Fact 1: Celebrating Elvis Presley’s Birthday
January 9th is a big day in the world of music as it marks the birthday of the legend, Elvis Presley. Born in 1935, Presley would have celebrated his 86th birthday in 2021. He is considered one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century and is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "The King".
Fact 2: Richard Nixon's Farewell Speech
January 9th 1984 marks the day Richard Nixon, the 37th President of the United States, gave his final formal address to the public, five months after resigning from office in the wake of the Watergate scandal.
Fact 3: The Start of the Spanish Civil War
Moving to a historical note, January 9th, 1939 marks the start of the Spanish Civil War when Barcelona fell to Franco's forces. It was a notable turning point in one of the most significant conflicts of the 20th century.
Fact 4: Flip Your Switch Day
Surprisingly, January 9th is also known as Flip Your Switch Day. Celebrated primarily in the United States, it seeks to encourage people to make positive changes in their life, symbolized by the act of flipping a switch.
Fact 5: The Smithsonian Institution
On January 9th, 1846, the establishment of the Smithsonian Institution was authorized. It would become the largest museum in the world, holding over 158 million items in its collection.
Fact 6: Victory Day in Iraq
In Iraq, January 9th is celebrated as Victory Day, marking the end of Operation Desert Storm in 1991. The holiday is a national observance in Iraq and honours the military victory over U.S. forces.
Fact 7: First Female Governor in the US
January 9th is an important date for women’s rights in the U.S as it marks when the first female governor, Nellie Tayloe Ross, assumed her role in Wyoming on this day in 1925.
Fact 8: The Release of the First Beatles Album
Music history was made on January 9th, 1962, when the Beatles released their first album "Please Please Me" in the UK, launching a new era in music.
Fact 9: Word Nerd Day
January 9th is celebrated by word enthusiasts as Word Nerd Day. It's a day for crossword puzzles, anagrams, and all kinds of word games, celebrating the joy of language and learning.
Fact 10: The Ship Mary Celeste
In a morbid turn, January 9th, 1885 marks when the infamous ship, Mary Celeste, was deliberately wrecked off the coast of Haiti. The ship is known for the mysterious disappearance of its crew, and remains one of the biggest maritime mysteries to date.
Fact 11: Birth of Simone de Beauvoir
January 9th is also the birthday of the acclaimed French author and philosopher, Simone de Beauvoir. Born in 1908, Beauvoir played a significant role in the feminist movement with her groundbreaking book, 'The Second Sex'.
Fact 12: Establishment of the British Museum
One more for the history buffs, January 9th, 1753 is when the British Museum was established by an act of parliament, becoming one of the world's oldest and most comprehensive museums.
Fact 13: Execution of Che Guevara
January 9th, 1957 marks the day Che Guevara — Cuban revolutionary and symbol of rebellion — was executed in Bolivia at the hands of the Bolivian army.
Fact 14: National Apricot Day
For fruit lovers, January 9th is a day of celebration as it marks National Apricot Day in the United States.
Fact 15: Capital Punishment Abolished in Australia
In a notable move towards human rights, January 9th, 1967 is the day when capital punishment was abolished in Australia.
Fact 16: Release of Star Wars: Episode VII
For movie lovers, January 9th, 2015 is a date to remember. It marks the release day of "Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens."
Fact 17: The Debut of Baywatch
On the lighter side of pop culture, January 9th, 1989 marked the debut of "Baywatch", one of the most watched television shows in history, boosting the careers of actors like David Hasselhoff and Pamela Anderson.
Fact 18: Kathryn Grayson's Birthday
Acclaimed Hollywood actress and singer, Kathryn Grayson, was born on January 9th, 1922. Grayson was known for her roles in Broadway musicals and movies including Show Boat and Kiss Me Kate.
Fact19: National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
January 9th is National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day in the United States, where citizens are encouraged to show their support for police officers and other law enforcement personnel.
Fact 20: Russian Christmas
As an interesting twist to end with, in many Orthodox Christian churches in Russia, Christmas is celebrated on January 7th and the festivities last until January 9th. It is the conclusion of a festive period that starts in mid-December.