May 9
May 9 is the 130th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 236 days remain until the year's end. It falls in spring (northern hemisphere) and under the astrological sign of Taurus.
External references
Curated jump-off points to the major almanacs, encyclopaedias and primary sources for this date.
Astronomy
On May 9 the Sun's declination is approximately +17.5°. At this latitude the Sun is north of the celestial equator, giving the Northern Hemisphere longer days than nights.
For specific rise/set times at your location, see the U.S. Naval Observatory, or the NASA APOD archive for any imagery published on a May 9.
Position in the year
Holidays & observances
- Europe Day (European Union)
- Victory Day (Russia, marking 1945)
Events
A selection of widely-documented historical events that took place on this date. Years marked BCE follow standard astronomical convention.
1671 — Thomas Blood attempted to steal the Crown Jewels from the Tower of London. ↗(355 years ago)more
Thomas Blood was an Anglo-Irish army officer and self-styled colonel best known for his attempt to steal the Crown Jewels of England from the Tower of London in 1671. Described in an American source as a "noted bravo and desperado," he was also known for his attempt to kidnap and, later, to kill his enemy, the 1st Duke of Ormond.
1950 — French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman proposed the European Coal and Steel Community — the Schuman Declaration. ↗(76 years ago)more
The Schuman Declaration, or Schuman Plan, was a proposal to place French and West German production of coal and steel under a single authority that later became the European Coal and Steel Community, made by the French foreign minister, Robert Schuman, on 9 May 1950, the day after the fifth anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe.
1960 — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the world's first commercial oral contraceptive. ↗(66 years ago)more
The combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP), often referred to as the birth control pill or colloquially as "the pill", is a type of birth control that is designed to be taken orally by women. It is the oral form of combined hormonal contraception. The pill contains two important hormones: a progestin and estrogen.
- 1980 — In Florida, the Liberian-flagged tanker Summit Venture struck the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, killing 35. ↗(46 years ago)
Notable births
1860 — J. M. Barrie, Scottish author (Peter Pan). ↗(166 years ago)more
Sir James Matthew Barrie, 1st Baronet was a Scottish novelist and playwright, best remembered as the creator of Peter Pan. He was born and educated in Scotland and then moved to London, where he wrote several successful novels and plays.
1936 — Glenda Jackson, English actress and politician. ↗(90 years ago)more
Glenda May Jackson was an English actress and politician. Over the course of her distinguished career she received numerous accolades including two Academy Awards, three Emmy Awards and a Tony Award, making her one of the few performers to achieve the "Triple Crown of Acting." Her other accolades include two BAFTA Awards and a Golden Globe Award.
Notable deaths
1805 — Friedrich Schiller, German poet and playwright. ↗(221 years ago)more
Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller was a German playwright, poet, philosopher and historian. Schiller is considered to be one of Germany's most important classical playwrights.
Numerical & calendrical curiosities
| Day-of-year (130) | 2 × 5 × 13 · composite (no) |
|---|---|
| Days remaining (236) | 2^2 × 59 |
| Date code DDMMYYYY | 09052026 · no palindrome in next 200 years |
| Sun declination | +17.51° (Cooper approximation) |
| Distance from solstice | 42 days |