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
March 9 Monday, March 9, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on March 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
1
Holidays
1841
US history 185 years ago
The U.S. Supreme Court rules in the United States v. The Amistad case that captive Africans who had seized control of the ship carrying them had been taken into slavery illegally.
The Supreme Court rules that the Africans who seized control of the slave ship Amistad were kidnapped illegally and orders their freedom.
History
What happened on March 9
12 verified entries Full timeline
- -141World history
Liu Che, posthumously known as Emperor Wu of Han, assumes the throne over the Han dynasty of China.
Liu Che becomes emperor of the Han dynasty and is later known as Emperor Wu.
- 1009European history
First known mention of Lithuania, in the annals of the monastery of Quedlinburg.
Lithuania is first mentioned in the annals of the Quedlinburg monastery.
- 1044European history
The people of Constantinople riot against emperor Constantine IX Monomachos, whose preference of his mistress Maria Skleraina over empress Zoe Porphyrogenita is seen as an insult.
The people of Constantinople riot against Emperor Constantine IX Monomachos over his favoritism toward his mistress Maria Skleraina.
- 1226War
Khwarazmian sultan Jalal ad-Din conquers the Georgian capital of Tbilisi.
Jalal ad-Din captures Tbilisi, marking a significant victory for the Khwarazmian sultanate over Georgia.
- 1230European history
Bulgarian Tsar Ivan Asen II defeats Theodore of Epirus in the Battle of Klokotnitsa.
Bulgarian Tsar Ivan Asen II defeats Theodore of Epirus, securing control over Macedonia and Thrace.
- 1500US history
The fleet of Pedro Álvares Cabral leaves Lisbon for the Indies. The fleet will discover Brazil which lies within boundaries granted to Portugal in the Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494.
Pedro Álvares Cabral's fleet departs Lisbon bound for the Indies, a voyage that will lead to the European discovery of Brazil, which falls within Portugal's Treaty of Tordesillas boundaries.
- 1776Politics
Scottish philosopher Adam Smith publishes The Wealth of Nations, ushering in the classical period of political economy.
Adam Smith publishes "The Wealth of Nations," laying the foundation for classical political economy.
- 1796European history
Napoléon Bonaparte marries his first wife, Joséphine de Beauharnais.
Napoléon Bonaparte weds Joséphine de Beauharnais, marking the beginning of their influential political alliance.
- 1841US history
The U.S. Supreme Court rules in the United States v. The Amistad case that captive Africans who had seized control of the ship carrying them had been taken into slavery illegally.
The Supreme Court rules that the Africans who seized control of the slave ship Amistad were kidnapped illegally and orders their freedom.
- 1847US history
Mexican-American War: The first large-scale amphibious assault in U.S. history is launched in the Siege of Veracruz.
U.S. forces launch the first large-scale amphibious assault in American military history during the Siege of Veracruz in the Mexican-American War.
- 1916War
Mexican Revolution: Pancho Villa leads nearly 500 Mexican raiders in an attack against the border town of Columbus, New Mexico.
Pancho Villa leads a raid on Columbus, New Mexico, with nearly 500 Mexican rebels.
- 2000Technology
Nupedia, a multi-language online encyclopedia, is launched.
Nupedia, an early multi-language online encyclopedia project, launches with contributions from experts worldwide.
Born today
Famous birthdays on March 9
7 this date All birthdays
Friederike Caroline Neuber
German actress
Friederike Caroline Neuber, a pioneering German actress and theatre director who helped develop modern German theatre and worked to improve the social and artistic status of actors, was born today in 1697.
Born
1697
Died
1760
William Cobbett
English journalist and author
1763 – 1835
Samuel Barber
American pianist and composer
1910 – 1981
Jackie Jensen
American baseball player
1927 – 1982
Ornette Coleman
American saxophonist, violinist, trumpet player, and composer
1930 – 2015
Jeon Somi
South Korean-Canadian singer
b. 2001 · 25
Sunisa Lee
American gymnast
b. 2003 · 23
Music
The number one songs on March 9
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on March 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 March 9, 1847
Mexican-American War: The first large-scale amphibious assault in U.S. history is launched in the Siege of Veracruz.
U.S. forces launch an amphibious assault on Veracruz, marking the first large-scale operation of its kind in American military history.
Read the story
🔬 Science March 9, 1815
Francis Ronalds describes the first battery-operated clock in the Philosophical Magazine.
Francis Ronalds details the invention of a battery-powered clock in the Philosophical Magazine.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
1 celebrated today
Teachers' Day or Eid Al Moalim (Lebanon)
International
Teachers' Day is a special day for the appreciation of teachers