On This Day - December 9th
Out of all of the days in December, we think the 9th tends to get overlooked a lot. It may not seem like a big day to you, but believe us, that is far from being the case. December 9th has meant and continues to mean a great deal to people all over the world. Here’s why.
On this day
General Belisarius landed in Rome
In 536, Byzantine General Belisarius entered Rome while the Ostrogothic garrison peacefully left the city. In doing so, they returned the old capital to its empire.
The Battle of Marj Ardabil took place
In 730, the Battle of Marj Ardabil took place. The Turkic Khazar army was led by Barjik. The army defeated the Umayyad force, with 20,000 killed including general al-Jarrah ibn Abdallah, whose head was then mounted on a throne.
The world got a glimpse of going online for the first time
On this day back in 1968, Douglas Engelbart showed a captive audience in San Francisco the incredible NLS, or oN-Line System. This was a genuine showcase where people got to see working computer mice, video conferencing, word processing, and linking for the very first time. While the home computer wouldn’t be a big deal until at least the 1980s, it all started here – and, of course, by the 1990s, the internet brought a twist on this system to the public.
The US landed in Somalia
On this day back in 1992, Mogadishu in Somalia was descended on by US marines and associated forces – with the aim to help restore peace to the nation, as it was torn apart by war. The operation was fully authorized by the UN, with Resolution 794 having passed through the Security Council on December 3rd.
New York’s first newspaper was established
In 1793, Noah Webster established New York’s first ever daily newspaper. It was, of course, the "American Minerva”.
Special Days Falling on December 9th
Although we tend to want to focus on celebrating in December, it’s also important to remember important historical events, and current events that are still affecting people around the world today. Here are some of the most important events to consider today.
Genocide Prevention Day
In Australia, December 9th is Genocide Prevention Day. Genocide is something that has affected countries all over the world, and Australia is no exception. Today, we remember those affected by genocide, and we take the time to look into those still affected by it today, and what we can all do to help prevent it.
International Anti-Corruption Day
Marked on a global scale, Anti-Corruption Day seeks to help raise awareness of corruption in both politics and in the corporate world. While many people might not be able to do much individually to stop corruption at large, today’s a great occasion to learn more about when and how we can speak out about seemingly shady practices behind the scenes. The UN supports this day to help people understand what they can do to help make society a less corrupt place.
International Day of Veterinary Medicine
Again, for people all over the world, December 9th is also International Day of Veterinary Medicine. The day recognizes the important work done by organizations and vets all over the world in their strive to protect animals, and their welfare.
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This page was last modified on December 6, 2023. Suggest an edit
This month in history
In December 1919, as the Romanov dynasty in Russia was approaching its end, the infamous monk – Rasputin – was successfully assassinated. We say “successfully,” simply because there were many attempts made to try and take his life – he was poisoned and shot, and didn’t die! Therefore, his captors tied him up and cast his body into the Neva River, where he eventually died by drowning.
Famous Birthdays on December 9th
If you were born on December 9th…
…you’re a Sagittarius! You’re strong, smart, and very funny. In fact, you tend to be the funniest one in the room, and, luckily, you like letting it show!
Learn more about yourself from our Sagittarius facts page!
