On 9 January in poetry and history
Poets born or who died on this date, plus historical events that happened on this day across history.
610 poets with calendar dates · 6,535 events with calendar dates in the catalogue
4 birthdays · 1 death anniversary · 9 world events on 9 January
Birthdays
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John Scott
9 January 1730 – 12 December 1783 (~53)
Born 9 January 1730 — would have been 296 in 2026
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William Johnson Cory
9 January 1823 – 11 June 1892 (~69)
Born 9 January 1823 — would have been 203 in 2026
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Lizette Woodworth Reese
9 January 1856 – 17 December 1935 (~79)
Born 9 January 1856 — would have been 170 in 2026
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Lascelles Abercrombie
9 January 1881 – 27 October 1938 (~57)
Born 9 January 1881 — would have been 145 in 2026
Death anniversaries
World events on this day
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The Jingkang Incident and the Devastating Collapse of the Northern Song Dynasty
In a catastrophic military disaster, the Jurchen armies of the Jin Dynasty besieged and sacked Kaifeng, the capital of the Northern Song Dynasty. The Jin forces captured Emperor Qinzong, his retired father Emperor Huizong, and thousands of imperial courtiers, artisans, and scholars, dragging them into captivity in Manchuria. This traumatic event brought an abrupt end to the Northern Song, forcing the remnants of the imperial court to flee south across the Yangtze River to establish the Southern Song Dynasty at Lin'an (Hangzhou).
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iPhone Introduction
Apple Inc. introduced the iPhone at Macworld in San Francisco, California, United States, combining phone, internet communicator, and iPod into a touchscreen device with multi-touch interface. The iPhone's app ecosystem, launched with the App Store in 2008, transformed smartphones from communication tools into versatile computing platforms. This convergence of technologies in pocket-sized devices fundamentally changed how people access information, navigate space, maintain relationships, and consume media, accelerating mobile-first digital culture.
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The iPhone is Announced, Revolutionizing Touchscreen Interfaces
On January 9, 2007, Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveiled the iPhone at the Macworld conference in San Francisco, California. The device featured a large, multi-touch screen and a user-friendly interface that eliminated the need for a stylus. Its release in June of that year kicked off the smartphone revolution, fundamentally changing how people interact with technology and information.
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Jurchen Conquest of Northern China
In 1127, the Jurchen Jin Dynasty captured the Song capital of Kaifeng in the Jingkang Incident, ending the Northern Song Dynasty and forcing the Song court to flee south, establishing the Southern Song Dynasty with its capital at Lin'an (modern Hangzhou). This catastrophic event divided China politically and culturally for over a century.
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First Balloon Flight in America
On January 9, 1793, French aeronaut Jean-Pierre Blanchard made the first balloon flight in North America, ascending from Philadelphia's Walnut Street Prison yard before President George Washington and other dignitaries. His hydrogen balloon flight demonstrated the new technology to American audiences and established ballooning as a popular form of public entertainment in the young nation.
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The Great Earthquake of 1857 in Fort Tejon
On January 9, 1857 CE, a powerful earthquake, estimated at magnitude 7.9, struck the Fort Tejon region of California. This was one of the largest earthquakes in California's history and caused significant damage. The earthquake was a major event on the San Andreas Fault and is a key subject of scientific study.
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Murder of William Weare
The murder of William Weare in 1823 by John Thurtell and his accomplices became infamous in England, particularly due to its connections to the world of prize-fighting. Weare, a gambler, was killed near Watford, and the case attracted significant media attention, highlighting the darker aspects of gambling culture at the time. This crime and its sensational trial reflected societal issues surrounding violence, morality, and the legal system in early 19th-century England.
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Execution of John Thurtell for the Murder of William Weare
John Thurtell was executed in 1824 for the brutal murder of gambler William Weare, a case that captivated the public and drew massive crowds to the execution. The trial and its sensational details reflected the growing interest in crime and justice in early 19th-century England. Thurtell's case also highlighted issues of class and morality, as it was widely discussed in the press and among the public.
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First Autogyro Flight
In 1923, Juan de la Cierva achieved the first successful flight of an autogyro, a revolutionary aircraft design featuring rotating wings. This innovation marked a significant advancement in aviation technology, offering greater stability and control compared to traditional fixed-wing aircraft. The autogyro's design laid the groundwork for future developments in rotorcraft and contributed to the evolution of modern aviation.