Thursday, March 12, 2026

February 9th Anniversaries

Santo Domingo.- The ephemeris of the  February 9th, is marked by important historical events, international celebrations, births of influential figures and relevant events that left their mark on world history.

  • International Epilepsy Day
  • International Dentist Day
  • Dentist's Day, in Mexico
  • Toothache Day, in the United States
  • International Greek Language Day

Saint's Day: Saint Apollonia, Saint Maron, Saint Miguel Febres Cordero, Saint Sabinus of Canosa.

National: February 09th Anniversaries

1822 – Beginning of the Haitian Occupation:
Haitian General Jean Pierre Boyer entered the city of Santo Domingo and settled in the Government Palace, marking the beginning of the Haitian occupation of the eastern part of the island, which lasted for 22 years.

1822 – San Cristóbal elevated to “Común”:
That same day, San Cristóbal was elevated to the category of commune, with the priest Juan de Jesús Fabián Ayala as its first parish priest.

1823 – Birth of Ulises Francisco Espaillat:
Ulises Francisco Espaillat was born in Santiago de los Caballeros, who would be a prominent political figure, former president of the Republic, merchant and Dominican writer.

1586 – Pirate Francis Drake's Departure:
On this historic date, the pirate Francis Drake left the city of Santo Domingo after a month of occupation and looting, after collecting a large ransom.

1962 – First University Claustro of the UASD:
The authorities of the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD) announced the names of the 43 students selected to be part of its first University Claustro.

1962 – Creation of the Dominican Air Force:
That same day, the Dominican Air Force was officially established, evolving from the former Dominican Military Aviation.

International: February 9th Anniversaries

1773 – William Henry Harrison, 9th President of the United States, was born in Virginia.

1895Volleyball is founded in the United States, created by William G. Morgan as an alternative to basketball.

1922 – Brazil becomes the first country to officially broadcast radio in Latin America.

1934 – The animated film “The Donald Duck” premieres in the United States, one of Disney's most iconic characters.

1950 – Senator Joseph McCarthy begins the so-called anti-communist “witch hunt” in the United States.

1969 – The Boeing 747, known as the “Jumbo,” makes its inaugural flight, revolutionizing worldwide air transport.

1986 – The Halley's Comet reaches its closest point to Earth during its orbital passage.

1991 – The first democratic municipal elections are held in Chile after the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet.

2009 – The Iridium 33 satellite collides with the Russian satellite Kosmos 2251, the first accidental collision between satellites in orbit.

2020Kobe Bryant, NBA basketball legend, dies in a plane crash that occurred days before (global ceremonies and tributes continue this day).

Births: February 9th Anniversaries

  • 1060: Honorius II, pope of the Catholic Church
  • 1548: Giordano Bruno, Italian philosopher
  • 1773: William Henry Harrison, President of the United States in 1841
  • 1801: José Joaquín Pesado, Mexican writer
  • 1846: Wilhelm Maybach, German engineer
  • 1932: Gerhard Richter, German artist
  • 1942: Carole King, American singer-songwriter
  • 1943: Joseph Stiglitz, American economist and writer, Nobel Prize in Economics 2001
  • 1968Alejandra Guzmán, Mexican singer
  • 1987Michael B. Jordan, American actor

Death: February 9th Anniversaries

  • 1881: Fyodor Dostoevsky, Russian novelist
  • 1913: Bernardo Reyes, Mexican military and politician
  • 1981: Bill Haley, American musician
  • 1984: Yuri Andropov, Soviet politician
  • 1989: Osamu Tezuka, Japanese comic artist and animator
  • 1994: Howard Martin Temin, American virologist, Nobel Prize in Medicine
  • 2007: Alejandro Finisterre, inventor of table football and editor
  • 2009: Orlando “Cachaíto” López, Cuban bassist, from the Buena Vista Social Club band
  • 2021: Chick Corea, American jazz pianist and keyboardist
  • 2022: Ian McDonald, British musician

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