Major Events of August 2009: Key Historical Moments from the Month
Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from August 2009 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.
Major Events of August 2009: Key Historical Moments from the Month
- 01 Aug 2009 Death of Corazon Aquino: Corazon Aquino, a pivotal figure in Philippine democracy and the first female president of the Philippines, passed away at age 76 after battling colon cancer. Her funeral and memorial service were planned for August 5, marking the end of a significant political era.
- 02 Aug 2009 Sectarian Violence in Northern Nigeria: Sectarian violence in Northern Nigeria escalates dramatically, resulting in 700 lives lost, underscoring the deep-rooted religious and ethnic tensions in the region.
- 03 Aug 2009 Bolivia Recognizes Indigenous Self-Governance: Bolivia made history by becoming the first country in South America to officially recognize and grant self-governance rights to its indigenous populations, marking a significant milestone in indigenous political representation and autonomy.
- 04 Aug 2009 North Korea Pardons American Journalists: Kim Jong-il, North Korean leader, pardons two American journalists, Laura Ling and Euna Lee, who were imprisoned for illegal entry after a diplomatic intervention by former U.S. President Bill Clinton. The journalists were initially sentenced to 12 years in prison but were released following Clinton's high-profile visit to Pyongyang.
- 05 Aug 2009 Funeral of Corazon Aquino: The funeral of Corazon Aquino, the first female President of the Philippines and a key figure in the country's democratic restoration, was held, marking the end of an era for Philippine politics.
- 06 Aug 2009 64th Anniversary of Hiroshima/Nagasaki Atomic Bombings: Japan commemorated the 64th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, reflecting on the devastating impact of nuclear warfare and renewing calls for global nuclear disarmament. Memorial services were held to honor victims and promote peace.
- 07 Aug 2009 Deadly Mosque Bombings in Iraq: A tragic terrorist attack killed at least 36 people in bomb attacks targeting a Shia mosque near Mosul and pilgrims at Shreikhan Village. The attack occurred during a significant religious celebration commemorating the birth of Muhammad al-Mahdi in Karbala.
- 08 Aug 2009 Noordin Mohammed Top Killed in Java: Noordin Mohammed Top, a notorious terrorist and one of Southeast Asia's most wanted suspects, was allegedly killed during a 16-hour siege at a house in Java, Indonesia. His death was a significant blow to terrorist networks in the region.
- 09 Aug 2009 Typhoon Morakot Evacuation: As Typhoon Morakot approaches southeastern China, a massive evacuation of one million people is initiated to ensure public safety.
- 10 Aug 2009 Sectarian Violence in Iraq: Ongoing sectarian tensions between Sunnis and Shiites resulted in devastating bombings, killing 48 people and injuring 231 in Iraq.
- 11 Aug 2009 Aung San Suu Kyi Sentenced: A Burmese court found Aung San Suu Kyi guilty of violating her detention terms and sentenced her to an additional 18 months of house arrest, further restricting the pro-democracy leader's freedom.
- 12 Aug 2009 Rwandan Genocide Fugitive Arrested: Gregoire Ndahimana, a Rwandan fugitive accused of genocide, crimes against humanity, and other serious charges, was arrested in a joint Rwandan and Congolese military operation.
- 13 Aug 2009 European Economic Recovery Signs: French and German economies show signs of recovery, pushing the Eurozone towards potential economic recovery in the second quarter, indicating a possible emergence from the global recession.
- 14 Aug 2009 Deadly Gaza Gun Battle: A fierce gun battle in Gaza resulted in at least 13 fatalities and 85 injuries, underscoring the ongoing volatility in the region.
- 15 Aug 2009 Suicide Bombing in Kabul: A devastating suicide bombing near NATO Headquarters in Kabul, Afghanistan, resulted in at least seven fatalities and over 100 injuries.
- 16 Aug 2009 Usain Bolt Sets 100m World Record in Berlin: At the 2009 World Athletics Championships in Berlin, Germany, Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt achieved a historic milestone by setting a new world record in the 100m dash, completing the sprint in an extraordinary time of 9.58 seconds. This performance solidified Bolt's reputation as the fastest human in recorded history and marked a significant moment in track and field athletics.
