Today in History for 9th May 2026

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Historical Events

1965 - The USSR launches Luna 5 with the goal of becoming the first spacecraft to achieve a soft landing on the Moon, but it crashes during its landing attempt
1992 - 37th Eurovision Song Contest: Linda Martin for Ireland wins singing "Why Me" in Malmo
2018 - Dam bursts after heavy rains near Solai, Kenya, killing at least 41
2019 - English clubs create football history by taking all 4 final spots in Europe's 2 major competitions; Chelsea and Arsenal qualify in Europa Cup after 'miracle' Champions League wins for Liverpool and Spurs
2019 - Pope Francis introduces new rules on reporting sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, criticized for not going far enough

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Famous Birthdays

1783 - Alexander Ross, Canadian fur trader, born in Morayshire, Scotland (d. 1856)
1855 - Julius Röntgen, German-Dutch composer, born in Leipzig, Kingdom of Saxony (d. 1932)
1936 - Albert Finney, English actor (The Dresser, Under the Volcano), born in Salford, England (d. 2019)
1955 - Kermit the Frog, Muppet character created by Jim Henson, protagonist of "The Muppet Show", "born" in Leland, Mississippi
1975 - Chris Diamantopoulos, Canadian actor (The Three Stooges; Silicon Valley), and cartoon Voice (Mickey Mouse, 2013-present), born in Toronto, Ontario

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Famous Deaths

1745 - Tomaso Antonio Vitali, Italian composer and violinist, dies at 82
1850 - Joseph Louis Gay-Lussac, French physicist and chemist, dies at 71
1966 - Alfred Mendelsohn, Romanian composer, and conductor (Romanian National Opera, 1944-63), and teacher, dies at 56
1979 - Lan Adomian, Russian-born American composer, dies at 73
2019 - Alvin Sargent, American Academy Award-winning screenwriter for "Julia" (1977) and "Ordinary People" (1980), dies at 92

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