Washington, United States. Several notable events occurred on July 9 in different years, spanning politics, science, sport and international affairs. They include the founding of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1900 and Italy’s World Cup victory in 2006.
Political and institutional developments
The Commonwealth of Australia was founded in 1900.
In 2002, the African Union was launched by at least 40 of the continent’s 53 presidents and monarchs.
In 2005, former rebel chief John Garang took his place in the Sudanese leadership, swearing the oath of office as first vice president. He was killed in a helicopter crash six months later.
Deaths and identifications
In 1932, King Camp Gillette, the U.S. inventor and manufacturer of the safety razor, died.
In 1993, British scientists using genetic fingerprinting identified the bones of the Russian Tsar Nicholas II and members of his family, who were executed by Bolsheviks at Yekaterinburg in 1918.
Sport and other notable events
In 1997, American heavyweight Mike Tyson was banned from boxing for a year and fined $3 million for biting opponent Evander Holyfield’s ear during a world title fight.
In 2005, Danny Way became the first person to jump over the Great Wall of China on a skateboard.
In 2006, a Russian airliner crashed on landing and burst into flames in Siberia, killing up to 128 people.
Also in 2006, Italy defeated France to win the soccer World Cup in Berlin.