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 — The colonial capital from 1770. As Port-Républicain it hosted the assembly that adopted Toussaint’s constitution on 9 May 1801; in July 1825 President Boyer accepted France’s indemnity here under Mackau’s guns; 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, and Taylor wins 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 rupture in 48 hours at the Chemin des Dames and delivers a bloodbath. Half the French army then refuses further attacks — “collective indiscipline” — and Pétain repairs it with rest, leave, and only 49 executions from 554 death sentences.

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. VE Day: the war in Europe is over.

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