This Day In History, August 9th.
Five Historical Events That Happened on August 9th
Construction of the Tower of Pisa begins in 1173 - The renowned Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy began construction on August 9, 1173. It took about 200 years to finish the tower, which is today one of the world's most recognized structures.
1945: Nagasaki Atomic Bombing - On August 9, 1945, the United States launched an atomic bomb on Nagasaki, Japan, killing an estimated 40,000 people instantaneously and forcing Japan to surrender in World War II.
Singapore proclaims independence on August 9, 1965 - On August 9, 1965, Singapore proclaimed its independence from Malaysia and became an independent, sovereign state.
Richard Nixon resigns as President of the United States in 1974 - Following the Watergate scandal, President Richard Nixon resigned from office on August 9, 1974, becoming the first US President to do so.
Russian President Boris Yeltsin dismisses his whole government in 1999 - Russian President Boris Yeltsin startled the world on August 9, 1999, when he fired his entire government, including Prime Minister Sergei Stepashin. This decision was interpreted as an attempt to consolidate power and strengthen Yeltsin's grip on the Russian government.
On August 9, 1173, construction of the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy began. It took almost 200 years to complete the tower, which is now one of the most famous landmarks in the world.
The Tower of Pisa is a freestanding bell tower in the Italian city of Pisa. It was erected in three parts spanning nearly 200 years, from 1173 to 1372. The tower is noteworthy for its unintentional tilt to one side, which was caused by a foundation that was too soft on one side to sustain the structure's weight. Despite efforts to remedy the lean, the tower still leans at around a 4 degree inclination today. The Tower of Pisa is a renowned tourist destination and an emblem of Italy and Italian architecture.
On August 9, 1945, the United States dropped an atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Nagasaki, killing an estimated 40,000 people instantly and leading to Japan's surrender in World War II.
The bombing of Nagasaki was the second and final use of nuclear weapons in combat, coming just three days after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. Nagasaki was bombed extensively, resulting in Japan's unconditional surrender on August 15, 1945, ultimately ending World War II. The bombs remain contentious and have sparked considerable debate and discussion in the years after they occurred.
On August 9, 1965, Singapore officially declared its independence from Malaysia and became a separate, sovereign state.
Singapore obtained independence from Malaysia. Political and economic conflicts between Singapore's ruling party, the People's Action Party, and Malaysia's ruling coalition, the Alliance Party, led to the split. Singapore was only a province of Malaysia for two years, from 1963 to 1965. Singapore experienced major economic and political obstacles in its early years as an independent nation, thus the split was not without difficulties. Singapore, on the other hand, was able to develop itself as an affluent and successful nation under the leadership of Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. Singapore is currently noted for its excellent level of life, robust economy, and effective governance.
On August 9, 1974, President Richard Nixon resigned from office following the Watergate scandal, becoming the first US President to ever resign.
Richard Nixon was the United States' 37th President, serving from 1969 until his resignation in 1974. Nixon's demise was precipitated by the Watergate affair, which entailed the Nixon administration's efforts to conceal its participation in the 1972 break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters. Nixon resigned on August 9, 1974, in the face of impeachment and expulsion from office. His resignation took effect on August 10, and he was succeeded by Vice President Gerald Ford. Nixon's resignation is seen as a watershed moment in American political history, serving as a warning about the necessity of openness, accountability, and the rule of law.
On August 9, 1999, Russian President Boris Yeltsin surprised the world by firing his entire cabinet, including Prime Minister Sergei Stepashin. This move was seen as an attempt to consolidate power and increase Yeltsin's control over the Russian government.
Boris Yeltsin was the Russian Federation's first President, serving from 1991 until 1999. On August 9, 1999, he fired his whole cabinet, including Prime Minister Sergei Stepashin, in an unexpected action perceived as an attempt to consolidate power and restore his control over the government. Yeltsin nominated Vladimir Putin as Prime Minister, and Putin went on to become President in 2000. The cabinet's dismissal was only one of several political and economic upheavals that Russia faced throughout the turbulent 1990s as it sought to transition to a market-based economy and a more democratic political system.