London, United Kingdom. A selection of notable events took place on February 9 across different years, including cultural milestones, political violence, and major incidents. The events also include royal deaths, diplomatic appeals, and rescues following disasters.
Arts and culture
In 1893, Giuseppe Verdi’s last opera, Falstaff, had its first performance.
Conflict and security
In 1996, a large Irish Republican Army (IRA) bomb exploded in London’s Docklands business district, killing two people and injuring 100. The blast marked the end of a 17-month IRA ceasefire.
In 1998, Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze survived an assassination attempt.
Accidents and casualties
In 2001, the USS Greeneville, a U.S. nuclear submarine surfacing off Hawaii, struck and sank a Japanese fishing trawler, killing nine of the 35 people on board.
British royal family and official events
In 2002, Britain’s Princess Margaret, the queen’s sister, died at the age of 71.
In 2002, Britain’s Princess Anne unveiled a plaque near McMurdo Station.
In 2004, Britain’s Prince Charles visited quake-torn Bam in Iran.
Religion and diplomacy
In 2003, weeks before U.S.-led forces invaded Iraq, Pope John Paul made an appeal for world prayer to avert war and later sent a top cardinal on a peace mission to Baghdad.
Disasters and rescue
In 2004, a survivor was rescued from the wreckage of a building collapse in Konya, Turkey, after seven days in the rubble.
Which of these February 9 events do you want to read more about?