Fact 1: The Start of Barbie's Legacy
You may have played with Barbie dolls during your childhood days, but you probably don't know that March 9, 1959 marks the official birthday of the Barbie doll. She made her debut at the American International Toy Fair in New York, manufactured by American toy company Mattel, Inc. Thus, Barbie lovers around the world celebrate March 9th as National Barbie Day.
Fact 2: French Significant Event
March 9, 1796 was the day when one of history's most influential and notorious figures, Napoleon Bonaparte, married his first wife, Josephine de Beauharnais, who immensely helped him climb the ladder of power.
Fact 3: A Day for Panic?
The first National Panic Day, hosted by Thomas and Ruth Roy of wellcat.com, ironically, is celebrated on March 9. It is a day for people to let out their frustrations and pent-up emotions in a fun and harmless way.
Fact 4: Significant Sports Beginnings
March 9, 1910, witnessed the birth of professional football in England. The Football League was established, making it the oldest football league in the world. The game has since grown into a global phenomenon.
Fact 5: First Woman Astronaut in Space
March 9 holds a significant place in history as on this day in 1934, Yuri Gagarin, the first human to journey into outer space, was born. Conversely, it marks the birth in 1964 of Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman to venture into space, paving the way for gender equality in space travel.
Fact 6: Commemorating the End of Slavery
On March 9, 1841, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Africans who had seized control of the ship La Amistad had been illegally enslaved, thus securing their freedom. This case marked a significant victory against slavery.
Fact 7: An Architectural Wonder
The groundbreaking ceremony for the world-famous Sydney Harbor Bridge in Australia took place on March 9, 1923. It is today one of the most iconic structures in the region.
Fact 8: A Day of Unique and Unusual Holidays
Other than National Barbie Day and National Panic Day, March 9 also sees other peculiar celebrations like Meatball Day and Crabmeat Day!
Fact 9: The Right to Vote for Commonwealth Women
In the dawn of women's rights, March 9, 1922, saw the Commonwealth Franchise Act receiving Royal Assent in Australia, granting Australian women the right to vote at a federal level and stand for the Federal Parliament.
Fact 10: Inception of Off-Broadway Theater
Bargaintown, an off-Broadway theater, performed its first revue on March 9, 1950, at The Master Theatre, officially marking the origin of the off-Broadway movement.
Fact 11: A Boost for Indian Sports
The Indian National Games were held for the first time on March 9, 1940, providing a significant boost to sports in the country.
Fact 12: A Quantum Leap in Computing
On March 9, 1999, "quantum" computing was first publicly demonstrated by researchers at IBM's Almaden Research Center.
Fact 13: A Big Day for the Big Apple
On March 9, 2006, the Statue of Liberty, one of the world's most recognizable landmarks, was reopened to the public after extensive renovations.
Fact 14: The Launch of The Camp David Accords
March 9, 1978, marked the beginning of discussions that led to the Camp David Accords, a series of landmark agreements between Egypt and Israel.
Fact 15: An Iconic Day for Disney
The animated Disney movie "Cinderella" was released on March 9, 1950. It went on to become one of the studio's most beloved classics.
Fact 16: A Day for Narrow Tracks
The first narrow-gauge mainline steam locomotive was completed on March 9, 1856. A narrow-gauge railway minimizes the costs of building, making it possible in mountainous terrain.
Fact 17: A Deadly Snowstorm
One of the deadliest snowstorms in history, The Great Blizzard of 1959, began in North Dakota on March 9, eventually covering several states in snow and causing several deaths.
Fact 18: The End of a Conflict
The Battle of Hampton Roads, one of the most significant naval battles of the American Civil War, ended on March 9, 1862.
Fact 19: The Drafting of a Pioneering Document
A major milestone for European cooperation, the Treaty of Rome, was first drafted on March 9, 1957.
Fact 20: An Inspiring Birth Date
March 9 marks the birth of several influential figures, including the father of modern yoga, Sri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya (born in 1888), and famed literary figure Vita Sackville-West (born in 1892).