Explore the major historical events, famous births, and notable deaths that occurred in the year 2009. This year saw 132 significant events. 4 notable figures passed away.
A fireworks accident and nightclub fire occurred on 1 January 2009 in the Santika Club in Ekkamai, Watthana, Bangkok, where New Year celebrations were taking place.
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, nicknamed CR7, is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a forward for and captains both Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr and the Portugal national team.
Chesley Sullenberger lands US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River shortly after takeoff from LaGuardia Airport in NYC. All passengers and crew survive in what becomes known as the "Miracle on the Hudson."
Barack Obama is inaugurated as the 44th president of the United States, becoming the first African American to hold the office. Joe Biden becomes the 47th Vice President.
International Criminal Court issues an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur, becoming the first sitting head of state to be indicted
Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, simply known as Neymar Júnior (shortened to Neymar Jr) or mononymously as Neymar, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or a...
"Dawson's Creek" actor Kerr Smith (37) divorces actress Harmoni Everett (34) due to irreconcilable differences after 6 years of marriage
American actor Michael Biehn (52) weds third wife, American actress Jennifer Blanc (35)
Chrysler Chapter 11 reorganization was the petition for bankruptcy on April 30, 2009 of Chrysler car company and 24 of its affiliated subsidiaries with the federal bankruptcy court in New York.
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam are defeated by the Sri Lankan government, ending the Sri Lankan Civil War and almost 26 years of fighting between the two sides
"Lost" actress Emilie de Ravin (27) divorces actor Josh Janowicz (27) after three years of marriage
Elizabeth Watson (39) divorces MLB home run record holder Barry Bonds (44) due to irreconcilable differences after 11 years of marriage
The World Health Organization declares H1N1 swine flu to be a global pandemic, the first such incident in over forty years
"Malcolm in the Middle" actress Jane Kaczmarek (53) divorces actor Bradley Whitford (49) after 16 years of marriage
Wimbledon Men's Tennis: Roger Federer beats Andy Roddick of the US 5-7, 7-6, 7-6, 3-6, 16-14 for a record 15th Grand Slam singles title
Actress Rachael Bella (25) divorces "Terminator 2" actor Eddie Furlong (31) due to irreconcilable differences after 3 years of marriage
"Tik Tok" (stylized as TiK ToK) is the debut solo single by American singer Kesha, who co-wrote the song with its producers Dr. Luke and Benny Blanco.
American actor Eddie Cibrian (36) divorces TV personality Brandi Glanville (35) due to irreconcilable differences
Blake Fielder-Civil (27) divorces British Grammy award-winning singer Amy Winehouse (25) due to adultery after 2 years of marriage
90s pop sensation singer Peter Andre (36) divorces glamour model Katie Price (31) due to unreasonable behaviour after 3 years of marriage
R&B singer Usher (30) divorces hair stylist and wardrobe stylist Tameka Foster (38) due to irretrievably broken marriage after 2 years
"The Twilight Saga: New Moon", based on the book by Stephenie Meyer, directed by Chris Weitz, starring Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, premieres in Los Angeles
James Cameron's "Avatar" starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana and Sigourney Weaver, released in the US, becomes highest-grossing film of all time
The Gaza War, also known as the First Gaza War, Operation Cast Lead, or the Gaza Massacre, and referred to as the Battle of al-Furqan by Hamas, was a three-week armed conflict between Gaza Strip...
Phil Taylor, with a 7–1 victory in the final over Dutchman Raymond van Barneveld wins his 12th PDC World Darts title, his 14th in all; his 110.94 average remains a record for the PDC World Darts Championship final
The Gaza War, also known as the First Gaza War, Operation Cast Lead, or the Gaza Massacre, and referred to as the Battle of al-Furqan by Hamas, was a three-week armed conflict between Gaza Strip...
A 6.2 magnitude earthquake hit Costa Rica´s region of Volcan Poás, with an epicenter near Cinchona. It was caused by Varablanca-Angel fault.
Global shipping experiences a drop in trade, as exports from South Korea dropping an annualised 30%, with Taiwan and Japan experiencing a 42% and 27% drop respectively
On 23 January 2009, a stabbing attack took place at Het Fabeltjesland daycare centre in Sint-Gillis-bij-Dendermonde, East Flanders, Belgium.
In December 2008, then-Democratic Governor of Illinois Rod Blagojevich and his Chief of Staff John Harris were charged with corruption by federal prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald.
In Kenya, at least 113 people are killed and over 200 injured following an oil spillage ignition in Molo, days after a massive fire at a Nakumatt supermarket in Nairobi killed at least 25 people.
Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir is elected as the first female Prime Minister of Iceland, becoming the first openly gay Head of Government in the modern world
The United States Navy guided missile cruiser Port Royal runs aground off Oahu, Hawaii, damaging the ship as well as a coral reef
Bushfires in Australia are a widespread and regular occurrence that have contributed significantly to shaping the nature of the continent over millions of years.
Colgan Air Flight 3407 was a scheduled passenger flight from Newark, New Jersey, to Buffalo, New York, on February 12, 2009.
The European recession is part of the Great Recession that began in mid-2007. The crisis spread rapidly and affected much of the region, with several countries already in recession as of February...
51st Daytona 500: Matt Kenseth wins shortened race; called off with 48 laps to go after a severe rainstorm hits the track
Bangladesh Rifles stage a mutiny in Pilkhana, Dhaka, taking over the Border Guards headquarters and killing 57 army officers and 17 civilians
Yugoslav Army General Nebojsa Pavkovic is convicted of committing crimes against humanity during the Kosovo War and sentenced to 22 years in prison [1]
Statistics Finland informs that Finland's gross domestic product diminished by 1.3% in the last quarter of 2008 from the previous quarter
Steven Holcomb pilots USA-1 sled to victory in the 4-man competition at the World Bobsled Championships at Mt Van Hoevenberg, NY; first American win in the event in 50 years
The Historical Archive of the City of Cologne (German: Historisches Archiv der Stadt Köln, or Kölner Stadtarchiv for short) is the municipal archive of Cologne, Germany.
The Winnenden school shooting occurred on the morning of 11 March 2009 at the Albertville-Realschule, a real school in Winnenden, a town in the Rems-Murr district of Baden-Württemberg in southwestern...
Canterbury winger Hazem El Masri becomes highest point scorer in Australian Rugby League history; 33rd minute penalty in Bulldogs' 34-12 win over Manly at ANZ Stadium, Sydney takes him to 2,178; Andrew Johns, 2,176
Mount Redoubt, a volcano in Alaska began erupting after a prolonged period of unrest
Gay dating site Grindr launched by Joel Simkhai, first ever dating application to combine dating information and location
Situ Gintung, an artificial lake in Indonesia, fails, killing at least 99 people
"Boom Boom Pow" single released by The Black Eyed Peas (Grammy Award for Best Music Video 2010, Billboard Song of the Year 2009)
NATO is a military alliance of thirty-two European and North American countries that constitutes a system of collective defense.
The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP or DOTROIP) is a legally non-binding United Nations resolution passed by the General Assembly on September 13, 2007, that delineates and...
North Korea launches its controversial Kwangmyŏngsŏng-2 rocket. The satellite passed over mainland Japan, which prompted an immediate reaction from the United Nations Security Council, as well as participating states of Six-party talks
Even though official government sources state that Argentina's GDP will actually grow this year, private consulting firms state that Argentine economy has actually been in recession since October 2008
Gamma ray burst (GRB) 090423 is observed for 10 seconds, the most distant object of any kind and also the oldest known object in the universe
Carol Ann Duffy is appointed British Poet Laureate - first Scot and woman Laureate
Marcel "Marco" van Basten] ; born 31 October 1964) is a Dutch former football manager and player who played as a striker for Ajax and AC Milan, as well as the Netherlands national team.
An American soldier in Iraq opened fire on a counseling center at Camp Liberty in Bagdhad, leaving 5 other US soldiers dead and 3 soldiers wounded
The development of the 2011 sandbox game Minecraft spans over 16 years and multiple major updates.
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE; Tamil: தமிழீழ விடுதலைப் புலிகள், romanized: Tamiḻīḻa viṭutalaip pulikaḷ, Sinhala: දෙමළ ඊලාම් විමුක්ති කොටි සංවිධානය, romanized: Demaḷa īlām vimukti koṭi...
Mexico, officially the United Mexican States, is a country in North America. It is the northernmost country in Latin America and borders the United States to the north, and Guatemala and Belize to...
The White Ribbon (German: Das Weiße Band - Eine Deutsche Kindergeschichte, lit. 'The White Ribbon - A German Children's Story') is a 2009 German mystery drama film written and directed by Michael...
North Korea has tested numerous missiles since 1984. North Korea has tested short-range ballistic missile (SRBMs), intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBMs), intercontinental ballistic missiles...
The European recession is part of the Great Recession that began in mid-2007. The crisis spread rapidly and affected much of the region, with several countries already in recession as of February...
