February 9: Facts & Historical Events On This Day

Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial began.

The House of Representatives impeached the former US President on January 13 for inciting insurrection after he lost the presidential election. Despite the majority of the Senate voting to impeach Trump, the required two-thirds majority was not reached, and he was acquitted.

A US submarine collided with a Japanese high-school fishing training ship off the coast of Hawaii.

The Los Angeles-class USS Greeneville was demonstrating maneuvers to some VIP civilians when it surfaced, running straight into the Japanese ship. Nine people on board the Japanese vessel were killed, including four students and two teachers.

The Simpsons aired its 167th episode, making it the longest-running animation in TV history.

The episode was called "The Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie Show" and was episode eight of season fourteen. On this special episode, Poochie was introduced to The Itchy & Scratchy Show to try and retain viewers.

Irina Privalova ran the world record female indoor 50-meter run in just 5.96 seconds.

She also scored a world record for running 60 meters in only 6.92 seconds on the same day.

Five Pharaoh sculptures were discovered in the temple of Luxor.

The excavation lasted until April 20, 1989, when the last piece was found at a depth of 4.5 meters. The sculptures date back to 1470 BC.

Halley’s Comet was last seen from Earth. It only orbits the Earth once every 75 to 76 years.

Halley's Comet is expected to pass over Earth again on July 26, 2061.

The Beatles made their first appearance on the “Ed Sullivan Show” and pulled in a record-breaking 73.7 million viewers.

The Soviet R-7 Semyorka, the world’s first Intercontinental ballistic missile, became operational.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a 48-hour working week order to increase production during World War II.

Daylight Saving started in the US.

At the time, it was known as War Time and was suggested by President Roosevelt as a way of saving energy.

A record low temperature was recorded and reached a bone-chilling -15°F in Central Park, New York City.

Milton S. Hershey founded Hershey’s Chocolate Company in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, US.

Martial Law was declared in Seattle by President Grover Cleveland due to anti-Chinese unrest.

President Ulysses S. authorized the establishment of the United States National Weather Service (NWS).

The NWS responsibility was placed onto the Secretary of War as the military was the most reliable option for conducting prompt, accurate, and regular observations.