This Day In History : October 9

2009 United States

First lunar impact of the Centaur and LCROSS spacecrafts as part of NASA's Lunar Precursor Robotic Program

The Centaur and LCROSS spacecrafts, part of NASA's Lunar Precursor Robotic Program, impacted the moon on October 9, 2009. This mission aimed to search for water ice on the moon's surface by impacting a crater near the lunar south pole and analyzing the debris ejected. The LCROSS spacecraft was specifically designed to impact the moon's surface after the Centaur rocket stage, providing valuable data about the presence of water ice and other compounds on the moon.

Also on This Day in History October 9

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

Births on This Day, October 9
  • 1966 David Cameron

    English politician, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

  • 1833 Eugen Langen

    German engineer who pioneered in building internal-combustion engines

  • 1704 Johann Andreas von Segner

    German physicist and mathematician who recognized the surface tension of liquids

  • 1858 Gerard Philips

    Dutch industrialist and manufacturer (Philips)

  • 1879 Max von Laue

    German physicist who discovered the diffraction of X-rays by crystals

Deaths on This Day, October 9
  • 1911 Jack Daniel

    American businessman who founded Jack Daniel's

  • 2006 Raymond Noorda

    American electrical engineer, known as "the father of computer networking", co-founder and long time CEO of Novell

  • 1988 Felix Wankel

    German inventor (Wankel rotary-piston engine)

  • 1906 Joseph Glidden

    American inventor (barbed wire) and businessman

  • 1943 Pieter Zeeman

    Dutch physicist (Nobel Prize 1902 for Zeeman effect)

1410

The Prague astronomical clock is mentioned for the first time

The Prague astronomical clock, also known as the Orloj, is a medieval astronomical clock located in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. It was first installed in 1410, making it one of the oldest astronomical clocks still in operation. The clock is mounted on the southern wall of the Old Town Hall in the Old Town Square of Prague and consists of an astronomical dial representing the positions of the sun and moon, a calendar dial with medallions representing the months, and various other features.
1873

The U.S. Naval Institute is established

The U.S. Naval Institute was established on October 9, 1873. It was founded in Annapolis, Maryland, with the mission to provide professional development and promote the knowledge and understanding of sea power and other maritime issues. The institute serves as a forum for discussion and debate among naval professionals and publishes the prestigious journal "Proceedings" to disseminate ideas and advancements in naval science and technology.
1962

Uganda becomes an independent Commonwealth realm

Uganda became an independent Commonwealth realm on October 9, 1962. This marked the end of British colonial rule in Uganda, with Sir Edward Mutesa II becoming the first President and Queen Elizabeth II remaining the ceremonial head of state.
1834

The first public railway, the Dublin and Kingstown Railway opens on the island of Ireland

The Dublin and Kingstown Railway, which opened on October 9, 1834, was the first public railway in Ireland. It connected Dublin, the capital city, with Kingstown (now Dún Laoghaire), a coastal town to the south. The railway was a significant milestone in Ireland's transportation history, providing a new mode of transport for both passengers and freight between the city and the sea.
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