Super Rugby Final, Pretoria: Morné Steyn kicks 5 conversions & 2 penalties as the Bulls thump the Chiefs (Waikato, NZ), 61-17
Air France Flight 447 crashes into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Brazil on a flight from Rio de Janeiro to Paris. All 228 passengers and crew were killed.
The Great Recession was a period of market decline in economies around the world that occurred from late 2007 to mid-2009, overlapping with the closely related 2008 financial crisis.
At least 32 people are killed in Peru during clashes between the police and indigenous protesters
The 63rd Annual Tony Awards, which recognized Broadway productions of the 2008-2009 season, were presented on June 7, 2009 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
First section of the elevated High Line park, built on an old railway opens in New York from Gansevoort Street to 20th Street
The Great Recession was a period of market decline in economies around the world that occurred from late 2007 to mid-2009, overlapping with the closely related 2008 financial crisis.
The Great Recession was a period of market decline in economies around the world that occurred from late 2007 to mid-2009, overlapping with the closely related 2008 financial crisis.
After incumbent president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad declared victory in the 2009 Iranian presidential election, protests broke out in major cities across Iran in support of opposition candidates...
ICC Men's Cricket T20 World Cup, Lord's, London: Pakistan wins their first title beating Sri Lanka by 8 wickets; Player of the Series: Sri Lankan all-rounder Tillakaratne Dilshan (317 runs)
During the afternoon rush hour of June 22, 2009, a subway train wreck occurred between two southbound Red Line Washington Metro trains in Northeast Washington, D.C., United States.
Colombia enters into recession after witnessing 0.7% contraction in the last quarter of 2008 and 0.6% in the following quarter
The Tower of Hercules in northern Spain - only preserved Roman lighthouse still in use is inscribed as a World Heritage Site [1]
Turkey records its fastest contraction of 13.8% in the first quarter of 2009 compared to 2008, leading the country into recession; this is Turkey's biggest economic slump since 1945
Mark II.5 SkyTrain cars enter service in Metro Vancouver
A series of violent riots over several days broke out on 5 July 2009 in Ürümqi, the capital city of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, in northwestern China.
Jadranka Kosor is a Croatian politician and former journalist who served as Prime Minister of Croatia from 2009 to 2011, having taken office following the sudden resignation of her predecessor Ivo...
Jakarta double bombings at the JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton Hotels killed 9 people including 4 foreigners
The Lin family murders occurred in North Epping in the northwestern suburbs of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, on 18 July 2009.
Mark Buehrle of the Chicago White Sox becomes the 18th pitcher to throw a perfect game in MLB history, defeating Tampa Bay Rays 5-0
FINA Congress votes to ban all body-length swimsuits; men's suits to cover from the waist to the knee, and women's from shoulder to knee; fabric must be a "textile" or woven material; effective 1 January 2010
The climate of Seattle is temperate, classified in the warm-summer (in contrast to hot-summer) subtype of the Mediterranean zone by the most common climate classification (Köppen: Csb) although some...
A bomb explodes in Palma Nova, Mallorca, killing two police officers. Basque separatist group ETA is believed to be responsible.
Lady A, known until 2020 as Lady Antebellum, is an American country music group formed in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2006.
Portugal leaves recession after three consecutive quarters of negative growth, with its GDP recovering by 0.3% in the second quarter of 2009
The August 2009 Baghdad bombings were three coordinated car bomb attacks and a number of mortar strikes in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, on 19 August 2009.
The Tradition Senior Men's Golf, Crosswater Club: Mike Reid wins his second Champions Tour major with birdie on first playoff hole against John Cook
Kenneth Mobley "Lee" Brice Jr. is an country music singer and songwriter, signed to Curb Records.
Pedro Jaime Martínez is a Dominican-American former professional baseball starting pitcher who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1992 to 2009 for five teams—most notably the Boston Red Sox...
Denmark celebrates the first national Flag Day in memory of the fallen Danes in international operations since 1948
The Great Recession was a period of market decline in economies around the world that occurred from late 2007 to mid-2009, overlapping with the closely related 2008 financial crisis.
Sweden emerges from the recession after witnessing GDP growth of 0.2% in the second quarter
Glenn Beck's 9-12 Project organizes multiple marches and demonstrations across the USA to protest government spending
Guiding Light (known as The Guiding Light before 1975) is an American daytime soap opera.
World Bamboo Organization celebrates the first World Bamboo Day to raise awareness about bamboo's contributions to sustainability [1]
Macedonia officially enters the recession after experiencing a drop in GDP of 0.9% in the first quarter, followed by 1.4% in the second quarter
Typhoon Ketsana hits the Philippines, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand, causing 956 deaths and $6.2 billion in damage
The military junta leading Guinea, headed by Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, sexually assaults, kills, and wounds protesters during a protest rally at Stade du 28 Septembre
The 2009 Samoa earthquake and tsunami took place on 29 September 2009 in the southern Pacific Ocean adjacent to the Tonga–Kermadec subduction zone.
