On this day: March 9
March 9, 1916 – Pancho Villa Raid
On March 9, 1916, Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa led a raid on the town of Columbus, New Mexico. Villa and his men crossed the border from Mexico and attacked the town, killing several people and causing widespread destruction. The raid prompted the United States to send troops into Mexico in pursuit of Villa, marking the beginning of the Mexican Punitive Expedition.
March 9, 1959 – Barbie Doll Debuts
On March 9, 1959, the Barbie doll made its debut at the American International Toy Fair in New York City. Created by Ruth Handler, the co-founder of Mattel Inc., Barbie quickly became a cultural icon and one of the best-selling toys of all time. The doll was named after Handler’s daughter, Barbara, and has since gone on to inspire countless children around the world.
March 9, 1964 – The Beatles Appear on The Ed Sullivan Show
On March 9, 1964, The Beatles made their first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, performing to a record-breaking audience of over 73 million viewers. The British band’s performance on the popular American television show marked the beginning of “Beatlemania” in the United States and catapulted the band to international fame.
March 9, 1997 – The Notorious B.I.G. Killed
On March 9, 1997, rapper Christopher Wallace, also known as The Notorious B.I.G., was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles, California. The murder of the iconic hip-hop artist remains unsolved to this day, and has sparked numerous conspiracy theories and speculation about the motive behind his death.
March 9, 2011 – Japan Earthquake and Tsunami
On March 9, 2011, a massive 9.0 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Japan, triggering a devastating tsunami that caused widespread destruction and loss of life. The disaster led to the Fukushima nuclear meltdown, one of the worst nuclear accidents in history. The earthquake and tsunami had a profound impact on the people of Japan and the global community, sparking efforts to improve disaster preparedness and nuclear safety.
