Today In World History, May 9

On this day in 1987, Obafemi Awolowo, Nigerian lawyer and politician died



2007 May 9: Gunmen seized four American workers overnight in southern region, as violence escalated in the petroleum producing region.

2007 May 9: South Korea’s top builder, Daewoo Engineering and Construction, welcomed release of its kidnapped workers in Nigeria

1502         Christopher Columbus leaves Spain on his final trip to New World.

1754         The first newspaper cartoon in America appears.

1813         U.S. troops under William Henry Harrison take Fort Meigs from British and Canadian troops.

1864         Union General John Sedgwick is shot and killed by a Confederate sharpshooter during fighting at Spotsylvania. His last words are: “They couldn’t hit an elephant at this dist–“

1859         Threatened by the advancing French army, the Austrian army retreats across the River Sesia in Italy.

1915         German and French forces fight the Battle of Artois.

1926         Explorer Richard Byrd and Floyd Bennett make the first flight over the North Pole.

1936         Fascist Italy captures the city of Addis Abba, Ethiopia and annexes the country.

1941         The German submarine U-110 is captured at sea along with its Enigma machine by the Royal Navy.

1946         King Victor Emmanuel II of Italy abdicates his throne and is replaced by Umberto.

1962         A laser beam is successfully bounced off the moon for the first time.

1974         The House Judiciary Committee begins formal hearings on Nixon impeachment.