On This Day

Dendermonde nursery attack occurs in Dendermonde, Belgium

On 23 January 2009, a stabbing attack took place at Het Fabeltjesland daycare centre in Sint-Gillis-bij-Dendermonde, East Flanders, Belgium.

On 23 January 2009, a stabbing attack took place at Het Fabeltjesland daycare centre in Sint-Gillis-bij-Dendermonde, East Flanders, Belgium. Three people were killed, and twelve were injured in the attack. The perpetrator, 20-year-old Kim de Gelder, had killed an elderly woman in Beveren a week earlier and police have suggested he was plotting more nursery attacks. In 2013, de Gelder was sentenced to life imprisonment. The daycare centre where the initial attack occurred is expected never to reopen.

Historical Significance

On 23 January 2009, a stabbing attack took place at Het Fabeltjesland daycare centre in Sint-Gillis-bij-Dendermonde, East Flanders, Belgium.

Events Before

  1. A New Hampshire law legalizing civil unions for same-sex couples comes into effect

    A New Hampshire law legalizing civil unions for same-sex couples comes into effect

  2. Australian pop diva Natalie Imbruglia (32) and "Silverchair" frontman Daniel Johns (28) announce their divorce stating "

    Australian pop diva Natalie Imbruglia (32) and "Silverchair" frontman Daniel Johns (28) announce their divorce stating "we have simply grown apart through not being able to spend enough time together"

  3. "Breaking Bad," created by Vince Gilligan and starring Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul, premieres on AMC

    Breaking Bad is an American neo-Western crime drama television series created and produced by Vince Gilligan for AMC.

  4. Fears of a possible US recession cause a Black Monday for global stock markets, European stocks suffer their worst decli

    Fears of a possible US recession cause a Black Monday for global stock markets, European stocks suffer their worst decline since 9/11, and Asian stocks drop as much as 15%

  5. Toshiba announces its formal recall of its HD DVD video format, ending the format war with Sony's Blu-ray Disc

    Toshiba Corporation (株式会社東芝, Kabushikigaisha Tōshiba; English: ) is a Japanese multinational electronics company headquartered in Saiwai-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture.

Events After

  1. New FINA rules re competition swimsuits come into effect; all body-length swimsuits banned; men's suits to maximally cov

    New FINA rules re competition swimsuits come into effect; all body-length swimsuits banned; men's suits to maximally cover from the waist to knee, and women's from shoulder to knee; fabric must be a "textile" or woven material

  2. Earthquake devastates Haiti, killing an estimated 100,000 to 160,000 people and destroying the majority of the capital P

    Earthquake devastates Haiti, killing an estimated 100,000 to 160,000 people and destroying the majority of the capital Port-au-Prince

  3. "Easy Rider" director and actor Dennis Hopper (73) divorces his fifth wife Victoria Duffy due to irreconcilable differen

    "Easy Rider" director and actor Dennis Hopper (73) divorces his fifth wife Victoria Duffy due to irreconcilable differences and out-of-control spending

  4. Infanta Elena, Duchess of Lugo (46) divorces Lord of Tejada, Jaime de Marichalar (46) after 15 years of marriage

    Infanta Elena, Duchess of Lugo (46) divorces Lord of Tejada, Jaime de Marichalar (46) after 15 years of marriage

  5. Alexandre Bilodeau wins the gold medal in the freestyle skiing men's moguls event, becoming the first Canadian to win go

    Alexandre Bilodeau wins the gold medal in the freestyle skiing men's moguls event, becoming the first Canadian to win gold during an Olympic Games hosted in Canada

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Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on January 23, 2009?
On 23 January 2009, a stabbing attack took place at Het Fabeltjesland daycare centre in Sint-Gillis-bij-Dendermonde, East Flanders, Belgium. Three people were killed, and twelve were injured in the attack. The perpetrator, 20-year-old Kim de Gelder, had killed an elderly woman in Beveren a week earlier and police have suggested he was plotting more nursery attacks.
Why is Dendermonde nursery attack occurs in Dendermonde, Belgium significant?
On 23 January 2009, a stabbing attack took place at Het Fabeltjesland daycare centre in Sint-Gillis-bij-Dendermonde, East Flanders, Belgium.

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