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THE DAY IN HISTORY · APRIL 9

April 9 in history

What happened on April 9: 4 moments from the Maps of History atlases, in 1241, 1865, 1940 and 1989, each linked to the map that shows it.

— Battle of Legnica

9 Apr 1241 — A feint force, sent only to keep Poland off Hungary’s back, destroys Duke Henry’s army of Poles, Germans and military orders. Nine sacks of ears, say the chronicles. Europe’s heavy cavalry has met the composite bow and the feigned retreat.

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

— Surrender at Appomattox

9 Apr 1865 — Cut off ahead and behind, Lee surrenders 28,000 men. Grant’s terms: officers keep sidearms, every man who owns a horse keeps it “for the spring plowing.” Chamberlain’s men present arms to the surrendering column.

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

Germany seizes Denmark in a morning and lands across Norway — the iron-ore road must be kept open.

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

— April 9 tragedy in Tbilisi

9 Apr 1989 — Soviet troops break up a peaceful pro-independence vigil outside Georgia’s government house with clubs, sharpened spades and gas; 21 people are killed, most of them women. The killings turned Georgian opinion decisively towards independence.

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

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