George Papandreou's Panhellenic Socialist Movement defeats Greece's governing New Democracy party in an electoral landslide.
Australia wins cricket's Champions Trophy at Centurion Park in Gauteng, South Africa, by 6 wickets (with 28 balls remaining) against New Zealand; chasing 200, Shane Watson is 105 not out in Australia's 206/4
The Lunar Precursor Robotic Program (LPRP) is a NASA program that uses robotic spacecraft to prepare for future crewed missions to the Moon.
After closing borders for nearly 200 years, Armenia and Turkey sign protocols in Zurich to reopen their borders
British Mercedes driver Jenson Button finishes fifth in the Brazilian Grand Prix at Autódromo José Carlos Pace to clinch his first F1 World Drivers' Championship
Quarterback Tom Brady throws five second quarter touchdowns against the Tennessee Titans, an NFL record for touchdown passes in one quarter
The UK markets had contracted by 0.4% in the third quarter against what was expected to be a period of growth, as a result of unexpectedly poor performance by the service sector
First International Day of Climate Action, organized with 350.org, a global campaign to address a claimed global warming crisis
The 25 October 2009 Baghdad bombings were attacks in Baghdad, Iraq which killed 155 people and injured at least 721 people.
Ares I was the crew launch vehicle that was being developed by NASA as part of the Constellation program. The name "Ares" refers to the Greek deity Ares, who is identified with the Roman god Mars.
US Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan (US Army Medical Corps) killed 13 and wounded 43 at Fort Hood, Texas in the largest mass shooting ever at a US military installation.
Mapungubwe Interpretation Centre in South Africa, designed by Peter Rich, wins World Building of the Year at the World Architecture Festival in Barcelona
Jerry Sloan becomes the first coach in NBA history with 1,000 wins for one team after defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder
The World Series of Poker (WSOP) is a series of poker tournaments held annually in Paradise, Nevada, and since 2004, sponsored by Caesars Entertainment.
Miranda is a British television sitcom written by and starring the eponymous comedian Miranda Hart. It originally aired on BBC Two from 9 November 2009, and later on BBC One.
Germany's growth of 0.7% in the third quarter helps lead the Eurozone out of the recession after providing overall growth of 0.4% in the same period, with the whole European Union growing 0.2%, it is reported today
The National Statistical Service of Greece states that the country has been in recession since the beginning of the year
The Mexican government declares its economy technically out of recession after 2.93% GDP growth in the third quarter of 2009; Mexico had been in a severe economic crisis for over a year prior to its economic rebound
Fela! is a jukebox musical with a book by Bill T. Jones and Jim Lewis, based on music and lyrics by the late Nigerian singer Fela Kuti, with additional music by Aaron Johnson and Jordan McLean and...
Flooding in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; powerful storm brings 3 years worth of rain in 4 hours, killing over 150 people and sweeping thousands of cars away during Hajj
Canada begins its recovery from the recession; economic growth is at 0.4% after 14 months of economic stagnation
Patrick Timothy Kane II is an American professional ice hockey player who is a right winger for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League (NHL).
Montreal Canadiens retire Hall of Fame center Elmer Lach's jersey (No. 16), as part of team's centennial celebration
PBS News Hour is an American daily evening television news program broadcast on over 350 PBS member stations since October 20, 1975.
The December 2009 Baghdad bombings were attacks in Baghdad, Iraq, which resulted in the deaths of at least 127 people and injuries to at least 448 more.
Angry Birds, a Finnish puzzle video game, is released internationally and becomes a massive global success
75th Heisman Trophy Award: Mark Ingram, Jr., Alabama (RB)
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is an American wide-body airliner developed and manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
Gareth Thomas is a Welsh former professional rugby union and rugby league player, who represented Wales in both codes.
The World Health Organization says 208 countries, territories and communities have reported H1N1 cases, including at least 12,220 deaths
43 people die in a suicide bombing in Karachi, Pakistan, as Shia Muslims observe the Day of Ashura
Paul Harvey, American radio broadcaster, known for american radio broadcaster, died on 2009-02-28.
Natasha Richardson, English actress, known for british actress, died on 2009-03-18. Natasha Jane Richardson (11 May 1963 – 18 March 2009) was an English actress.
Michael Jackson, American singer, known for american singer, died on 2009-06-25. Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and…
William Safire, American journalist and presidential speechwriter, known for american journalist and presidential speechwriter, died on 2009-09-27.
