December 09

Events

536day.year

Gothic War: The Byzantine general Belisarius enters Rome unopposed; the Gothic garrison flees the capital.

Byzantine general Belisarius entered Rome unopposed in 536 after Gothic defenders abandoned the city, marking a key moment in the Gothic War.
During the winter of 536, Byzantine general Belisarius advanced on Rome as part of Emperor Justinian I’s campaign to restore the Roman Empire’s western territories. Arriving at the city’s gates, he discovered the Ostrogothic garrison had fled, leaving Rome undefended. His bloodless entry symbolized a dramatic shift in the Gothic War, demonstrating Byzantine military strength and Gothic disarray. Residents welcomed the Byzantines as liberators, hopeful for renewed stability under imperial rule. The fall of Rome without combat showcased Belisarius’s strategic brilliance and paved the way for further Byzantine advances in Italy.
536 Gothic War Belisarius Gothic
730day.year

Battle of Marj Ardabil: The Khazars annihilate an Umayyad army and kill its commander, al-Jarrah ibn Abdallah al-Hakami.

In 730, Khazar forces crushed an Umayyad army at Marj Ardabil, slaying commander al-Jarrah ibn Abdallah al-Hakami and halting the Caliphate’s northern expansion.
On December 9, 730, the Khazar Khaganate ambushed an Umayyad army near Marj Ardabil during ongoing frontier conflicts. The Khazar cavalry executed a decisive assault, inflicting heavy casualties and killing the Umayyad commander al-Jarrah ibn Abdallah al-Hakami. This victory shattered Umayyad ambitions north of the Caucasus and solidified Khazar control over critical trade routes. Contemporary chronicles note the overconfidence of the Umayyad troops in the face of Khazar tactics. The triumph elevated Khazar prestige and checked Islamic expansion into Eastern Europe. The battle underscored the strategic importance of the Caucasus frontier in medieval geopolitics.
730 Battle of Marj Ardabil Khazars Umayyad al-Jarrah ibn Abdallah al-Hakami
1432day.year

The first battle between the forces of Švitrigaila and Sigismund Kęstutaitis is fought near the town of Oszmiana (Ashmyany), launching the most active phase of the Lithuanian Civil War.

In 1432, the armies of Švitrigaila and Sigismund Kęstutaitis clashed near Oszmiana, igniting the fiercest stage of the Lithuanian Civil War over the Grand Ducal throne.
On December 9, 1432, forces loyal to Švitrigaila met troops supporting his cousin Sigismund Kęstutaitis on the fields near Oszmiana (modern Ashmyany). This encounter marked the first major battle of the Lithuanian Civil War, a dynastic struggle for control of the Grand Duchy. Švitrigaila sought to assert Lithuania’s independence from Polish influence, while Sigismund was backed by the Polish Crown. Although neither side secured a decisive victory, the clash set off a protracted conflict involving shifting noble alliances and foreign powers. The civil war would last until 1438, ultimately shaping Lithuania’s political trajectory and its relationship with Poland.
1432 Švitrigaila Sigismund Kęstutaitis Oszmiana (Ashmyany) Lithuanian Civil War
1531day.year

The Virgin of Guadalupe first appears to Juan Diego at Tepeyac, Mexico City.

In 1531, the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to Juan Diego at Tepeyac Hill near Mexico City, starting the devotion of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
According to Catholic tradition, on December 9, 1531, the Virgin Mary appeared for the first time to the indigenous peasant Juan Diego on the hill of Tepeyac. She spoke in Nahuatl and requested a chapel be built in her honor, leaving a miraculous image on Juan Diego’s tilma as proof. The apparition gave rise to the enduring devotion of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which became a symbol of faith and cultural identity in New Spain. The site of Tepeyac evolved into a major pilgrimage destination, culminating in the construction of the Basilica of Guadalupe. Millions of pilgrims visit each year, drawn by the story’s message of hope and unity. The Virgin of Guadalupe remains a central figure in Mexican religious and cultural life.
1531 The Virgin of Guadalupe Juan Diego Tepeyac, Mexico City
1636day.year

The Qing dynasty of China, led by Emperor Hong Taiji, invades Joseon.

In 1636, Emperor Hong Taiji’s Qing forces invaded Joseon Korea, defeating its defenses and imposing tributary status on the kingdom.
In late 1636, Manchu armies under Hong Taiji, the newly proclaimed Qing emperor, crossed into Joseon territory after Korea refused to abandon its alliance with the fallen Ming dynasty. The Qing forces besieged key mountain fortresses outside Hanseong (modern Seoul) during a harsh winter campaign. Faced with overwhelming enemy numbers and freezing conditions, King Injo of Joseon negotiated surrender terms. The resulting Treaty of Samjeondo forced Joseon to become a Qing tributary state, ending its longstanding Ming affiliation. This subjugation reshaped the balance of power in East Asia for centuries. The invasion left a lasting legacy in Korean historical memory and foreign policy.
1636 Qing dynasty of China Hong Taiji invades Joseon
1688day.year

Glorious Revolution: Williamite forces defeat Jacobites at Battle of Reading, forcing James II to flee England. (Date is Old Style; the date in the New Style modern calendar is 19 December.)

On December 9, 1688 (Old Style), Williamite troops triumphed at the Battle of Reading, compelling King James II to abandon England during the Glorious Revolution.
During the Glorious Revolution, Protestant forces led by William of Orange advanced through southern England after being invited by Parliamentarians. On December 9 (Old Style), Williamite regiments clashed with Jacobite defenders at Reading, swiftly defeating them. The victory shattered Jacobite resistance and left James II’s position untenable, prompting his flight to France shortly afterward. This bloodless revolution displaced the last Catholic monarch of England and ushered in joint rule by William III and Mary II. The events set a precedent for constitutional monarchy and parliamentary supremacy. The English Bill of Rights would soon codify these new political principles.
1688 Glorious Revolution Battle of Reading James II Old Style
1775day.year

American Revolutionary War: British troops and Loyalists, misinformed about Patriot militia strength, lose the Battle of Great Bridge, ending British rule in Virginia.

