On this day

9 May in history.

5 moments from 1662 to 1960: discovery, creativity and courage, each with a source to read more.

5 moments

Portrait of Robert Schuman in 1958

1950

The idea that grew into the EU. French minister Robert Schuman proposed that France and Germany share their coal and steel, so war between them would become unthinkable. 9 May is now Europe Day.

Wikipedia: Schuman Declaration

Photo: European Commission / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

More from 9 May

  1. A traditional Punch and Judy booth

    1662

    Mr Punch makes his first appearance

    Samuel Pepys wrote in his diary about an Italian puppet show in London. Its main character became Mr Punch of the seaside Punch and Judy shows.

    Wikipedia: Punch and Judy

    Photo: ALoan at English Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

  2. Society of Artists of Great Britain

    1761

    Artists put on a show

    The Society of Artists of Great Britain held its first exhibition in London, one of the first public art exhibitions in Britain.

    Wikipedia: Society of Artists of Great Britain

    Photo: Joshua Reynolds / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

  3. The front (main entrance) side of the Museum of Australian Democracy (MoAD) aka, Old Parliament House

    1927

    Canberra's Parliament House opens

    Australia's parliament moved into its new home in the capital, Canberra.

    Wikipedia: Old Parliament House, Canberra

    Photo: VisionUnitWasTaken / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

  4. Combined oral contraceptive pill

    1960

    The pill is approved

    The US Food and Drug Administration said it would approve Enovid as a birth control pill, the first of its kind.

    Wikipedia: Combined oral contraceptive pill

    Photo: Unknown author / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0 fr)

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