37 fun facts for July, 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
July 9th is a day filled with historic events, notable figures' birthdays, and multiple celebrations the world over. From Argentina's independence, the annexation of Hawaii, and the founding of the African Union, to National Sugar Cookie Day in the U.S., and the birthdays of Nikola Tesla, Tom Hanks, and David Hockney, July 9th offers a diverse range of fun facts to explore.
37 Fun facts
  1. Argentina declared its independence from Spain on July 9, 1816. After a prolonged struggle against Spanish colonial rule, the country's leaders approved a document that formalized their sovereignty and established the United Provinces of South America.
  2. The United States officially annexed Hawaii on July 9, 1898, following the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii. The annexation set the stage for Hawaii to later become the 50th state in the United States in 1959.
  3. On July 9, 1960, the famous Chinese opera singer and actress, Zhou Xuan, passed away. At the age of just 39, her life and career were tragically cut short, but she remains a beloved figure in Chinese culture.
  4. On July 9, 1945, American baseball legend Joe DiMaggio hit his 20th home run of the season. He would continue to add more runs to his record until he retired in 1951, with a total of 361 home runs in his impressive career.
  5. On July 9, 1981, Donkey Kong was released in Japan. This popular game marked the first appearance of the iconic video game character Mario and launched the successful careers of both the game's creator, Shigeru Miyamoto, and Nintendo.
  6. The Beatles’ first-ever single, “Love Me Do,” was recorded on July 9, 1962. This song marked the beginning of a legendary career that spanned over a decade and produced many groundbreaking hits.
  7. National Sugar Cookie Day is celebrated in the United States on July 9th. This sweet treat has been enjoyed for centuries and is often made to celebrate various holidays and events.
  8. Born on July 9, 1937, David Hockney is an influential British painter, printmaker, and photographer. Hockney became a key figure in the 1960s pop art movement and has continued to contribute to contemporary art throughout his career.
  9. On July 9, 1982, the Pan Am Flight 759 crashed in Kenner, Louisiana, killing all 145 passengers and crew members on board, as well as eight people on the ground. This tragedy was the deadliest aviation accident in the history of Louisiana.
  10. On July 9, 1947, the British government announced the engagement of Princess Elizabeth and Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten. The couple married in November of that year, and they became the future Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
  11. Famous American actor Tom Hanks was born on July 9, 1956. Hanks is a multiple Oscar-winning actor known for his roles in popular films like "Forrest Gump," "Philadelphia," and "Saving Private Ryan."
  12. On July 9, 1962, the United States conducted the Starfish Prime nuclear test in space, which resulted in an unexpected electromagnetic pulse effect. The event highlighted the potential impacts of nuclear warfare on space infrastructure and ushered in further research on space defense capabilities.
  13. On July 9, 1715, the American philanthropist and educator, Ephraim Williams Jr., was born. Williams left his estate to fund the establishment of Williams College, which is now a highly ranked liberal arts college in Massachusetts.
  14. July 9th marks Nunavut Day in Canada. It's a public holiday celebrated in the territory of Nunavut as a way to commemorate the 1993 signing of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, which led to the creation of the territory in 1999.
  15. On July 9, 1877, the first Wimbledon tennis championship was held in London. The prestigious tournament has been held annually ever since and is considered one of the most prestigious events in the sport of tennis.
  16. On July 9, 2007, Peruvian mathematician Harald Helfgott fully proved Goldbach's Ternary Conjecture, a mathematical theory originating from 1742. Helfgott's proof attracted significant attention among mathematicians and the wider public.
  17. On July 9, 1955, the Russell-Einstein Manifesto was publicly released. Drafted by philosopher Bertrand Russell and signed by 11 prominent intellectuals and scientists, the manifesto called for nuclear disarmament and peaceful conflict resolution.
  18. July 9th is known as Constitution Day in Australia, commemorating the signing of the Australian constitution in 1900. The date is not a public holiday, but it is recognized as an important day in the country's history.
