first African-American woman in space?

A: Mae Jemison became the first African-American woman to travel into space on September 12, 1992, aboard the space shuttle Endeavour.

Q: What was the Nuremberg Trials?

A: The Nuremberg Trials were a series of military tribunals held after World War II to prosecute prominent leaders of Nazi Germany for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.

Q: Who is John Milton?

A: John Milton was an English poet and author who is best known for his epic poem Paradise Lost, considered one of the greatest works in English literature.

Q: What is the Paris Agreement?

A: The Paris Agreement is an international treaty within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, aiming to limit global warming by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting climate resilience.