- 17 Aug 2009 Catastrophic Sayano-Shushenskaya Dam Accident: A major industrial disaster occurred at the Sayano-Shushenskaya Dam in Khakassia, Russia, resulting in 75 fatalities and a complete shutdown of the hydroelectric power station. The accident caused widespread power failures in the local region, highlighting significant infrastructure vulnerabilities.
- 18 Aug 2009 Death of Kim Dae-jung, Former South Korean President: Former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung passed away at age 85 in Seoul, after a significant political career marked by his advocacy for democracy and human rights. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000 for his efforts towards peaceful relations with North Korea.
- 19 Aug 2009 Baghdad Bombings: A devastating series of coordinated bomb attacks struck near government ministries and strategic targets in Baghdad, Iraq, resulting in massive casualties and widespread destruction. The attacks highlighted the ongoing sectarian violence and instability in the region during this period.
- 20 Aug 2009 Lockerbie Bomber Released on Compassionate Grounds: Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi, convicted of the 1988 Pan Am Flight 103 bombing that killed 270 people, was controversially released by the Scottish government due to terminal prostate cancer. He was subsequently allowed to return to his native Libya, sparking international diplomatic tensions.
- 21 Aug 2009 Obama Condemns Lockerbie Bomber's Release: U.S. President Barack Obama expresses strong condemnation regarding the return of Abdelbaset Al-Megrahi, the Lockerbie bomber, to Libya.
- 22 Aug 2009 North and South Korea Resume Diplomatic Talks: In a significant diplomatic development, officials from North Korea and South Korea met for talks for the first time in over two years, potentially signaling a thaw in their long-standing tensions.
- 23 Aug 2009 Baltic Way 20th Anniversary Protest: Tens of thousands of people from the Baltic countries commemorated the 20th anniversary of the 'Baltic Way', a historic human chain where two million people joined together to peacefully protest against Soviet Union control, symbolizing their desire for independence.
- 24 Aug 2009 Michael Jackson Death Cause Revealed: According to preliminary Los Angeles County coroner's court documents, Michael Jackson died from an overdose of the anesthetic Propofol, shedding light on the circumstances of the pop icon's sudden death.
- 25 Aug 2009 Death of Senator Edward Kennedy: U.S. Democratic Senator Edward Kennedy, brother of assassinated President John F. Kennedy and Senator Robert Kennedy, passed away from brain cancer in Massachusetts at the age of 77. He was a prominent political figure who served in the U.S. Senate for nearly 47 years and was known as the 'Lion of the Senate'.
- 26 Aug 2009 Death of Senator Ted Kennedy: U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts, the last surviving Kennedy brother, passes away at age 77 after battling brain cancer. His death marks the end of an era in American political history, concluding the legacy of one of the most influential political families in the United States.
- 27 Aug 2009 Pakistan Border Checkpoint Suicide Attack: A suicide bomber killed at least 18 border officers at a Pakistani security checkpoint responsible for NATO supply convoy routes to Afghanistan.
- 28 Aug 2009 Michael Jackson Death Ruled Homicide: The Los Angeles County coroner officially ruled Michael Jackson's death a homicide caused by acute propofol intoxication, bringing closure to the pop icon's mysterious death.
- 29 Aug 2009 Horrific Mass Murder in Georgia, USA: A shocking and tragic incident resulted in seven fatalities and two injuries, representing one of the most severe criminal cases in Georgia's recent history, as reported by CBS News.
- 30 Aug 2009 Japan's Historic Political Shift: Japan's Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) wins a landslide general election, defeating the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) by securing 308 seats out of 480 in the House of Representatives. This momentous election effectively ends the LDP's nearly five-decade-long political dominance, with Yukio Hatoyama set to become the new Prime Minister.
- 31 Aug 2009 Disney Acquires Marvel Entertainment: The Walt Disney Company announces a landmark acquisition of Marvel Entertainment for US$4 billion, a strategic move that would transform the entertainment and superhero franchise landscape.