Planes, Pills, and Presidents: May 9!
Get ready for some seriously cool history that happened on May 9th! We're talking about a daring flight to the top of the world, a medical breakthrough that changed lives, and even the official 'all clear' signal after a huge war. It’s a day where explorers, scientists, and even presidents made headlines!
Did you know that a major decision that gave women more control over their future happened on this day? Plus, we have a polar adventure where the exact details are still a bit of a mystery! History is way more like an action movie than a boring textbook, especially on May 9th.
What Happened on This Day
A Daring Flight to the North Pole
Americans Richard Byrd and Floyd Bennett claimed to be the first people to fly an airplane over the North Pole! They zipped over the icy top of the world in their Fokker plane, the *Josephine Ford*. While their claim was cheered at the time, later diary secrets made scientists scratch their heads and wonder if they *actually* made it all the way. Still, it was an amazing feat of early aviation!
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The Pill is Approved: A Huge Change!
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Enovid-10, the first-ever commercially produced birth control pill, for use as an oral contraceptive! This was a massive deal that gave women new control over their family planning. It sparked huge social changes across the world, letting people plan their lives and futures in brand new ways. Talk about a world-changer!
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President Johnson Declares the Civil War 'Virtually' Over
Just weeks after the main fighting ended, U.S. President Andrew Johnson issued a proclamation saying the American Civil War was 'virtually at an end.' This was a big step toward reuniting the country after years of terrible fighting. He warned that any ships still helping people who were on the losing side wouldn't be allowed into U.S. ports. It was the government’s way of saying: Time to stop fighting and start rebuilding!
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Howard Carter, Discoverer of King Tut’s Tomb, is Born
The man who made one of the greatest archaeology discoveries ever, Howard Carter, was born today! He was the archaeologist who finally found the nearly untouched tomb of the famous Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamun in 1922. Imagine being the first person in thousands of years to look inside and see all that gold! Carter spent his life uncovering secrets from the ancient world.
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Hitchcock's Famous, Mind-Bending Movie Premieres
Alfred Hitchcock, the 'Master of Suspense,' released his visually stunning and super twisty film, *Vertigo*, today! It's a psychological thriller about a detective with a massive fear of heights who gets caught up in a mysterious plot. Critics didn't totally love it at first, but years later? People started calling it one of the greatest movies *ever made*. It's proof that even the coolest stuff sometimes needs time to become a classic!
Fun Facts About May 9
- The first successful human-powered aircraft flight happened on May 9, 1978—the Gossamer Condor!
- In 1754, Benjamin Franklin published his famous 'Join, or Die' cartoon, urging colonies to unite.
- In 1946, King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy gave up his throne!
- In 1962, scientists bounced the first laser beam off the Moon right here from Earth!
A Look Back in Time
The events of May 9th show a world moving fast! In 1865, the focus was on healing the wounds of the Civil War and bringing the nation back together. By the early 1900s, the focus shifted to bold exploration, like the daring trip over the North Pole. Then, by the 1950s and 60s, the focus turned to huge scientific and social leaps, like the approval of the birth control pill, showing how quickly life and technology can change the way people live.
Born on This Day
Howard Carter
This British archaeologist struck gold—literally! He was the one who discovered the amazing, treasure-filled tomb of the Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun in 1922. Imagine being the first person in 3,000 years to peek inside!
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Glenda Jackson
Glenda Jackson was a double threat! She was an incredibly talented actress who won Oscars for her acting, AND she became a real-life politician, serving in the UK Parliament for many years. From stage lights to government halls!
Billy Joel
The Piano Man himself! Billy Joel is one of the best-selling musicians of all time, writing catchy tunes about life, love, and New York. Get ready to sing along to classics like 'Uptown Girl' and 'We Didn't Start the Fire'!
Rosario Dawson
From blockbuster movies to animated hits, Rosario Dawson is a fantastic actress who has done it all! She's known for bringing complex and strong characters to life on screen, in everything from sci-fi adventures to superhero stories.