1890Invention
First commercial electric car shown
William Morrison showed first successful commercial electric car in Des Moines, Iowa.
Monday 12 October 2026
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Coincidence Engine
Two birth milestones share this date — Richard Nixon born (1913) and Nina Dobrev born (1989), 76 years apart.
1 / 3 coincidences found today • Auto-spins every 7s
From CurioVault
Today's curiosity
Before dinosaurs existed, dragonflies with 2-foot wings ruled the sky.
Read on CurioVault.co → Today's headlines
- Iraqi Head Seeks ArmsHall of Fame◆
- 1887EASTERN YACHTING TALK.The New York Times◆
- 2019Australia had third-warmest year on record in 2018The Guardian◆
- 2013Barack Obama expected to nominate Jack Lew as treasury secretaryThe Guardian◆
- 1793Jean-Pierre Blanchard becomes the first person to fly in a balloon in the United States.Wikipedia◆
- 1797War of the First Coalition: The siege of Kehl by Habsburg and Württembergian forces ended when French troops withdrew from their fortifications.Wikipedia◆
- 1806Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson receives a state funeral and is interred in St Paul's Cathedral.Wikipedia◆
- 1693Sicily earthquake: The first of two earthquakes destroys parts of Sicily and Malta. After the second quake on 11 January, the death toll is estimated at between 60,000 and 100,000 people.Wikipedia◆
- 1959The Vega de Tera dam fails, triggering a disastrous flood that nearly destroys the town of Ribadelago and kills 144 residents.Wikipedia◆
- 475Verina, the Eastern Roman dowager Empress, instigates a riot in Constantinople and persuades emperor Zeno, her son-in-law, to flee. The Byzantine senate, however, acclaims Basiliscus as emperor and not her lover Patricius.Wikipedia◆
- 1996First Chechen War: Chechen separatists launched raids in the city of Kizlyar, Dagestan, which turned into a massive hostage crisis involving thousands of civilians.Wikipedia◆
- 1992Radio astronomers Aleksander Wolszczan and Dale Frail announced the discovery of two pulsar planets orbiting PSR B1257+12 (depicted), the first confirmed detection of exoplanets.Wikipedia◆
- 1981U.S. representative Raymond Lederer was convicted of bribery and conspiracy for his role in the Abscam scandal, but continued to serve his term for three more months.Wikipedia◆
- 1975The Great Storm spawned the first of 45 tornadoes over a three-day period in the Southeastern United States.Wikipedia◆
- Iraqi Head Seeks ArmsHall of Fame◆
- 1887EASTERN YACHTING TALK.The New York Times◆
- 2019Australia had third-warmest year on record in 2018The Guardian◆
- 2013Barack Obama expected to nominate Jack Lew as treasury secretaryThe Guardian◆
- 1793Jean-Pierre Blanchard becomes the first person to fly in a balloon in the United States.Wikipedia◆
- 1797War of the First Coalition: The siege of Kehl by Habsburg and Württembergian forces ended when French troops withdrew from their fortifications.Wikipedia◆
- 1806Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson receives a state funeral and is interred in St Paul's Cathedral.Wikipedia◆
- 1693Sicily earthquake: The first of two earthquakes destroys parts of Sicily and Malta. After the second quake on 11 January, the death toll is estimated at between 60,000 and 100,000 people.Wikipedia◆
- 1959The Vega de Tera dam fails, triggering a disastrous flood that nearly destroys the town of Ribadelago and kills 144 residents.Wikipedia◆
- 475Verina, the Eastern Roman dowager Empress, instigates a riot in Constantinople and persuades emperor Zeno, her son-in-law, to flee. The Byzantine senate, however, acclaims Basiliscus as emperor and not her lover Patricius.Wikipedia◆
- 1996First Chechen War: Chechen separatists launched raids in the city of Kizlyar, Dagestan, which turned into a massive hostage crisis involving thousands of civilians.Wikipedia◆
- 1992Radio astronomers Aleksander Wolszczan and Dale Frail announced the discovery of two pulsar planets orbiting PSR B1257+12 (depicted), the first confirmed detection of exoplanets.Wikipedia◆
- 1981U.S. representative Raymond Lederer was convicted of bribery and conspiracy for his role in the Abscam scandal, but continued to serve his term for three more months.Wikipedia◆
- 1975The Great Storm spawned the first of 45 tornadoes over a three-day period in the Southeastern United States.Wikipedia◆
Birthday twins
You share your birthday with...
