09 January - Richard Nixon birth anniversary

 

Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States. Here is a brief overview of Richard Nixon's life and presidency:

1. Early Life:

   • Born on 09 January 1913, in Yorba Linda, California.
   • Graduated from Whittier College and later attended Duke University School of Law.

2. Military Service:

   • Served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

3. Political Career:

   • Elected as a U.S. Representative from California in 1946.
   • Served as a U.S. Senator from California from 1950 to 1953.
   • Elected as Vice President under Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1952 and served from 1953 to 1961.

4. 1960 Presidential Election:

   • Ran for President in 1960 but lost to John F. Kennedy in a closely contested election.

5. 1968 Presidential Election:

   • Elected President in 1968, defeating Hubert Humphrey.
   • Promised to restore law and order and to bring an end to the Vietnam War.

6. Vietnam War:

   • Implemented a policy of Vietnamization, gradually withdrawing U.S. troops and transferring responsibility to South Vietnamese forces.
   • Expanded the conflict into Cambodia, leading to protests and controversy.

7. Domestic Policies:

   • Introduced policies known as the "Nixon Doctrine," emphasizing self-reliance for U.S. allies.
   • Signed the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act into law, initiating environmental protections.

8. Opening Relations with China:

   • Made a historic visit to the People's Republic of China in 1972, leading to improved diplomatic relations.

9. Détente and Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT):

   • Pursued a policy of détente with the Soviet Union, easing Cold War tensions.
   • Signed the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT I) with the Soviet Union in 1972.

10. Watergate Scandal:

    • The Watergate scandal unfolded during Nixon's second term.
    • The break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in the Watergate building led to investigations and revelations of a cover-up.
    • Facing impeachment, Nixon became the first U.S. president to resign from office on August 8, 1974.

11. Post-Presidential Years:

    • Pardoned by his successor, Gerald Ford, for any crimes he may have committed while in office.
    • Wrote his memoirs and engaged in foreign policy discussions.

12. Death:

    • Richard Nixon passed away on 22 April 1994, in New York City.

Richard Nixon's legacy is complex, featuring both notable achievements in foreign policy and domestic initiatives, as well as the stain of the Watergate scandal and his resignation from the presidency.

 

09 January - Carrie Chapman Catt birth anniversary

 

Carrie Chapman Catt ( 09 January  1859 – 09 March 1947) was an American women's suffrage leader and political activist. She played a significant role in the women's suffrage movement in the United States and was a key figure in the fight for women's right to vote.

Catt served as the president of the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) and later played a crucial role in the establishment of the League of Women Voters. She was a skilled organizer and speaker, and her strategic approach helped mobilize support for the suffrage cause.

Carrie Chapman Catt was instrumental in the final push for the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which granted women the right to vote. The amendment was ratified in 1920, and Catt continued her work in advocating for women's rights and international peace throughout her life.

 

09 January - Queen Elizabeth sank in 1972

 

Queen Elizabeth, any one of three ships belonging to the British Cunard Line that successfully crossed over from the age of the transatlantic ocean liner to the age of the global cruise ship.

RMS Queen Elizabeth, ocean liner of the Cunard–White Star line. It was launched in 1938 as the sister ship to the Queen Mary and served as a wartime troop transport, transatlantic ocean liner, and cruise ship until 1968. It burned during refitting in Hong Kong in 1972.

The first Queen Elizabeth, which was the sister ship of the Queen Mary, was one of the largest passenger liners ever built. Launched in 1938 and used as a troopship during World War II, it entered the regular transatlantic service of the Cunard Line in 1946. The ship was 1,031 feet (314 metres) long and 118.5 feet (36 metres) wide and had a draft of 38 feet (11.6 metres) and an original gross tonnage of 83,673. The Queen Elizabeth was retired in 1968 and sold for conversion to a seagoing university, but it burned and sank on 09 January 1972 during refitting at Hong Kong.

09 January - The first autogiro flight

 

The first autogiro flight took place on 09 January 1923, and it was conducted by the Spanish engineer and pilot Juan de la Cierva. An autogiro, or autogyro, is an aircraft that uses an unpowered rotor for lift, and an engine-powered propeller for thrust. It is a predecessor to the modern helicopter.

Juan de la Cierva's autogiro design was a significant breakthrough in aviation. The aircraft, named the "C.4" or "Autogiro," featured a rotor that was not powered but spun freely during flight. This rotor provided lift, and forward propulsion was achieved by an engine-driven propeller. The autogiro's ability to take off and land in short distances without the need for a runway was a notable advantage.

The successful first flight of the autogiro marked a milestone in aviation history, leading to further developments in rotorcraft technology and contributing to the eventual evolution of the modern helicopter.

09 January - Balloon Ascension Day

 

"Balloon Ascension Day" refers to a celebration or event where hot air balloons or gas balloons are launched into the sky. The term is not associated with a specific date but rather represents a general concept related to activities involving balloon ascensions.

Hot air balloon festivals, events, or competitions often feature balloon ascensions as a central attraction. These events may include multiple balloons taking off simultaneously or participating in various activities such as races, night glows, or tethered balloon rides.

If you are interested in attending or learning more about Balloon Ascension Day events, it would be helpful to check local event calendars, balloon festivals, or official announcements from balloon-related organizations. Keep in mind that specific celebrations or events may vary by location and may not necessarily be observed universally on a particular day.

09 January - Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa

 

Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa on January 9, 1915. He had spent over 20 years in South Africa, where he became involved in the struggle for civil rights and social reforms, using nonviolent civil disobedience as a tool for protest. Gandhi's experiences in South Africa played a crucial role in shaping his philosophy of nonviolent resistance, which he later applied in the Indian independence movement. Upon his return to India, Gandhi emerged as a prominent leader in the fight against British colonial rule and went on to lead the country to independence through nonviolent means.