Summary of the Day ✨ 9 March (09/03)
In a day marked by tragedy and historic decisions, Hamburg, Germany experienced a deadly shooting while Italy implemented the world’s first nationwide COVID-19 lockdown, and Argentina mourned the loss of 10 people including French athletes in a helicopter collision. Meanwhile, El Salvador saw a truce take effect between the government and gangs as the Space Shuttle Discovery concluded its historic 39-flight career with a final landing.
Historical Events 📜
- 2023: A shooting in the Alsterdorf quarter of Hamburg, Germany, kills eight people and injures another eight.
- 2020: Giuseppe Conte, Prime Minister of Italy, announces in a televised address and signs the decree imposing the first nationwide COVID-19 lockdown in the world.
- 2015: Two Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil helicopters collide in mid-air over Villa Castelli, Argentina, killing all 10 people on board both aircraft, including French athletes Florence Arthaud, Camille Muffat and Alexis Vastine, as well as producers and guests for the French TV show Dropped.
- 2012: A truce between the Salvadoran government and gangs in the country goes into effect when 30 gang leaders are transferred to lower security prisons.
- 2011: Space Shuttle Discovery makes its final landing after 39 flights.
- 2000: Nupedia, a multi-language online encyclopedia, is launched.
- 1997: Comet Hale–Bopp: Observers in China, Mongolia and eastern Siberia are treated to a rare double feature as an eclipse permits Hale-Bopp to be seen during the day.
- 1987: Chrysler announces its acquisition of American Motors Corporation.
- 1978: President Soeharto inaugurates Jagorawi Toll Road, the first toll highway in Indonesia, connecting Jakarta, Bogor and Ciawi, West Java.
- 1977: The Hanafi Siege: In a 39-hour standoff, armed Hanafi Muslims seize three Washington, D.C., buildings.
- 1976: Forty-two people die in the Cavalese cable car disaster, the deadliest cable car accident in history.
- 1974: The Mars 7 Flyby bus releases the descent module too early, missing Mars.
- 1967: Trans World Airlines Flight 553 crashes in a field in Concord Township, Ohio, following a mid-air collision with a Beechcraft Baron, killing 26 people.
- 1961: Sputnik 9 successfully launches, carrying a dog and a human dummy, and demonstrating that the Soviet Union was ready to begin human spaceflight.
- 1960: Dr. Belding Hibbard Scribner implants for the first time a shunt he invented into a patient, which allows the patient to receive hemodialysis on a regular basis.
Famous Births 👶
- 2003: Sunisa Lee, American gymnast
- 2002: Usman Garuba, Spanish basketball player
- 2001: Jeon Somi, South Korean-Canadian singer
- 2000: Khaby Lame, Senegalese-Italian social media personality
- 1999: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Finnish ice hockey player
- 1998: Najee Harris, American football running back
- 1997: Nadeo Argawinata, Indonesian footballer
- 1997: Chika, American rapper
- 1995: Cierra Ramirez, American actress and singer
- 1994: Morgan Rielly, Canadian ice hockey player
- 1993: George Baldock, Greek footballer (died 2024)
- 1993: Miikka Salomäki, Finnish ice hockey player
- 1993: Suga, South Korean rapper, songwriter and record producer
- 1991: Jooyoung, South Korean singer-songwriter
- 1990: Daley Blind, Dutch footballer
Notable Deaths 🕊️
- 2023: Chaim Topol, Israeli actor (born 1935)
- 2021: James Levine, American conductor and pianist (born 1943)
- 2021: Roger Mudd, American journalist (born 1928)
- 2020: John Bathersby, Australian Catholic bishop (born 1936)
- 2018: Jo Min-ki, Korean actor (born 1965)
- 2017: Howard Hodgkin, British painter (born 1932)
- 2016: Robert Horton, American actor (born 1924)
- 2016: Clyde Lovellette, American basketball player and coach (born 1929)
- 2015: James Molyneaux, Baron Molyneaux of Killead, Northern Irish soldier and politician (born 1920)
- 2013: Max Jakobson, Finnish journalist and diplomat (born 1923)
- 2013: Merton Simpson, American painter and art collector (born 1928)
- 2011: David S. Broder, American journalist and academic (born 1929)
- 2010: Willie Davis, American baseball player and manager (born 1940)
- 2010: Doris Haddock, American activist and politician (born 1910)
- 2010: Wilfy Rebimbus, Indian singer (born 1942)
Holidays & Observances 🎉
- Christian feast day:
Catherine of Bologna - Christian feast day:
Forty Martyrs of Sebaste - Christian feast day:
Frances of Rome - Christian feast day:
Pacian - Christian feast day:
Pope Cyril VI of Alexandria (Coptic Orthodox Church) - Christian feast day:
Gregory of Nyssa (Episcopal Church (United States)) - Christian feast day:
March 9 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) - Teachers’ Day or Eid Al Moalim (Lebanon)