Nina Dobrev1989- Kate Middleton1982
- Richard Nixon1913
9 January in history
2 eventsEvents, inventions, discoveries and releases. Looking for people or sport? See , and below.
We are adding more verified events for this date - more coming soon.
1929Achievement
First flight over South Pole
Bernt Balchen flew over South Pole with Harold June and others.
Showing 1-2 of 2 events
What happened on this day · Odd history for today
Vintage News — January 9
1793 First everJean-Pierre Blanchard becomes the first person to fly in a balloon in the United States.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1797 First everWar of the First Coalition: The siege of Kehl by Habsburg and Württembergian forces ended when French troops withdrew from their fortifications.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1806 Oddly trueAdmiral Horatio Lord Nelson receives a state funeral and is interred in St Paul's Cathedral.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1693 First everSicily earthquake: The first of two earthquakes destroys parts of Sicily and Malta. After the second quake on 11 January, the death toll is estimated at between 60,000 and 100,000 people.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1959 WeirdThe Vega de Tera dam fails, triggering a disastrous flood that nearly destroys the town of Ribadelago and kills 144 residents.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
From The Guardian Archives — On This Day
2019The GuardianAustralia had third-warmest year on record in 2018Bureau of Meteorology says average temperature was 1.14C above average for 1961-1990, making 2018 slightly warmer tha…
Read on The Guardian →
2013The GuardianBarack Obama expected to nominate Jack Lew as treasury secretaryPresident's current chief of staff Jack Lew expected to take over from Tim Geithner and assume crucial role in coming…
Read on The Guardian →- 1887The New York TimesEASTERN YACHTING TALK.
BOSTON, Jan.8.--During the last week an important change has been made in the plans for the new sloop which Mr. Burge…
Read on NYTimes.com →
Headlines via The Guardian Open Platform · Historic front pages via the NYT Archive API
Facts from Wikipedia On This Day API (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia. Thumbnails CC BY-SA. Headlines via The Guardian Open Platform and the NYT Archive API. Historic pages via Library of Congress Chronicling America. Curated by OddlyTrue.
Strange but true headlines of the day
OddlyTrue News Stand
From the archives
Classic headlineIraqi Head Seeks Arms
Source: Classic headline (CJR 'Squad Helps Dog Bite Victim' collections)View clipping source
Did you guess the year?
Streak 0 days Best 0
When was “Jean-Pierre Blanchard becomes the first person to fly in a balloon in the United States.” happening? Slide to your guess.
1950
Weird history, same day
- ???? First ever
Jean-Pierre Blanchard becomes the first person to fly in a balloon in the United States.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1797 First ever
War of the First Coalition: The siege of Kehl by Habsburg and Württembergian forces ended when French troops withdrew from their fortifications.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1806 Oddly true
Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson receives a state funeral and is interred in St Paul's Cathedral.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
Hall of Fame headlines are manually verified clippings (source linked); nothing is scraped from Newspapers.com. Facts from Wikipedia On This Day API (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia. Clippings from the Library of Congress, Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers site.
Pick another date or enter your birthday (day + month only)
Viewing 9 January — today is 12 October.
Born on this day
3
1913Birth
Richard Nixon born
Richard Nixon was born. 37th US president.
1982Birth
Kate Middleton born
Kate Middleton was born. Princess of Wales.
