Touring History – This Day in History March 9, 2025
Hello fellow history traveler, and welcome back to Touring History. I’m your host, Alain Touring, here to guide you through the fascinating moments that happened on this day, March 9th. Let’s explore the stories that shaped history on March 9th—with a few fun facts along the way.
First, some notable birthdays.
Amerigo Vespucci, born in 1454, was the Italian explorer whose name was literally given to an entire continent—twice! That’s right, America is named after him, and he probably had no idea just how famous he’d become. So maybe, it should be the Gulf of Amerigo?
Samuel Barber, born in 1910, composed Adagio for Strings, one of the most moving classical pieces ever written—it’s been used in everything from war memorials to tear-jerker movie scenes.
And finally, Oscar Isaac, born in 1979, has given us some of the most memorable performances in modern cinema, from Star Wars to Ex Machina.
March 9th, 1959, saw the debut of a true cultural icon—the Barbie doll. Introduced at the American International Toy Fair in New York, Barbie became an instant sensation. The original doll was inspired by a German adult novelty toy, which Mattel cleverly rebranded into the all-American girl. Decades later, Barbie has had over 200 careers, proving she really can do it all.
On this day in 1916, Germany declared war on Portugal during World War I. Why? Because Portugal, despite trying to stay neutral, seized German ships docked in its harbors. This diplomatic spat quickly escalated into full-blown war—because if history has taught us anything, it’s that wars can start over even the pettiest of grievances. Good thing we don't have any political leaders with petty grievances today!
Back in 1862, the Battle of the Monitor and Merrimack took place—the first-ever clash between ironclad warships. Before this, wooden warships ruled the seas, but this battle changed naval warfare forever. The battle itself was a draw, but it proved that the days of wooden ships were numbered. Fun fact: the USS Monitor had an innovative rotating turret, which, at the time, was like giving a tank to a navy that still used sails.
In 1964, the very first Ford Mustang rolled off the assembly line. The Mustang became one of the most legendary cars in history, embodying freedom, rebellion, and, let’s be honest, some seriously cool car chases in Hollywood films. What’s more American than that?
March 9, 1997, marked a tragic moment in music history when rapper The Notorious B.I.G. was shot and killed in Los Angeles. His influence on hip-hop was profound, and his murder remains one of the most infamous unsolved cases in music history. Decades later, Juicy and Big Poppa are still anthems, proving legends never really die.
In 1959, Barbie made her advertising debut as Mattel launched its first TV ad campaign. This marketing push turned Barbie into a global phenomenon, setting the stage for generations of dolls, playsets, and pop culture debates over unrealistic beauty standards.
Speaking of advertising, here’s a more current word from our sponsor.
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And we’re back! Let’s continue our journey through history.
In 1987, U2 released their landmark album The Joshua Tree, which included classics like with or without you and where the streets have no name. The album propelled the band to global superstardom and proved that rock music could be both commercially successful and socially conscious.
Going back to 1841, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Amistad slaves, granting them their freedom. This was a landmark decision in the fight against slavery, as the court acknowledged that the captives had been illegally enslaved and had the right to rebel. It’s one of those rare cases where justice actually prevailed in the 19th century.
March 9, 1945, saw one of the most devastating events of World War II—the U.S. firebombing of Tokyo. This attack caused more destruction and loss of life than even the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The firebombing reduced much of Tokyo to ashes, leaving an indelible mark on history.
In 2011, Japan faced a modern catastrophe as the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster began. Following a massive earthquake and tsunami, the nuclear plant suffered meltdowns that led to radiation leaks and the displacement of thousands. It remains one of the worst nuclear disasters in history.
Finally, in 2017, NASA announced the discovery of a new solar system with seven Earth-sized planets in the TRAPPIST-1 system. The idea that there could be multiple potentially habitable planets out there sparked imaginations worldwide. Maybe one day, “history” will include the moment humans first set foot on one of these distant worlds.
And that’s our trip through history! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please like and subscribe. I’ll be back tomorrow with more history, more stories, and more unique advertisers. Until then, make your day historical!
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