32 fun facts for April, 9

Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
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Summary
April 9th is a day filled with numerous significant historical events, ranging from the opening of the first public library in the United States to the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway. The day is also celebrated around the world with various National and International Days, including National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day, National Name Yourself Day, and National Unicorn Day in the United Kingdom.
32 Fun facts
  1. In 1833, Peterborough, New Hampshire, opened the first municipally-funded public library in the United States. This marked a significant moment in the promotion of literacy and accessible knowledge for all.
  2. April 9 is celebrated as National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day in the United States. The purpose of this day is to acknowledge the sacrifices made by those who were held captive during times of conflict.
  3. The United States Senate passed the Civil Rights Bill by a vote of 71 to 29 in 1866. This bill aimed to protect the civil rights of African-Americans after the Civil War and was the first significant legislation supporting civil rights in American history.
  4. In 1865, Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court House, effectively ending the American Civil War. This historic event marked the conclusion of one of the most impactful wars in United States history.
  5. The world's first recorded game of baseball took place on April 9, 1842. The game was played in Elysian Fields, New Jersey, and was between the New York Mutuals and the New York Yankees.
  6. On April 9, 1939, African-American singer Marian Anderson performed at the Lincoln Memorial. She sang before a crowd of 75,000 people in an open-air concert after being denied entry to Constitution Hall by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) because of her race.
  7. In the United States, April 9th is National Name Yourself Day, a time set aside to celebrate one's chosen name or to explore alternative ones.
  8. The Canadian Pacific Railway was completed in 1881. This milestone on April 9th marked a significant moment in Canadian history, connecting the east and west coasts and helping to unite the country.
  9. On April 9, 1967, the first Boeing 737 took off for its maiden voyage. This event marked a significant step in the world of commercial aviation and ushered in the era of the innovative and widely-used 737 aircraft.
  10. In the United Kingdom, April 9th is National Unicorn Day, which celebrates the mythical creature that holds a prominent place in Scottish folklore and as a national symbol.
  11. 1872 marked the establishment of the American Library Association (ALA) on April 9th, which helps to support libraries and library-related professionals in the United States.
  12. The first international rugby league match took place on April 9, 1904, between England and Other Nationalities in Central Park, Wigan, England. This marked a significant moment in the growth of the sport and its global expansion.
  13. April 9th, 1947, marked the invention of autocross, a form of motorsport that takes place on a closed circuit. The first autocross event was held at Silverstone Circuit in the United Kingdom.
  14. On April 9, 1887, George Washington Vanderbilt II began construction on his legendary Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. The estate, completed in 1895, is the largest privately-owned house in the United States.
  15. The world's first underground railway system, the London Underground, began operations on April 9, 1863, providing a vital mode of transportation for residents and reducing overground congestion in the city.
  16. Jack Johnson, the first black world heavyweight boxing champion, was born on April 9, 1878. His boxing career had a significant impact on the sport and race relations in the United States.
  17. In 1953, the first 3D film premiered at the Strand Theatre in New York City on April 9th. The movie, titled "Man in the Dark," was released by Columbia Pictures.
  18. On April 9, 1968, the funeral of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. took place. His death and subsequent funeral brought attention to the civil rights movement and its continued importance in American society.
  19. In 1926, the first successful test of a playable long-playing phonograph record (LP) was completed by Western Electric and Victor Record on April 9th.
  20. In 1935, Spainska, the first electric wireless telephone, was developed and demonstrated in Stockholm, Sweden, on April 9th.
  21. On April 9, 1965, the Astrodome, the world's first domed sports stadium, opened in Houston, Texas. The venue was considered a groundbreaking feat of engineering and design.
  22. In 1977, David Frost conducted the first of his famous interviews with former President Richard Nixon, broadcast on April 9th. This event marked a significant moment in television journalism and the exploration of political scandal.
  23. The first season of the popular reality television show "Survivor" premiered on April 9, 2000, inspiring many similar programs and shifting the landscape of television entertainment.
  24. In 2009, April 9th was marked as the day when the United States' tallest building, the 104-story One World Trade Center, took the title from Chicago's Willis Tower.
  25. In 2005, Prince Charles married Camilla Parker Bowles on April 9th, a significant moment in the British royal family's history.
  26. April 9th is celebrated as National Gin and Tonic Day in the United States, focusing on the enjoyment of a classic cocktail made of gin and tonic water.
  27. On April 9, 1860, Édouard-Léon Scott de Martinville made the first known sound recording. He recorded the French folk song "Au Clair de la Lune" using a phonautograph.
  28. In 1914, the first motion picture color test (Kinecolor) was shown to the American Institute of Mining Engineers in Carnegie Hall, New York City on April 9th.
  29. On April 9th, 2012, the European Space Agency's Mars Express probe detected evidence of liquid water beneath the planet's surface, further sparking conversation and research around the possibility of life on Mars.
  30. April 9th, 2021, SpaceX launched the Crew-2 mission. This mission marked another milestone in the commercial crew program and the first time astronauts had been sent to space on a reused spacecraft.
  31. In 1959, NASA announced the first group of astronauts, known as the Mercury Seven, on April 9th, shaping the future of the U.S. space program and exciting the nation with the potential of space exploration.
  32. On April 9, 2020, the world united in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the iconic Beatles break-up, commemorating the legendary band's legacy and impact on popular music.

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