1989Birth
Nina Dobrev born
Nina Dobrev was born. Canadian actress.
Died on this day
17 in the archiveFive infamous ends — executed, assassinated or murdered — drawn at random from the archive. All infamous ends →
Accident
2020Death
Kobe Bryant dies
Kobe Bryant, professional basketball player, died on this day in 2020. Helicopter crash. Remembered as: Five-time NBA champion with the LA Lakers.
Assassinated
1865Death
Abraham Lincoln dies
Abraham Lincoln, politician, died on this day in 1865. Assassinated by John Wilkes Booth. Remembered as: 16th President of the US, led the nation during the Civil War.
Suicide
2008Death
Heath Ledger dies
Heath Ledger, actor, died on this day in 2008. Accidental prescription drug overdose. Remembered as: Acclaimed performances, including the Joker in The Dark Knight.
Suicide
1890Death
Vincent van Gogh dies
Vincent van Gogh, painter, died on this day in 1890. Suicide by gunshot. Remembered as: Post-Impressionist whose work deeply influenced 20th-century art.
Suicide
1962Death
Marilyn Monroe dies
Marilyn Monroe, actress and model, died on this day in 1962. Barbiturate overdose. Remembered as: Iconic actress and sex symbol of the 1950s and 1960s.
Famous birthdays
22 this weekToday · 9 January
- Nina DobrevCanadian actress (born 1989)Born 1989 · 37 years ago today
- Kate MiddletonMember of the British royal family (born 1982)Born 1982 · 44 years ago today
- Richard NixonPresident of the United States from 1969 to 1974Born 1913 · 113 years ago today
Coming up this week
Pat BenatarAmerican singer and songwriter (born 1953)10 January · born 1953
George ForemanAmerican boxer (1949–2025)10 January · born 1949
Rod StewartBritish singer-songwriter (born 1945)10 January · born 1945
Amanda PeetAmerican actress (born 1972)11 January · born 1972
Mary J. BligeAmerican singer and actress (born 1971)11 January · born 1971
Alexander HamiltonAmerican Founding Father (died 1804)11 January · born 1755
Celebration9 January
National Word Nerd Day
Celebrates the English language, vocabulary, and the joy of learning new words.
Music · No.1 on this day
What was topping the charts
The official No.1 singles and albums in the UK and the USA on this date, decade by decade.
2016 10 yrs ago
2006 20 yrs ago
1996 30 yrs ago
1986 40 yrs ago
1976 50 yrs ago
1966 60 yrs ago
1956 70 yrs ago
Sport on this day
0Finals, medals and records decided on 9 January.
No recorded sporting finals on this date yet.
Sporting almanac
Who was champion, 10, 25 and 50 years ago
World Cups, Olympics, Wimbledon, the Masters, Super Bowl and more — year by year since 1877.
2016 10 yrs ago
- Olympic GamesSummer Olympics in Rio
- WimbledonAndy Murray and Serena Williams win Wimbledon
- Super BowlDenver Broncos win Super Bowl 50
- Tour de FranceChris Froome wins the Tour de France
- The MastersDanny Willett wins the Masters
- World SeriesChicago Cubs win the World Series
2001 25 yrs ago
- WimbledonGoran Ivanisevic and Venus Williams win Wimbledon
- Super BowlBaltimore Ravens win Super Bowl XXXV
- The MastersTiger Woods wins the Masters
- World SeriesArizona Diamondbacks win the World Series
- NBA FinalsLos Angeles Lakers win the NBA Finals
- Stanley CupColorado Avalanche win the Stanley Cup
1976 50 yrs ago
- Olympic GamesSummer Olympics in Montreal
- Olympic GamesWinter Olympics in Innsbruck
- WimbledonBjorn Borg and Chris Evert win Wimbledon
- Super BowlPittsburgh Steelers win Super Bowl X
- Tour de FranceLucien Van Impe wins the Tour de France
- The MastersRaymond Floyd wins the Masters
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