A fireworks accident and nightclub fire occurred on 1 January 2009 in the Santika Club in Ekkamai, Watthana, Bangkok, where New Year celebrations were taking place.
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, nicknamed CR7, is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a forward for and captains both Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr and the Portugal national team.
Chesley Sullenberger lands US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River shortly after takeoff from LaGuardia Airport in NYC. All passengers and crew survive in what becomes known as the "Miracle on the Hudson."
Barack Obama is inaugurated as the 44th president of the United States, becoming the first African American to hold the office. Joe Biden becomes the 47th Vice President.
International Criminal Court issues an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur, becoming the first sitting head of state to be indicted
Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, simply known as Neymar Júnior (shortened to Neymar Jr) or mononymously as Neymar, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or a...
"Dawson's Creek" actor Kerr Smith (37) divorces actress Harmoni Everett (34) due to irreconcilable differences after 6 years of marriage
American actor Michael Biehn (52) weds third wife, American actress Jennifer Blanc (35)
Chrysler Chapter 11 reorganization was the petition for bankruptcy on April 30, 2009 of Chrysler car company and 24 of its affiliated subsidiaries with the federal bankruptcy court in New York.
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam are defeated by the Sri Lankan government, ending the Sri Lankan Civil War and almost 26 years of fighting between the two sides
"Lost" actress Emilie de Ravin (27) divorces actor Josh Janowicz (27) after three years of marriage
Elizabeth Watson (39) divorces MLB home run record holder Barry Bonds (44) due to irreconcilable differences after 11 years of marriage
The World Health Organization declares H1N1 swine flu to be a global pandemic, the first such incident in over forty years
"Malcolm in the Middle" actress Jane Kaczmarek (53) divorces actor Bradley Whitford (49) after 16 years of marriage
Wimbledon Men's Tennis: Roger Federer beats Andy Roddick of the US 5-7, 7-6, 7-6, 3-6, 16-14 for a record 15th Grand Slam singles title
Actress Rachael Bella (25) divorces "Terminator 2" actor Eddie Furlong (31) due to irreconcilable differences after 3 years of marriage
"Tik Tok" (stylized as TiK ToK) is the debut solo single by American singer Kesha, who co-wrote the song with its producers Dr. Luke and Benny Blanco.
American actor Eddie Cibrian (36) divorces TV personality Brandi Glanville (35) due to irreconcilable differences
Blake Fielder-Civil (27) divorces British Grammy award-winning singer Amy Winehouse (25) due to adultery after 2 years of marriage
90s pop sensation singer Peter Andre (36) divorces glamour model Katie Price (31) due to unreasonable behaviour after 3 years of marriage
R&B singer Usher (30) divorces hair stylist and wardrobe stylist Tameka Foster (38) due to irretrievably broken marriage after 2 years
"The Twilight Saga: New Moon", based on the book by Stephenie Meyer, directed by Chris Weitz, starring Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, premieres in Los Angeles
James Cameron's "Avatar" starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana and Sigourney Weaver, released in the US, becomes highest-grossing film of all time
The Gaza War, also known as the First Gaza War, Operation Cast Lead, or the Gaza Massacre, and referred to as the Battle of al-Furqan by Hamas, was a three-week armed conflict between Gaza Strip...
Phil Taylor, with a 7–1 victory in the final over Dutchman Raymond van Barneveld wins his 12th PDC World Darts title, his 14th in all; his 110.94 average remains a record for the PDC World Darts Championship final
The Gaza War, also known as the First Gaza War, Operation Cast Lead, or the Gaza Massacre, and referred to as the Battle of al-Furqan by Hamas, was a three-week armed conflict between Gaza Strip...
A 6.2 magnitude earthquake hit Costa Rica´s region of Volcan Poás, with an epicenter near Cinchona. It was caused by Varablanca-Angel fault.
Global shipping experiences a drop in trade, as exports from South Korea dropping an annualised 30%, with Taiwan and Japan experiencing a 42% and 27% drop respectively
On 23 January 2009, a stabbing attack took place at Het Fabeltjesland daycare centre in Sint-Gillis-bij-Dendermonde, East Flanders, Belgium.
In December 2008, then-Democratic Governor of Illinois Rod Blagojevich and his Chief of Staff John Harris were charged with corruption by federal prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald.
In Kenya, at least 113 people are killed and over 200 injured following an oil spillage ignition in Molo, days after a massive fire at a Nakumatt supermarket in Nairobi killed at least 25 people.
Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir is elected as the first female Prime Minister of Iceland, becoming the first openly gay Head of Government in the modern world
The United States Navy guided missile cruiser Port Royal runs aground off Oahu, Hawaii, damaging the ship as well as a coral reef
Bushfires in Australia are a widespread and regular occurrence that have contributed significantly to shaping the nature of the continent over millions of years.
Colgan Air Flight 3407 was a scheduled passenger flight from Newark, New Jersey, to Buffalo, New York, on February 12, 2009.
The European recession is part of the Great Recession that began in mid-2007. The crisis spread rapidly and affected much of the region, with several countries already in recession as of February...
51st Daytona 500: Matt Kenseth wins shortened race; called off with 48 laps to go after a severe rainstorm hits the track
Bangladesh Rifles stage a mutiny in Pilkhana, Dhaka, taking over the Border Guards headquarters and killing 57 army officers and 17 civilians
Yugoslav Army General Nebojsa Pavkovic is convicted of committing crimes against humanity during the Kosovo War and sentenced to 22 years in prison [1]
Statistics Finland informs that Finland's gross domestic product diminished by 1.3% in the last quarter of 2008 from the previous quarter
Steven Holcomb pilots USA-1 sled to victory in the 4-man competition at the World Bobsled Championships at Mt Van Hoevenberg, NY; first American win in the event in 50 years
The Historical Archive of the City of Cologne (German: Historisches Archiv der Stadt Köln, or Kölner Stadtarchiv for short) is the municipal archive of Cologne, Germany.
The Winnenden school shooting occurred on the morning of 11 March 2009 at the Albertville-Realschule, a real school in Winnenden, a town in the Rems-Murr district of Baden-Württemberg in southwestern...
Canterbury winger Hazem El Masri becomes highest point scorer in Australian Rugby League history; 33rd minute penalty in Bulldogs' 34-12 win over Manly at ANZ Stadium, Sydney takes him to 2,178; Andrew Johns, 2,176
Mount Redoubt, a volcano in Alaska began erupting after a prolonged period of unrest
Gay dating site Grindr launched by Joel Simkhai, first ever dating application to combine dating information and location
Situ Gintung, an artificial lake in Indonesia, fails, killing at least 99 people
"Boom Boom Pow" single released by The Black Eyed Peas (Grammy Award for Best Music Video 2010, Billboard Song of the Year 2009)
NATO is a military alliance of thirty-two European and North American countries that constitutes a system of collective defense.
The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP or DOTROIP) is a legally non-binding United Nations resolution passed by the General Assembly on September 13, 2007, that delineates and...
North Korea launches its controversial Kwangmyŏngsŏng-2 rocket. The satellite passed over mainland Japan, which prompted an immediate reaction from the United Nations Security Council, as well as participating states of Six-party talks
Even though official government sources state that Argentina's GDP will actually grow this year, private consulting firms state that Argentine economy has actually been in recession since October 2008
Gamma ray burst (GRB) 090423 is observed for 10 seconds, the most distant object of any kind and also the oldest known object in the universe
Carol Ann Duffy is appointed British Poet Laureate - first Scot and woman Laureate
Marcel "Marco" van Basten] ; born 31 October 1964) is a Dutch former football manager and player who played as a striker for Ajax and AC Milan, as well as the Netherlands national team.
An American soldier in Iraq opened fire on a counseling center at Camp Liberty in Bagdhad, leaving 5 other US soldiers dead and 3 soldiers wounded
The development of the 2011 sandbox game Minecraft spans over 16 years and multiple major updates.
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE; Tamil: தமிழீழ விடுதலைப் புலிகள், romanized: Tamiḻīḻa viṭutalaip pulikaḷ, Sinhala: දෙමළ ඊලාම් විමුක්ති කොටි සංවිධානය, romanized: Demaḷa īlām vimukti koṭi...
Mexico, officially the United Mexican States, is a country in North America. It is the northernmost country in Latin America and borders the United States to the north, and Guatemala and Belize to...
The White Ribbon (German: Das Weiße Band - Eine Deutsche Kindergeschichte, lit. 'The White Ribbon - A German Children's Story') is a 2009 German mystery drama film written and directed by Michael...
North Korea has tested numerous missiles since 1984. North Korea has tested short-range ballistic missile (SRBMs), intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBMs), intercontinental ballistic missiles...
The European recession is part of the Great Recession that began in mid-2007. The crisis spread rapidly and affected much of the region, with several countries already in recession as of February...
Super Rugby Final, Pretoria: Morné Steyn kicks 5 conversions & 2 penalties as the Bulls thump the Chiefs (Waikato, NZ), 61-17
Air France Flight 447 crashes into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Brazil on a flight from Rio de Janeiro to Paris. All 228 passengers and crew were killed.
