Overview

January 9 has been a date of diverse and often world‑shaping events, ranging from medieval tragedies to modern political milestones. Below is a curated chronology that highlights the most frequently cited occurrences across centuries.

5th–14th Century

• 1349 – About 600 Jews, including their rabbi, are burned at the stake in France after being falsely accused of poisoning wells during the Black Death⁴.
• 1431 – The trial of Joan of Arc begins in Rouen, France⁷.

17th–18th Century

• 1693 – The first of two massive earthquakes devastates parts of Sicily and Malta⁴.
• 1760 – Ahmad Shah Durrani defeats the Marathas in the Battle of Barari Ghat (India)³.
• 1768 – Philip Astley opens the world’s first modern circus in London⁷.
• 1788 – Connecticut ratifies the U.S. Constitution, becoming the fifth American state⁷.
• 1793 – The first successful man‑filled hot‑air balloon flight takes place in Paris (Montgolfier brothers)⁷.

19th Century

• 1861 – Mississippi becomes the second state to secede from the Union, a key step toward the American Civil War¹.

20th Century

• 1916 – Allied forces complete their full retreat from the Gallipoli Peninsula, ending a disastrous World‑War‑I campaign³.
• 1951 – The first meeting of the World Health Organization is held in Geneva⁸ (mentioned by a single source).
• 2005 – The Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) is signed, ending Sudan’s second civil war and paving the way for South Sudan’s independence⁶⁸.

21st Century

• 2011 – South Sudan officially becomes an independent nation, a culmination of the 2005 CPA⁶.
• 2024 – Notable news: Israel shifts to a more targeted phase of its war against Hamas, and former U.S. President Donald Trump seeks judicial immunity in a federal election‑interference case⁵.

Selected Births & Deaths

• 1913 – Richard Nixon, 37th President of the United States, is born⁷.

How to Explore Further

For deeper dives, consult the listed sources, which provide detailed narratives, dates, and contextual analysis.