This Day In History : February 9

1969 United States

Boeing 747 Takes Its Maiden Flight

On February 9, 1969, the Boeing 747, also known as the "Jumbo Jet," made its first flight. This historic event marked the beginning of a new era in commercial aviation. The 747's capacity and range revolutionized air travel and set new standards for the industry.

Also on This Day in History February 9

Discover what happened on February 9 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries,
famous births and notable deaths.

Births on This Day, February 9
  • 1883 Garnet Carter

    American inventor of miniature golf. In 1926, Garnet Carter opened the first miniature golf course at the Fairyland Club on Lookout Mountain.

  • 1865 Erich Dagobert von Drygalski

    German geographer and glaciologist who discovered a volcano, free of ice, on the Antarctic continent.

  • 1859 Robert Hope-Jones

    British-American organ builder whose innovations created the theatre organ and its orchestral sounds.

  • 1846 Wilhelm Maybach

    German engineer and engine designer, who invented the spray carburettor and was the chief designer of the first Mercedes automobiles (1900-01).

  • 1854 Aletta Henriette Jacobs

    Dutch physician who pioneered family planning with the world's first birth control clinic.

Deaths on This Day, February 9
  • 2001 Herbert A. Simon

    Herbert Alexander Simon was an American social scientist who was a pioneer of the development of computer artificial intelligence.

  • 1977 Sergey Vladimirovich Ilyushin

    Soviet aircraft designer who created the famous Il-2 Stormovik armoured attack aircraft, the most used and the most produced plane during WWII by the Soviet Union Air Force.

  • 1811 Nevil Maskelyne

    English astronomer noted for his contribution to the science of navigation.

  • 1865 James Melville Gilliss

    U.S. naval officer and astronomer who founded the Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C., the first U.S. observatory devoted entirely to research.

  • 1883 William E. Dodge

    American industrialist, cofounder of Phelps, Dodge & Company, which was one of the largest mining companies in the US for more than a century.

1971

Apollo 14 Returns to Earth After Successful Moon Mission

On February 9, 1971, NASA's Apollo 14 mission safely returned to Earth, concluding its historic journey. The mission, which included astronauts Alan Shepard, Edgar Mitchell, and command module pilot Stuart Roosa, successfully landed on the Moon, marking the third crewed lunar landing.
1995

Michael Foale Becomes First British-Born American Astronaut to Walk in Space

On February 9, 1995, Michael Foale, the first British-born American astronaut, conducted his historic spacewalk. Foale, who was on the Space Shuttle Atlantis mission, became a significant figure in space exploration by bridging British and American space achievements.
1959

USSR Deploys World's First Intercontinental Ballistic Missile

On February 9, 1959, the Soviet Union made history by deploying the world's first intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). This milestone marked a significant advancement in missile technology, enhancing the USSR's strategic capabilities and intensifying the Cold War arms race.
1920

International Treaty Establishes Norwegian Sovereignty Over Svalbard

On February 9, 1920, the Svalbard Treaty was signed, officially recognizing Norwegian sovereignty over the Svalbard archipelago. This agreement established Norway's control while allowing other signatory nations equal rights to commercial activities in the region.
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