In 1775, Patriot forces repelled British and Loyalist troops at the Battle of Great Bridge, ending British governance in Virginia during the American Revolutionary War.
On December 9, 1775, American Patriot militia under Colonel William Woodford confronted British regulars and Loyalist forces at Great Bridge near Norfolk, Virginia. The Patriots had fortified positions on the far side of the Elizabeth River, making any frontal assault perilous. When the British, led by Governor Lord Dunmore, launched their attack, they suffered heavy losses and were forced to withdraw. This decisive Patriot victory prompted Dunmore’s evacuation from Norfolk and the collapse of British authority in Virginia. The triumph boosted Patriot morale and secured a strategic foothold for the Continental cause. Virginia would remain a crucial center of revolutionary activity throughout the war.
1775 American Revolutionary War Loyalists Patriot Battle of Great Bridge Virginia
1822day.year

French physicist Augustin-Jean Fresnel, in a memoir read to the Academy of Sciences, coins the terms linear polarization, circular polarization, and elliptical polarization, and reports a direct refraction experiment verifying his theory that optical rotation is a form of birefringence.

In 1822, Augustin-Jean Fresnel introduced the concepts of linear, circular, and elliptical polarization and demonstrated optical rotation as a form of birefringence.
On December 9, 1822, French physicist Augustin-Jean Fresnel presented a groundbreaking memoir to the French Academy of Sciences. He introduced the terms linear, circular, and elliptical polarization to describe the various vibrational modes of light waves. Fresnel conducted a pivotal refraction experiment proving that optical rotation in crystals arises from birefringence. His findings provided compelling support for the wave theory of light over the prevailing particle model. The work revolutionized the study of optics and laid the theoretical foundation for modern photonics. Fresnel’s insights continue to underpin contemporary research in polarization and optical technologies.
1822 Augustin-Jean Fresnel Academy of Sciences linear polarization circular polarization elliptical polarization optical rotation birefringence
1824day.year

Patriot forces led by General Antonio José de Sucre defeat a Royalist army in the Battle of Ayacucho, putting an end to the Peruvian War of Independence.

In 1824, General Antonio José de Sucre’s Patriot army delivered a decisive victory at the Battle of Ayacucho, ending Spanish rule in Peru and securing independence.
On December 9, 1824, during the concluding campaign of the Peruvian War of Independence, Antonio José de Sucre led Patriot forces against the Spanish royal army on the plains of Ayacucho. Employing superior strategy and knowledge of the terrain, the Patriots overwhelmed their adversaries and forced Viceroy José de la Serna to capitulate. The surrender at Ayacucho signaled the collapse of Spanish colonial authority across South America. Simón Bolívar hailed the battle as the crowning achievement of the continental liberation movement. Peru’s freedom paved the way for the emergence of new republics in the region. Ayacucho remains celebrated as a symbol of Latin American independence and unity.
1824 Antonio José de Sucre Battle of Ayacucho Peruvian War of Independence
1835day.year

Texas Revolution: The Texian Army captures San Antonio following the Siege of Béxar.

In 1835, Texian forces seized San Antonio after the Siege of Béxar, marking a major victory in the Texas Revolution.
On December 9, 1835, Texian revolutionaries secured a pivotal triumph by capturing the city of San Antonio following a protracted Siege of Béxar. The operation, inspired by the rallying cry of Ben Milam to ‘Who will go with old Ben Milam?’, culminated in the surrender of General Martín Perfecto de Cos. The fall of San Antonio dealt a severe blow to Mexican authority in Texas and boosted the morale of the Texian Army. It provided strategic momentum that carried the revolution forward and set the stage for later engagements at the Alamo and San Jacinto. This victory remains a celebrated moment in Texas history, symbolizing the resolve of settlers fighting for independence.
1835 Texas Revolution Texian Army San Antonio Siege of Béxar
1851day.year

The first YMCA in North America is established in Montreal.

In 1851, the first YMCA in North America opened in Montreal, marking the start of a movement promoting youth development and community engagement.
The Young Men's Christian Association, founded originally in London, established its first North American branch in Montreal. The Montreal YMCA offered programs focused on physical fitness, education, and moral instruction for young men in the growing industrial city. It introduced community outreach, sports, and social services modeled after its British counterpart. The success of the Montreal branch led to rapid expansion across Canada and the United States. Over the decades, the YMCA became a key institution in promoting health, citizenship, and leadership among youth. Today, it remains one of the world’s largest nonprofit organizations, with programs in over 120 countries.
1851 YMCA Montreal
1856day.year

The Iranian city of Bushehr surrenders to occupying British forces.

During the Anglo-Persian War in 1856, British forces captured the strategic port city of Bushehr after its defenders surrendered.
Bushehr, located on the Persian Gulf, was a vital naval and trade base in southern Persia. Britain, seeking to protect its interests in India, launched a naval expedition in late 1856 against Persian forces. On December 9, 1856, Persian defenders in Bushehr laid down their arms following sustained bombardment. The occupation provided the British with a foothold to press their demands in the subsequent Treaty of Paris. The armistice and occupation highlighted the shifting balance of power between Persia and the British Empire. The conflict concluded in March 1857 with Persia ceding influence in the region.
1856 Iranian Bushehr