On this day

9 August in history.

5 moments from 1173 to 2012: discovery, creativity and courage, each with a source to read more.

5 moments

The Union Buildings in Pretoria: seat of the South African government

1956

Women march on Pretoria. About 20,000 women marched to government buildings in Pretoria against laws restricting Black South Africans. South Africa now marks the day as Women's Day.

Wikipedia: Women's March (South Africa)

Photo: Davinci77 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

More from 9 August

  1. Leaning Tower, Pisa, Italy

    1173

    Work begins on the tower of Pisa

    Building began on the bell tower of Pisa Cathedral. It started to lean during construction.

    Wikipedia: Leaning Tower of Pisa

    Photo: Arne Müseler / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0 de)

  2. Title page from first edition of Henry David Thoreau's Walden (1854)

    1854

    Walden is published

    Henry David Thoreau published Walden, his book about living simply in a cabin by a pond.

    Wikipedia: WaldenWikipedia: Henry David Thoreau

    Photo: Unknown author / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

  3. Smokey Bear

    1944

    Smokey Bear

    The US Forest Service introduced Smokey Bear to remind people to prevent forest fires.

    Wikipedia: Smokey Bear

    Photo: National Agricultural Library / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

  4. Falcons at Ravens 10/19/14

    2012

    A woman officiates in the NFL

    Shannon Eastin worked an NFL game as an official, a first for a woman.

    Wikipedia: Shannon Eastin

    Photo: Keith Allison from Hanover, MD, USA / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Moments chosen for discovery, creativity and courage. Each one links to a source where you can read more; photos are credited to their owners.