On this day: January 9
On this day, January 9, several important events took place throughout history. Let’s take a look at some of the significant occurrences that happened on this day:
1493 – The First Mass in the New World
On January 9, 1493, the first Mass in the New World was celebrated by Christopher Columbus and his crew on the island of Hispaniola (modern-day Dominican Republic and Haiti). This event marked the beginning of the spread of Christianity to the Americas.
1788 – Connecticut Ratifies the United States Constitution
On January 9, 1788, Connecticut became the fifth state to ratify the United States Constitution, joining Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Georgia. The ratification of the Constitution helped establish the framework for the federal government and set the stage for the formation of the United States as a unified nation.
1793 – The First Hot Air Balloon Flight in the United States
On January 9, 1793, French aeronaut Jean-Pierre Blanchard made the first successful hot air balloon flight in the United States. Blanchard took off from Philadelphia and landed in Woodbury, New Jersey, marking the beginning of the era of balloon aviation in America.
1861 – Mississippi Secedes from the Union
On January 9, 1861, Mississippi became the second state to secede from the Union, following South Carolina’s lead. The secession of Mississippi was a key event that led to the outbreak of the American Civil War later that year.
1916 – The Battle of Gallipoli Ends
The Battle of Gallipoli, a major campaign of World War I fought on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey, ended on January 9, 1916. The campaign resulted in heavy casualties for both the Allied forces (including troops from Australia and New Zealand) and the Ottoman Empire, and is considered one of the most disastrous military campaigns of the war.
1945 – The Bombing of Tokyo
On January 9, 1945, during World War II, the United States launched a major air raid on Tokyo, Japan. The bombing, which lasted for over two hours, resulted in widespread destruction and the loss of thousands of lives. The raid was part of the Allied effort to weaken Japan’s military and bring an end to the war.
1964 – The Beatles Make Their First Appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show
On January 9, 1964, the Beatles made their first appearance on the popular American television show, The Ed Sullivan Show. The performance by the British rock band was watched by an estimated 73 million viewers, making it one of the most-watched television events in history and helping to launch the “British Invasion” of music in the United States.
2007 – Apple Introduces the iPhone
On January 9, 2007, Apple Inc. introduced the first iPhone, a revolutionary smartphone that would change the way people communicate, work, and access information. The iPhone quickly became a cultural phenomenon and set the standard for modern smartphones, paving the way for the mobile device revolution that continues to this day.
These are just a few of the many significant events that have taken place on January 9 throughout history. Each of these events has had a lasting impact on the world in its own way, shaping the course of history and influencing the way we live today.
