Box-office #1
The Empire Strikes Back
1980 · dir. Irvin Kershner
Wide US release on May 23, 1980. Goes on to become the highest-grossing film of the year.
Sci-fiStar Wars $538M worldwide
On this day
December 9 Wednesday, December 9, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on December 9 across the years — history, birthdays, the songs that ruled the charts, the films that packed cinemas, and the science that nudged the world forward.
12
Events
7
Birthdays
7
Holidays
1941
WWII 85 years ago
World War II: China, Cuba, Guatemala, and the Philippine Commonwealth declare war on Germany and Japan.
China, Cuba, Guatemala, and the Philippine Commonwealth declare war on Germany and Japan, joining the Allied powers in World War II.
History
What happened on December 9
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 536War
Gothic War: The Byzantine general Belisarius enters Rome unopposed; the Gothic garrison flees the capital.
Byzantine general Belisarius enters Rome unopposed during the Gothic War as the Ostrogothic garrison abandons the ancient capital without resistance.
- 730War
Battle of Marj Ardabil: The Khazars annihilate an Umayyad army and kill its commander, al-Jarrah ibn Abdallah al-Hakami.
The Khazars defeat the Umayyad army, killing its commander al-Jarrah ibn Abdallah al-Hakami.
- 1432War
The first battle between the forces of Švitrigaila and Sigismund Kęstutaitis is fought near the town of Oszmiana (Ashmyany), launching the most active phase of the Lithuanian Civil War.
A battle between Švitrigaila and Sigismund Kęstutaitis near Oszmiana marks the start of the intense phase of the Lithuanian Civil War.
- 1531Religion
The Virgin of Guadalupe first appears to Juan Diego at Tepeyac, Mexico City.
The Virgin Mary allegedly appears to Juan Diego, leaving an image on his cloak that becomes the revered icon known as Our Lady of Guadalupe.
- 1636World history
The Qing dynasty of China, led by Emperor Hong Taiji, invades Joseon.
The Qing dynasty invades Joseon, marking the beginning of significant Chinese influence over Korea.
- 1775US history
American Revolutionary War: British troops and Loyalists, misinformed about Patriot militia strength, lose the Battle of Great Bridge, ending British rule in Virginia.
British troops and Loyalists, misinformed about Patriot militia strength, lose the Battle of Great Bridge to colonial forces, ending British rule in Virginia.
- 1835US history
Texas Revolution: The Texian Army captures San Antonio following the Siege of Béxar.
The Texian Army captures San Antonio after the Siege of Béxar, marking a pivotal victory in the Texas Revolution.
- 1872US history
In Louisiana, P. B. S. Pinchback becomes the first African American governor of a U.S. state following the impeachment of Henry C. Warmoth.
P. B. S. Pinchback becomes the first African American governor, taking office in Louisiana after Henry C. Warmoth's impeachment.
- 1941WWII
World War II: China, Cuba, Guatemala, and the Philippine Commonwealth declare war on Germany and Japan.
China, Cuba, Guatemala, and the Philippine Commonwealth declare war on Germany and Japan, joining the Allied powers in World War II.
- 1965US history
Kecksburg UFO incident: A fireball is seen from Michigan to Pennsylvania; with witnesses reporting something crashing in the woods near Pittsburgh.
Witnesses report a fireball over multiple states, leading some to claim an object crashed in the woods near Pittsburgh.
- 2008Politics
Governor of Illinois Rod Blagojevich is arrested by federal officials for crimes including attempting to sell the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.
Rod Blagojevich is arrested by federal officials for crimes including attempting to sell Barack Obama's vacated U.S. Senate seat.
- 2021Disaster
Fifty-five people are killed and more than 100 injured when a truck with 160 migrants from Central America overturned in Chiapas, Mexico.
A truck carrying 160 migrants from Central America overturns in Chiapas, Mexico, killing 55 and injuring over 100.
Born today
Famous birthdays on December 9
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 33
Mark McMorris
Canadian snowboarder
Mark McMorris, Canadian professional snowboarder and three-time Olympic bronze medallist in slopestyle, turns 32 today.
Born
1993
Turns 33
today
Fritz Haber
Polish-German chemist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate
1868 – 1934
Buck Henry
American actor, director, and screenwriter
1930 – 2020
Martin Taylor
English footballer and coach
b. 1966 · 60
Allison Smith
American actress
b. 1969 · 57
Simon Helberg
American actor, comedian, and musician
b. 1980 · 46
Choi Min-ho
South Korean singer and actor
b. 1991 · 35
Music
The number one songs on December 9
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on December 9, 1981
"Stand and Deliver"
by Adam and the Ants
The dandy highwayman spent five weeks at the top — a brash, glam-pop coronation.
#1 for 5 weeks
Also #1 on this day
- 1965"Ticket To Ride"— The Beatles
- 1972"Metal Guru"— T. Rex
- 2003"Make Luv"— Room 5 ft. Oliver Cheatham
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport December 9, 2018
At Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid, Spain, River Plate defeats eternal rivals Boca Juniors in the second leg by an aggregate score of 5-3 in the Copa Libertadores.
River Plate beats Boca Juniors 5-3 on aggregate to win the Copa Libertadores final at Bernabéu Stadium.
Read the story
🔬 Science December 9, 1979
The eradication of the smallpox virus is certified, making smallpox the first of only two diseases that have been driven to extinction (with rinderpest in 2011 being the other).
The World Health Organization certifies the eradication of smallpox, marking it as one of only two human diseases driven to extinction.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
7 celebrated today
Anna's Day, marks the day to start the preparation process of the lutefisk to be consumed on Christmas Eve, as well as a Swedish name day, celebrating all people named Anna. (Sweden and Finland)
International
This is the old Swedish name day calendar, sanctioned by the Swedish Academy in 1901, with official status until 1972
Armed Forces Day (Peru)
International
An Armed Forces Day, alongside its branch-specific variants often referred to as Army or Soldier's Day, Navy or Sailor's Day, and Air Force or Aviator's Day, is a holiday dedicated to honoring the arm
Fatherland's Heroes Day (Russia)
International
The following is the list of official public holidays recognized by the Government of Russia
Independence Day, celebrates the independence of Tanganyika from Britain in 1961. (Tanzania)
International
Public holidays in Tanzania are in accordance with the Public Holidays Act, amended among others in December 1964, August 1966, July 2022, and are observed throughout the nation
International Anti-Corruption Day (United Nations)
International
International Anti-Corruption Day has been observed annually on 9 December since the passage of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption on 31 October 2003 to raise public awareness for anti-c
National Heroes Day, formerly V.C. Bird Day. (Antigua and Barbuda)
International
Public holidays in Antigua and Barbuda have both fixed and variable dates