Bang Clang Day
Bang-Clang Day is observed on March 9th every year to commemorate the Battle of Hampton Roads that took place during the Civil War in 1862. The battle is a historic one as it was the first to be fought between two ironclad ships. The Battle of Hampton Roads, also referred to as the Battle of the Monitor and Merrimack rebuilt and renamed as the CSS Virginia was fought over two days, March 8th and 9th at Hampton Roads.
Barbie Day
Barbie Day is celebrated on March 9th each year. It’s a day dedicated to honoring Barbie, the iconic fashion doll that was introduced by the American toy company Mattel in 1959. Barbie has become a cultural icon and is known for her diverse range of careers and styles. The day is an opportunity for fans to celebrate the impact Barbie has had on popular culture and the toy industry. Whether it’s collecting dolls, dressing them up, or reminiscing about childhood memories, Barbie Day allows enthusiasts to share their love for this iconic toy.
American Paddlefish Day
American Paddlefish Day is celebrated on March 9th each year. This day recognizes the American paddlefish (Polyodon spathula), an ancient freshwater species native to the rivers of North America. The paddlefish is known for its distinctive long, paddle-shaped rostrum (snout), which it uses to sense plankton in the water.
March 9th has seen some pretty wild and important moments throughout history.
Historical Events:
1841 – The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the Amistad case that African captives who had seized control of the ship were free individuals and not property.
1916 – Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa led a raid on Columbus, New Mexico, prompting a U.S. military response.
1933 – President Franklin D. Roosevelt submitted the Emergency Banking Act to Congress, which was passed the same day. It aimed to stabilize the banking system during the Great Depression.
1954 – Edward R. Murrow aired a critical report on Senator Joseph McCarthy on his news show See It Now, marking a turning point in public opinion against McCarthyism.
1959 – The first Barbie doll was introduced at the American International Toy Fair in New York. This marks the official birthday of Barbie.
1961 – The Soviet Union launched the Venera 1 spacecraft, the first mission aimed at another planet (Venus), though contact was lost en route.
Notable Birthdays
1454 – Amerigo Vespucci, Italian explorer after whom America is named.
1934 – Yuri Gagarin, Soviet cosmonaut and first human in space.
1943 – Bobby Fischer, American chess grandmaster and world champion.
1964 – Juliette Binoche, French actress.
1987 – Shad Moss (Bow Wow), American rapper and actor.
Notable Deaths
1444 – Leonardo Bruni
Italian humanist, historian, and chancellor of Florence. He was one of the earliest advocates of Renaissance humanism and is considered one of the first modern historians.
1851 – Hans Christian Ørsted
Danish physicist and chemist who discovered the relationship between electricity and magnetism (electromagnetism), a key development in the field of physics.
1930 – William Howard Taft
27th President of the United States (1909–1913) and later the 10th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. He remains the only person to have held both offices.
1959 – Matt Monro
English singer known as “The Man with the Golden Voice.” He gained international fame and performed theme songs for films like From Russia with Love and Born Free.
1996 – George Burns
American comedian, actor, and writer, known for his long partnership with Gracie Allen and his distinctive cigar-smoking, wisecracking style. He lived to be 100 years old.
1997 – The Notorious B.I.G. (Christopher Wallace)
American rapper and hip-hop icon, killed in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles. His death remains officially unsolved and is a pivotal moment in hip-hop history.
2018 – Hubert de Givenchy
French fashion designer and founder of the Givenchy brand. Known for dressing Audrey Hepburn and redefining elegance in post-war fashion.