The Great Recession was a period of market decline in economies around the world that occurred from late 2007 to mid-2009, overlapping with the closely related 2008 financial crisis.
At least 32 people are killed in Peru during clashes between the police and indigenous protesters
The 63rd Annual Tony Awards, which recognized Broadway productions of the 2008-2009 season, were presented on June 7, 2009 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
First section of the elevated High Line park, built on an old railway opens in New York from Gansevoort Street to 20th Street
The Great Recession was a period of market decline in economies around the world that occurred from late 2007 to mid-2009, overlapping with the closely related 2008 financial crisis.
The Great Recession was a period of market decline in economies around the world that occurred from late 2007 to mid-2009, overlapping with the closely related 2008 financial crisis.
After incumbent president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad declared victory in the 2009 Iranian presidential election, protests broke out in major cities across Iran in support of opposition candidates...
ICC Men's Cricket T20 World Cup, Lord's, London: Pakistan wins their first title beating Sri Lanka by 8 wickets; Player of the Series: Sri Lankan all-rounder Tillakaratne Dilshan (317 runs)
During the afternoon rush hour of June 22, 2009, a subway train wreck occurred between two southbound Red Line Washington Metro trains in Northeast Washington, D.C., United States.
Colombia enters into recession after witnessing 0.7% contraction in the last quarter of 2008 and 0.6% in the following quarter
The Tower of Hercules in northern Spain - only preserved Roman lighthouse still in use is inscribed as a World Heritage Site [1]
Turkey records its fastest contraction of 13.8% in the first quarter of 2009 compared to 2008, leading the country into recession; this is Turkey's biggest economic slump since 1945
Mark II.5 SkyTrain cars enter service in Metro Vancouver
A series of violent riots over several days broke out on 5 July 2009 in Ürümqi, the capital city of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, in northwestern China.
Jadranka Kosor is a Croatian politician and former journalist who served as Prime Minister of Croatia from 2009 to 2011, having taken office following the sudden resignation of her predecessor Ivo...
Jakarta double bombings at the JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton Hotels killed 9 people including 4 foreigners
The Lin family murders occurred in North Epping in the northwestern suburbs of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, on 18 July 2009.
Mark Buehrle of the Chicago White Sox becomes the 18th pitcher to throw a perfect game in MLB history, defeating Tampa Bay Rays 5-0
FINA Congress votes to ban all body-length swimsuits; men's suits to cover from the waist to the knee, and women's from shoulder to knee; fabric must be a "textile" or woven material; effective 1 January 2010
The climate of Seattle is temperate, classified in the warm-summer (in contrast to hot-summer) subtype of the Mediterranean zone by the most common climate classification (Köppen: Csb) although some...
A bomb explodes in Palma Nova, Mallorca, killing two police officers. Basque separatist group ETA is believed to be responsible.
Lady A, known until 2020 as Lady Antebellum, is an American country music group formed in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2006.
Portugal leaves recession after three consecutive quarters of negative growth, with its GDP recovering by 0.3% in the second quarter of 2009
The August 2009 Baghdad bombings were three coordinated car bomb attacks and a number of mortar strikes in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, on 19 August 2009.
The Tradition Senior Men's Golf, Crosswater Club: Mike Reid wins his second Champions Tour major with birdie on first playoff hole against John Cook
Kenneth Mobley "Lee" Brice Jr. is an country music singer and songwriter, signed to Curb Records.
Pedro Jaime Martínez is a Dominican-American former professional baseball starting pitcher who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1992 to 2009 for five teams—most notably the Boston Red Sox...
Denmark celebrates the first national Flag Day in memory of the fallen Danes in international operations since 1948
The Great Recession was a period of market decline in economies around the world that occurred from late 2007 to mid-2009, overlapping with the closely related 2008 financial crisis.
Sweden emerges from the recession after witnessing GDP growth of 0.2% in the second quarter
Glenn Beck's 9-12 Project organizes multiple marches and demonstrations across the USA to protest government spending
Guiding Light (known as The Guiding Light before 1975) is an American daytime soap opera.
World Bamboo Organization celebrates the first World Bamboo Day to raise awareness about bamboo's contributions to sustainability [1]
Macedonia officially enters the recession after experiencing a drop in GDP of 0.9% in the first quarter, followed by 1.4% in the second quarter
Typhoon Ketsana hits the Philippines, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand, causing 956 deaths and $6.2 billion in damage
The military junta leading Guinea, headed by Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, sexually assaults, kills, and wounds protesters during a protest rally at Stade du 28 Septembre
The 2009 Samoa earthquake and tsunami took place on 29 September 2009 in the southern Pacific Ocean adjacent to the Tonga–Kermadec subduction zone.
