This Day In History, July 9th.
Five Historical Events That Happened on July 9th.
A personal partnership that would survive for more than 400 years was created when the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Kingdom of Poland signed the partnership of Krewo in 1386.
The Argentine Declaration of Independence was published in Tucumán in 1816, marking Argentina's declaration of independence from Spain.
Zachary Taylor, the sixteenth president of the United States, passed very abruptly in 1850. Millard Fillmore, his vice president, would assume the presidency.
William Jennings Bryan famously argued for the free coinage of silver during his "Cross of Gold" address at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in 1896 in an effort to ease farmers' financial hardships.
Princess Elizabeth of the United Kingdom and Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten were declared engaged in 1947. Later, on November 20, 1947, they would wed, and Elizabeth would go on to become Queen Elizabeth II in 1952.
1386: The Union of Krewo was signed between the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Kingdom of Poland, forming a personal union that would last for over 400 years.
The Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Kingdom of Poland agreed to a historic treaty on July 9, 1386, known as the Union of Krewo. The two nations entered into a personal union under the terms of the accord, meaning they would share a monarch but have independent governments, armies, and treasuries. The two nations' cultural, political, and economic ties deepened during the course of the union's more than 400-year existence. The Union of Krewo is regarded as a critical period in both the histories of Poland and Lithuania, and it had a significant impact on the political climate of Eastern Europe.
1816: Argentina declared independence from Spain with the issuing of the Argentine Declaration of Independence in Tucumán.
Representatives from the United Provinces of the Ro de la Plata (modern-day Argentina) signed the Argentine Declaration of Independence on July 9, 1816 at San Miguel de Tucumán, signaling their independence from Spain. The proclamation affirmed the people's inherent right to self-government and listed the justifications for breaking away from Spain, including the need for more economic and political freedom. The proclamation marked the end of a protracted battle for independence that had started some years earlier and had been characterized by several military operations and diplomatic deliberations. Argentina was able to establish itself as an independent state and pursue its own political, economic, and cultural goals thanks to the independence declaration.
1850: U.S. President Zachary Taylor died suddenly after only 16 months in office. His Vice President, Millard Fillmore, would take over the presidency.
Zachary Taylor, the 16-month-old president of the United States, passed very abruptly on July 9, 1850, while still in office. Later that day, Millard Fillmore, his vice president, became the presidency in his place. Taylor's abrupt passing left a number of crucial problems unaddressed, which led to a period of instability and political upheaval. However, throughout his tenure as president, Fillmore was able to establish some stability and is recognized for his role in resolving a number of significant legislative issues. Despite his achievements, Fillmore is frequently seen as a relatively unimpressive president who had trouble navigating the challenging political landscape of the day.
1896: William Jennings Bryan delivered his famous "Cross of Gold" speech at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, advocating for the free coinage of silver as a way to alleviate the economic struggles of farmers.
William Jennings Bryan made his renowned "Cross of Gold" address at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on July 9, 1896. Bryan, a former congressman from Nebraska, said in his speech that free silver coinage would benefit farmers and working-class Americans who were struggling economically. He said that the gold standard, which the American government had established in 1873, was a weapon of the affluent class and was causing economic inequity and suffering for many Americans. Bryan's selection as the Democratic nominee for president later that week was made possible by the speech, which energized the convention.Despite the fact that Bryan ultimately lost the election to William McKinley, a Republican, his "Cross of Gold" address established him as one of the most significant politicians of his day and became one of the most iconic political speeches in American history.
1947: The engagement of Britain's Princess Elizabeth to Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten was announced. They would later marry on November 20, 1947, and Elizabeth would become Queen Elizabeth II in 1952.
Princess Elizabeth, the future Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, and Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten, who would eventually become Prince Philip, were publicly proclaimed as engaged on July 9, 1947. Despite coming from quite different backgrounds—Philip was a Greek prince who had fled his homeland during World War II, while Elizabeth was a member of the British royal family—the couple had already been dating for a number of years when they first met. The news of their engagement was widely celebrated in Britain, and on November 20, 1947, the pair was wed at Westminster Abbey in London. The wedding was officiated by Elizabeth's father, King George VI, who had succeeded to the throne in 1936 following the abdication of his brother, King Edward VIII. After ruling for more than six decades and presiding over a time of profound upheaval and transition in both Britain and the rest of the globe, Elizabeth would go on to become one of the most adored and revered monarchs in British history.