  19. On July 9, 1979, Voyager 2, a spacecraft launched by NASA to study the outer planets of the Solar System, made its closest approach to Jupiter. The probe was the first to visit all four of the gas giants and their moons, providing groundbreaking insights into their composition and atmospheres.
  20. On July 9, 2002, the African Union, a continental union with a goal to promote unity and cooperation among African nations, was founded. The African Union has since played an essential role in fostering economic and political cooperation on the continent.
  21. On July 9, 1850, President Zachary Taylor died in office, making him the second U.S. president to die while serving. Taylor's untimely death marks a solemn moment in American history.
  22. In South Sudan, July 9th is observed as Independence Day. On this day in 2011, the country gained independence from Sudan, becoming the youngest nation in the world.
  23. Born on July 9, 1764, Ann Radcliffe was an English author known for her gothic novels, which laid the foundation for the gothic fiction genre. Radcliffe's stories are still celebrated today and influenced authors such as Jane Austen and Edgar Allan Poe.
  24. On July 9, 1875, the first official game of rugby was played in New Zealand. Today, rugby is one of the country's most popular and widely-played sports, a testament to the impact of this historic event.
  25. Inventor and businessman, Nikola Tesla, was born on July 9, 1856. Tesla's groundbreaking work in electrical engineering and electromagnetism led to many revolutionary inventions, including the development of alternating current (AC) electrical systems and the Tesla coil.
  26. July 9th, 1948 marked the first recorded use of the term "rock and roll" by influential disc jockey Alan Freed. This milestone led to the widespread popularization of the genre and its continued impact on music and culture.
  27. On July 9, 1868, the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified. The amendment granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, including former slaves, and provided equal protection under the law.
  28. On July 9, 1951, the groundbreaking family sitcom “I Love Lucy” began production. Starring Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, the show quickly became a television phenomenon and forever changed the landscape of television comedy.
  29. Born on July 9, 1938, Brian Dennehy was an esteemed American actor known for his roles in films such as "First Blood," "Cocoon," and "Presumed Innocent." Dennehy enjoyed a career that spanned over four decades in the entertainment industry.
  30. July 9th marks the Feast Day of Saints Augustine Zhao Rong and his companions in the Roman Catholic Church. This group of Chinese martyrs who died between 1648 and 1930 is celebrated each year for their faith and courage.
  31. On July 9, 1968, the Monkees released their successful film "Head." Written by Jack Nicholson, the audacious movie provided a departure from the band's clean-cut image and has since become a cult classic.
  32. On July 9, 2011, the United States women's soccer team narrowly defeated Brazil in the quarterfinals of the FIFA Women's World Cup. The match went into a penalty shootout and remains one of the most memorable and thrilling moments in women's soccer history.
  33. In 2013, legendary pakour (free-running) athlete Damien Walters completed a blind backflip over a speeding Formula E racing car on July 9. The daring stunt quickly went viral, garnering significant publicity for both Walters and the sport of parkour.
  34. Belgian National Day falls on July 9, commemorating the installation of King Leopold I on this day in 1831. The holiday marks a significant occasion in the country's history and is celebrated with patriotic displays and festivities.
  35. On July 9, 1808, the Roswell UFO Incident took place in Roswell, New Mexico. Although the US military claimed that a weather balloon crash-landed, many conspiracy theories maintain that an extraterrestrial craft was recovered, leading to decades of debate and fascination.
  36. The Russian inventor, Mikhail Kalashnikov, patented the AK-47 assault rifle on July 9, 1947. Since then, the rifle has become one of the most iconic and widely-used firearms in the world, with millions produced over the years.
  37. July 9 is the date of the Martyrdom of the Báb, a holy day celebrated by members of the Bahá'í faith. This day commemorates the execution of the Báb, who was one of the central figures of the Bahá'í religion, in 1850.

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