THE DAY IN HISTORY · MAY 9

May 9 in history

What happened on May 9: 4 moments from the Maps of History atlases, in 1801, 1846, 1917 and 1945, each linked to the map that shows it.

1801 — Port-au-Prince

1770–1915 — Port-au-Prince became the colonial capital in 1770. Under the name Port-Républicain, it hosted the assembly that adopted Toussaint’s constitution on 9 May 1801. Here, too, President Boyer accepted France’s indemnity under Mackau’s guns in July 1825. In December 1914 US Marines removed the national bank’s gold.

READ THIS MOMENT → · SEE IT ON THE TWO ROADS TO INDEPENDENCE MAP → · THE FULL STORY →

1846 — Outbreak of the Mexican–American War

25 Apr–9 May 1846 — Mexican cavalry ambush a US patrol in the disputed strip along the Rio Grande. Taylor then wins battles at Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma. Polk tells Congress that Mexico has “shed American blood upon the American soil,” and war is declared on 13 May.

READ THIS MOMENT → · SEE IT ON THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR MAP → · THE FULL STORY →

1917 — Nivelle Offensive

16 Apr-9 May 1917 — Nivelle promises to break through at the Chemin des Dames in 48 hours. Instead, the offensive becomes a bloodbath. Half the French army then refuses further attacks, an episode called “collective indiscipline.” Pétain restores the army with rest and leave; 49 of the 554 death sentences are carried out.

READ THIS MOMENT → · SEE IT ON THE WWI MAP → · THE FULL STORY →

1945 — German surrender and VE Day

7–9 May 1945 — Germany surrenders at Reims and Berlin. With VE Day, the war in Europe comes to an end.

READ THIS MOMENT → · SEE IT ON THE WW2 MAP → · THE FULL STORY →