August 9: What Happened on This Day in History
August 9th marks the 221st day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 222nd in case of leap years). There are 144 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on August 9th in history, famous birthdays on August 9th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to August 9.
What happened on August 9?
Here's what happened on August 9th in history:
- 2023: A Russian missile strike on a residential area in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, resulted in at least two civilian deaths and seven injuries, further highlighting the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
- 2018: On August 9, 2018, tensions escalated between Gaza and Israel, leading to exchanges of rocket fire and airstrikes. This marked a significant increase in violence amid ongoing conflicts in the region. source: aljazeera.com
- 2015: On August 9, 2015, the world marked the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, Japan. Commemorative events included memorial services and discussions on nuclear disarmament, reflecting on the bomb's devastating legacy. source: nytimes.com
- 2013: On August 9, 2013, a suicide bombing at a Sunni mosque in Quetta, Pakistan, killed at least 30 people and injured dozens more. The attack occurred during Friday prayers, targeting worshippers inside the mosque. No group claimed responsibility, but the bombing was believed to be part of ongoing sectarian violence in the region. source: aljazeera.com
- 2006: On August 9, 2006, British authorities arrested 24 individuals in London, Birmingham, and High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, in connection with a foiled terrorist plot to detonate liquid explosives on U.S.-bound airliners. The plot was discovered through extensive surveillance, leading to unprecedented security measures at airports. source: washingtonpost.com
- 1991: Antonino Scopelliti, an Italian magistrate known for his anti-mafia stance, was assassinated on August 9, 1991. His murder highlighted the ongoing struggle against organized crime in Italy. source: reuters.com
- 1986: On August 9, 1986, a 25-foot fiberglass shark sculpture was installed on the roof of 2 New High Street in Headington, Oxford, England. Commissioned by local radio presenter Bill Heine and created by sculptor John Buckley, the artwork, titled "Untitled 1986," was conceived as a protest against nuclear weapons and power, coinciding with the 41st anniversary of the Nagasaki atomic bombing. Despite initial opposition from Oxford City Council, the sculpture remains a notable landmark and was added to the Oxford Heritage Asset Register in 2022. source: bbc.com
- 1984: Carlos Lopes of Portugal won the gold medal in the marathon at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. He finished the race in a time of 2:09:21, setting a new Olympic record and becoming the first Portuguese athlete to win an Olympic gold medal. source: bbc.com
- 1983: On August 9, 1983, ABC announced that Peter Jennings had signed a four-year contract to become the sole anchor and senior editor of World News Tonight, effective September 5, 1983. This followed the death of Frank Reynolds on July 20, 1983, from bone cancer, and marked a significant shift in the evening news landscape, with Jennings leading the program from New York City. source: washingtonpost.com
- 1982: On August 9, 1982, two gunmen threw a grenade into the dining room of the Chez Jo Goldenberg restaurant in Paris's Marais district, then opened fire with machine guns, killing six people and injuring 22 others. The attack was attributed to the Abu Nidal Organization, a Palestinian militant group. The victims included two Americans, Ann Van Zanten and Grace Cutler. The restaurant closed in 2006, and former owner Jo Goldenberg died in 2014. source: theguardian.com
What famous birthdays are on August 9?
