March 09
Overview
Holidays & Observances
Christianfeast day:
Catherine of Bologna, Forty Martyrs of Sebaste, Frances of Rome, Pacian, Pope Cyril VI of Alexandria(Coptic Orthodox Church), Gregory of Nyssa(Episcopal Church (United States)), March 9 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
A collection of Christian feast days honoring various saints and martyrs observed on March 9 across different denominations.
Teachers' DayorEid Al Moalim(Lebanon)
Lebanon's annual celebration honoring the contributions and dedication of teachers nationwide.
Catherine of Bologna
Feast day commemorating St. Catherine of Bologna, a 15th-century Italian nun, artist, and mystic known for her spiritual writings.
Forty Martyrs of Sebaste
Feast day honoring the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste, Roman soldiers who were martyred for their Christian faith in 320 AD.
Frances of Rome
Feast day of St. Frances of Rome, a noblewoman turned nun celebrated for her charity and mystical experiences.
Pacian
Feast day of St. Pacian, a fourth-century bishop of Barcelona revered for his teachings and pastoral care.
Pope Cyril VI of Alexandria(Coptic Orthodox Church)
Feast day honoring Pope Cyril VI of Alexandria, a 20th-century Coptic Orthodox Patriarch celebrated for spiritual renewal.
Gregory of Nyssa(Episcopal Church (United States))
Feast day of St. Gregory of Nyssa, a fourth-century theologian known for his mystical writings and defense of the Trinity.
March 9 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
The Eastern Orthodox liturgical calendar entries for March 9 include a range of saints and commemorations.
Events
Liu Che, posthumously known as Emperor Wu of Han, assumes the throne over the Han dynasty of China.
Emperor Wu of Han, one of China’s most influential rulers, ascends the throne in 141 BC.
First known mention of Lithuania, in the annals of the monastery of Quedlinburg.
The name “Lithuania” appears for the first time in a German monastery’s annals.
Khwarazmian sultan Jalal ad-Din conquers the Georgian capital of Tbilisi.
Khwarazmian forces under Jalal ad-Din seize the Georgian capital Tbilisi.
Bulgarian Tsar Ivan Asen II defeats Theodore of Epirus in the Battle of Klokotnitsa.
Tsar Ivan Asen II of Bulgaria triumphs over Theodore of Epirus at Klokotnitsa.
The fleet of Pedro Álvares Cabral leaves Lisbon for the Indies. The fleet will discover Brazil which lies within boundaries granted to Portugal in the Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494.
Pedro Álvares Cabral sets sail from Lisbon, embarking on the voyage that leads to the discovery of Brazil.
Safavid troops retreat from Basra, ending a three-year occupation.
Safavid forces withdraw from Basra, ending their three-year occupation.
After a campaign by the writer Voltaire, judges in Paris posthumously exonerate Jean Calas of murdering his son. Calas had been tortured and executed in 1762 on the charge, though his son may have actually died by suicide.
Voltaire’s advocacy leads to the posthumous exoneration of Jean Calas in Paris.
Scottish philosopher Adam Smith publishes The Wealth of Nations, ushering in the classical period of political economy.
Adam Smith publishes The Wealth of Nations, founding modern economics.
Napoléon Bonaparte marries his first wife, Joséphine de Beauharnais.
Napoléon Bonaparte marries Joséphine de Beauharnais in a Paris ceremony.
Births
Amerigo Vespucci
Italian navigator who demonstrated that the New World was not Asia. His name became synonymous with the Americas.
Joseph of Anchieta
Spanish Jesuit missionary who played a key role in the evangelization of Brazil. Canonized as a saint for his work among indigenous peoples.
David Fabricius
German theologian and astronomer who made early observations of sunspots. His work bridged religious scholarship and natural science.
Aloysius Gonzaga
Italian nobleman who became a Jesuit saint and patron of youth. The namesake of Gonzaga University in the United States.
Franz Anton von Sporck
German nobleman and patron of the arts known for supporting musicians and writers. A cultural influencer in Central Europe during the early 18th century.
Friederike Caroline Neuber
Pioneering German actress credited with reforming German theater. Celebrated for professionalizing acting in the 18th century.
Josef Mysliveček
Czech composer and violinist celebrated for his operas and symphonies. A key figure in the late Baroque and early Classical music era.
Honoré Gabriel Riqueti
Prominent figure of the French Revolution, known for his powerful oratory and political writings. A journalist-turned-statesman who advocated constitutional monarchy.
Jean-Baptiste Kléber
French general who served with distinction during the Revolutionary Wars. Known for his leadership in Egypt under Napoleon.
Deaths
Abu Ma'shar al-Balkhi
Persian Muslim scholar and astrologer of the early Islamic Golden Age.
Sverre of Norway
King of Norway from 1184 to 1202 and founder of the House of Sverre.
Frances of Rome
Italian noblewoman turned nun and founder of the Oblates of Mary, canonized as Saint Frances.
Leonardo Bruni
Italian Renaissance humanist, historian, and chancellor of Florence who advanced classical studies.
Catherine of Bologna
Italian Poor Clare nun, artist, and mystic known for her spiritual writings and illuminated manuscripts.
David Rizzio
Italian-Scottish courtier and secretary to Mary, Queen of Scots, whose assassination impacted the Scottish throne.
James Hamilton
Scottish nobleman, soldier, and statesman, 1st Duke of Hamilton who led Royalist forces during the English Civil War.
Henry Rich
English courtier, soldier, and politician, 1st Earl of Holland, known for his shifting loyalties during the Civil Wars.
Cardinal Mazarin
Italian-French cardinal and statesman who served as chief minister to Louis XIV, consolidating royal power in 17th-century France.