This Day in History: May 9

1865: President Andrew Johnson declares end of American Civil War

In 1865, President Andrew Johnson issued a proclamation announcing that armed resistance in the South was virtually over, thus marking the commonly accepted end date of the American Civil War.

1901: First Australian Parliament opens

The first Australian Parliament was opened in Melbourne in 1901, though the first working session did not begin until May 21st. This was a significant event in the country's history, as it marked the beginning of a new democratic era for Australia.

1941: Bletchley Park breaks German spy codes

In 1941, British intelligence at Bletchley Park successfully broke German spy codes after capturing Enigma machines aboard the weather ship Muenchen. This breakthrough was crucial in the Allied victory in World War II.

1945: Soviet Union marks Victory Day

May 9th, 1945, was marked as Victory Day by the Soviet Union, commemorating the end of World War II in Europe.

1960: US legalizes birth control pill

In 1960, the United States became the first country to legalize the birth control pill, which was a significant milestone in the history of women's reproductive rights and sparked a global revolution in contraception.

1969: Carlos Lamarca fights Brazil's military dictatorship

Carlos Lamarca, a member of the communist organization Vanguardia Popular Revolucionária (VPR), began his fight against Brazil's military dictatorship in 1969. He is well-known for his urban guerilla actions, and Brazilian forces killed him in 1971.

1979: Habib Elghanian is executed in Iran

Habib Elghanian, an Iranian Jewish businessman, was executed in 1979 after being convicted of "contacts with Israel and Zionism" and "friendship with the enemies of God". His execution triggered a Jewish mass exodus from Iran.

1997: U.S. ambassador visits Vietnam after the war

In 1997, Pete Peterson became the first U.S. ambassador to visit Vietnam after the end of the war. Peterson, a Vietnam veteran, devoted himself to promoting reconciliation between the two countries, which had a strained relationship following the war that claimed the lives of about 2.5 million Vietnamese, mostly civilians.

2012: Sukhoi Superjet 100 crashes in Indonesia

The Sukhoi Superjet 100, the first airliner produced in Russia since the end of the USSR, crashed in Indonesia in 2012 during a demonstration tour carrying potential customers. Pilot error was cited as the cause of the crash, which claimed the lives of all 45 people on board.

2018: Opposition coalition wins Malaysian general election

In 2018, the opposition coalition Pakatan Harapan, led by 92-year-old former Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad, won a historic victory in the Malaysian general election. The coalition defeated Prime Minister Najib Razak and ended 61 years of rule by the Barisan Nasional coalition.