On August 9th there are the following famous birthdays:
![Whitney Houston]()
Whitney Houston (1963)Whitney Houston was an American singer and actress, widely regarded as one of the greatest vocalists of all time. Known for her powerful, emotive voice and wide vocal range, Houston achieved global fame with numerous hit songs and films throughout her career. [bio]
![Gillian Anderson]()
Gillian Anderson (1968)Gillian Anderson is an acclaimed American-British actress, best known for her iconic roles as FBI Special Agent Dana Scully in 'The X-Files' and Margaret Thatcher in the Netflix series 'The Crown'. Her impressive body of work spans television, film, and stage, earning her numerous awards, including Primetime Emmy, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild Awards. [bio]
![Anna Kendrick]()
Anna Kendrick (1985)Anna Kendrick is an American actress and singer known for her roles in films such as 'Pitch Perfect,' 'Up in the Air,' and 'Into the Woods.' [bio]
![Audrey Tautou]()
Audrey Tautou (1976)Audrey Tautou is a French actress best known internationally for her leading role in the film 'Amélie' (2001), which earned her critical acclaim and international recognition. She has also starred in several French and English-language films across a diverse range of genres. [bio]
![Melanie Griffith]()
Melanie Griffith (1957)Melanie Griffith is an American actress known for her work in film and television, particularly her acclaimed performance in the movie 'Working Girl' (1988), for which she received an Academy Award nomination and won a Golden Globe. She is also recognized for roles in 'Body Double,' 'Something Wild,' and 'Pacific Heights.' [bio]
![Hoda Kotb]()
![Sam Elliott]()
Sam Elliott (1944)Sam Elliott is an American actor renowned for his deep, resonant voice, bushy mustache, and roles in Westerns and drama films. Over a career spanning more than five decades, Elliott has become a cultural icon, known for his portrayals of rugged, stoic characters. [bio]
![Jessica Capshaw]()
Jessica Capshaw (1976)Jessica Capshaw is an American actress best known for her role as Dr. Arizona Robbins on the long-running television series 'Grey's Anatomy.' [bio]
![Kevin McKidd]()
Kevin McKidd (1973)Kevin McKidd is a Scottish actor, television director, and occasional singer. He is best known for his roles in the film 'Trainspotting' and as Dr. Owen Hunt on the long-running television series 'Grey's Anatomy.' [bio]
![Bill Skarsgård]()
Bill Skarsgård (1990)Bill Skarsgård is a Swedish actor best known internationally for his role as Pennywise the Dancing Clown in the horror film adaptations of Stephen King's 'It' (2017 and 2019). He is also recognized for his performances in the Netflix series 'Hemlock Grove' and the Hulu series 'Castle Rock.' [bio]
How to check someone's birthday?
If you’re looking for a person's birth date, have a look at our Birthday Search Guide
Who died on August 9?
On August 9th the following celebrities died:
![Sharon Tate]()
Sharon Tate (1969)Sharon Tate was an American actress and model, recognized for her roles in films during the 1960s. She became a symbol of Hollywood glamour and tragedy following her murder by members of the Manson Family in 1969. Tate was married to film director Roman Polanski and was considered one of Hollywood's rising stars. [bio]
![Bernie Mac]()
Bernie Mac (2008)Bernie Mac was an American comedian and actor known for his sharp wit, distinctive delivery, and influential presence in the world of comedy. He rose to fame as a stand-up comedian and was beloved for his work on television and film, particularly as the star of 'The Bernie Mac Show.' [bio]
![Frank Gifford]()
Frank Gifford (2015)Frank Gifford was an American football player, broadcaster, and actor best known for his long association with the National Football League (NFL) as both a player for the New York Giants and a longtime commentator on 'Monday Night Football.' [bio]
![Gregory Hines]()
Gregory Hines (2003)Gregory Hines was an American dancer, actor, singer, and choreographer, widely regarded as one of the most celebrated tap dancers of his generation. He appeared in numerous films, television shows, and stage productions, contributing significantly to the art of tap dance and its revival in the late 20th century. [bio]
![Al Freeman]()
Al Freeman (2012)Al Freeman Jr. was an acclaimed American actor, director, and educator, best known for his significant contribution to stage, television, and film, including his groundbreaking role as Captain Ed Hall on the soap opera 'One Life to Live.' [bio]
![Anton Walbrook]()
![Mahmoud Darwish]()
Mahmoud Darwish (2008)Mahmoud Darwish was a renowned Palestinian poet and intellectual who became a powerful voice for Palestinian identity, resistance, and...
![Dmitri Shostakovich]()
Dmitri Shostakovich (1975)Renowned 20th-century Russian composer who created groundbreaking symphonies and string quartets while navigating the complex political...
![Robbie Robertson]()
Robbie Robertson (2023)Legendary Canadian musician, best known as the guitarist and primary songwriter for The Band.
![Jerry Garcia]()
Jerry Garcia (1995)Iconic American guitarist, singer, and songwriter best known as the lead guitarist and co-founder of the legendary rock band 'The Grateful...
What day of the year is August 9?
August 9th marks the 221st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 222nd in case of leap years).
There are 144 days remaining until the end of the year.
August 9th is the 9th day of the month of August.
What day of the week is August 9?
On August 9th, 2026 the day of the week is Sunday.
| August | 2026 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
| 1 | 2 | |||||
| 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
| 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 |
| 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 |
| 31 | ||||||
What zodiac sign is associated with the day August 9?
The zodiac sign associated with August 9th is Leo according to the Western Zodiac.
