February 9 in History

Significant events that happened on this day.

Today

Historical Events

2001

The nuclear submarine USS Greeneville accidentally sank a Japanese fishing boat, killing nine people

During a demonstration for civilian visitors off Hawaii, the submarine performed an emergency surfacing drill and struck the Ehime Maru. The accident...

1971

Apollo 14 astronauts Alan Shepard hit two golf balls on the Moon

Shepard smuggled a makeshift six-iron head aboard and attached it to a sample collection tool. Due to his bulky spacesuit, he could only swing with on...

1969

The Boeing 747 jumbo jet made its maiden flight, revolutionizing air travel forever

Major

The massive four-engine aircraft could carry twice as many passengers as any previous plane. Nicknamed the 'Queen of the Skies', it dominated long-dis...

1964

The heaviest recorded hailstone in Australia fell in Horsham, Victoria, weighing 2.2 pounds

The massive ice chunk measured nearly 4 inches in diameter and caused significant damage. Witnesses described the hailstorm as terrifying, with stones...

1964

The Beatles made their first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, watched by 73 million Americans

Major

This performance marked the beginning of Beatlemania in America and is considered one of the most-watched television events in history. The Fab Four p...

1950

Senator Joseph McCarthy claimed to have a list of 205 communists working in the U.S. State Department

Major

This speech in Wheeling, West Virginia launched the McCarthy era and the Second Red Scare. McCarthy's aggressive tactics and unsubstantiated accusatio...

1945

William Thomas Walsh was born, who would later become famous as Joe Walsh of the Eagles

The legendary rock guitarist and singer would go on to write classics like 'Life's Been Good' and 'Rocky Mountain Way'. He joined the Eagles in 1975 a...

1943

World War II's Battle of Guadalcanal ended with a decisive Allied victory

Major

After six months of brutal fighting, Japanese forces evacuated the island, marking the first major land victory for the Allies in the Pacific. Over 7,...

1942

Daylight saving time went into effect year-round in the United States during World War II

Called 'War Time', this measure was implemented to conserve energy for the war effort. Clocks were moved forward one hour and stayed that way until Se...

1910

The Boy Scouts of America was incorporated, becoming the largest youth organization in the country

Businessman William Boyce founded the organization after being helped by a Boy Scout in London who refused a tip. The movement grew rapidly, reaching...

1895

Volleyball was invented by William G. Morgan in Massachusetts as a gentler alternative to basketball

Originally called 'Mintonette', the sport was designed for older businessmen who found basketball too vigorous. Morgan combined elements of basketball...

1870

The U.S. Weather Bureau was established to provide weather forecasts and warnings

Originally part of the Army Signal Service, it was created to help prevent maritime disasters. The first weather report was issued just one day later....

1825

The House of Representatives elected John Quincy Adams as president after no candidate won the Electoral College

Major

Despite Andrew Jackson winning both the popular vote and the most electoral votes, Adams became the sixth president through a controversial House vote...