George Papandreou's Panhellenic Socialist Movement defeats Greece's governing New Democracy party in an electoral landslide.
Australia wins cricket's Champions Trophy at Centurion Park in Gauteng, South Africa, by 6 wickets (with 28 balls remaining) against New Zealand; chasing 200, Shane Watson is 105 not out in Australia's 206/4
The Lunar Precursor Robotic Program (LPRP) is a NASA program that uses robotic spacecraft to prepare for future crewed missions to the Moon.
After closing borders for nearly 200 years, Armenia and Turkey sign protocols in Zurich to reopen their borders
British Mercedes driver Jenson Button finishes fifth in the Brazilian Grand Prix at Autódromo José Carlos Pace to clinch his first F1 World Drivers' Championship
Quarterback Tom Brady throws five second quarter touchdowns against the Tennessee Titans, an NFL record for touchdown passes in one quarter
The UK markets had contracted by 0.4% in the third quarter against what was expected to be a period of growth, as a result of unexpectedly poor performance by the service sector
First International Day of Climate Action, organized with 350.org, a global campaign to address a claimed global warming crisis
The 25 October 2009 Baghdad bombings were attacks in Baghdad, Iraq which killed 155 people and injured at least 721 people.
Ares I was the crew launch vehicle that was being developed by NASA as part of the Constellation program. The name "Ares" refers to the Greek deity Ares, who is identified with the Roman god Mars.
US Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan (US Army Medical Corps) killed 13 and wounded 43 at Fort Hood, Texas in the largest mass shooting ever at a US military installation.
Mapungubwe Interpretation Centre in South Africa, designed by Peter Rich, wins World Building of the Year at the World Architecture Festival in Barcelona
Jerry Sloan becomes the first coach in NBA history with 1,000 wins for one team after defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder
The World Series of Poker (WSOP) is a series of poker tournaments held annually in Paradise, Nevada, and since 2004, sponsored by Caesars Entertainment.
Miranda is a British television sitcom written by and starring the eponymous comedian Miranda Hart. It originally aired on BBC Two from 9 November 2009, and later on BBC One.
Germany's growth of 0.7% in the third quarter helps lead the Eurozone out of the recession after providing overall growth of 0.4% in the same period, with the whole European Union growing 0.2%, it is reported today
The National Statistical Service of Greece states that the country has been in recession since the beginning of the year
The Mexican government declares its economy technically out of recession after 2.93% GDP growth in the third quarter of 2009; Mexico had been in a severe economic crisis for over a year prior to its economic rebound
Fela! is a jukebox musical with a book by Bill T. Jones and Jim Lewis, based on music and lyrics by the late Nigerian singer Fela Kuti, with additional music by Aaron Johnson and Jordan McLean and...
Flooding in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; powerful storm brings 3 years worth of rain in 4 hours, killing over 150 people and sweeping thousands of cars away during Hajj
Canada begins its recovery from the recession; economic growth is at 0.4% after 14 months of economic stagnation
Patrick Timothy Kane II is an American professional ice hockey player who is a right winger for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League (NHL).
Montreal Canadiens retire Hall of Fame center Elmer Lach's jersey (No. 16), as part of team's centennial celebration
PBS News Hour is an American daily evening television news program broadcast on over 350 PBS member stations since October 20, 1975.
The December 2009 Baghdad bombings were attacks in Baghdad, Iraq, which resulted in the deaths of at least 127 people and injuries to at least 448 more.
Angry Birds, a Finnish puzzle video game, is released internationally and becomes a massive global success
75th Heisman Trophy Award: Mark Ingram, Jr., Alabama (RB)
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is an American wide-body airliner developed and manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
Gareth Thomas is a Welsh former professional rugby union and rugby league player, who represented Wales in both codes.
The World Health Organization says 208 countries, territories and communities have reported H1N1 cases, including at least 12,220 deaths
43 people die in a suicide bombing in Karachi, Pakistan, as Shia Muslims observe the Day of Ashura
Paul Harvey, American radio broadcaster, known for american radio broadcaster, died on 2009-02-28.
Natasha Richardson, English actress, known for british actress, died on 2009-03-18. Natasha Jane Richardson (11 May 1963 – 18 March 2009) was an English actress.
Michael Jackson, American singer, known for american singer, died on 2009-06-25. Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and…
William Safire, American journalist and presidential speechwriter, known for american journalist and presidential speechwriter, died on 2009-09-27.