Major Events of June 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 June 2009 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of June 2009: Key Historical Moments from the Month


  • 01 Jun 2009 Air France Flight 447 Tragedy: Air France Airbus A330-300 flight AF447 from Rio, Brazil, to Paris, France, crashes in the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 650 kilometers off Brazil's coast. The catastrophic incident results in the death of all 228 people on board, marking the worst loss of life in Air France's history. The aircraft mysteriously disappeared during a transatlantic flight, and it took nearly two years to locate and recover the wreckage from the ocean floor.
  • 02 Jun 2009 Air France Flight 447 Wreckage Confirmed: Brazilian Defense Minister Nelson Jobim officially confirmed that debris discovered in the Atlantic Ocean near Fernando de Noronha archipelago is confirmed to be from the ill-fated Air France Flight 447, marking a significant breakthrough in understanding the aircraft's tragic disappearance.
  • 03 Jun 2009 New Hampshire Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage: New Hampshire became the sixth U.S. state to legalize same-sex marriage, with Governor John Lynch signing legislation that would take effect in January 2010. The law included protections for religious organizations.
  • 04 Jun 2009 Obama's Cairo Speech to the Muslim World: President Barack Obama delivers a landmark address in Cairo, Egypt, aimed at improving relations and understanding between the United States and the Muslim world, marking a significant diplomatic moment.
  • 05 Jun 2009 Tragic Daycare Fire in Mexico: A devastating fire swept through the ABC Daycare centre in Hermosillo, northern Mexico, resulting in the tragic deaths of 41 children. The fast-moving blaze highlighted critical safety concerns in childcare facilities.
  • 06 Jun 2009 Air France Flight 447 Debris Discovery: First physical evidence of the missing Air France Flight 447 is found in the Atlantic Ocean, with two bodies and passenger luggage recovered, providing initial insights into the tragic crash.
  • 07 Jun 2009 Roger Federer Wins First French Open Title: Tennis legend Roger Federer achieved a significant milestone by defeating Robin Söderling in straight sets (6-1, 7-6 (1), 6-4) to win his first French Open tennis tournament in Paris, completing his Grand Slam collection.
  • 08 Jun 2009 Apple Unveils iPhone 3GS: At the Worldwide Developers Conference 2009, Apple Inc. introduced the iPhone 3GS, the third generation of its revolutionary smartphone, further advancing mobile technology and user experience.
  • 09 Jun 2009 Shell Settles Nigerian Environmentalist Execution Case: Royal Dutch Shell agreed to pay $15.5 million in a settlement related to its alleged complicity in the 1995 execution of Nigerian environmentalists, including Ken Saro-Wiwa, acknowledging historical corporate human rights violations.
  • 10 Jun 2009 UN Response to North Korean Tests: In response to recent missile and nuclear tests conducted by North Korea, the United Nations Security Council and Japan collaborated to draft a resolution addressing the international security concerns.
  • 11 Jun 2009 Air France Flight 447 Tragedy: Air France Flight 447, traveling from Rio de Janeiro to Paris, tragically crashed into the Atlantic Ocean, resulting in the loss of all 228 passengers and crew on board. This devastating incident prompted international investigation and significant aviation safety reviews.
  • 12 Jun 2009 Iranian Presidential Election Results: Official results of the Iranian presidential election show Mahmoud Ahmadinejad winning re-election with 62.6 percent of the votes, a result that would soon spark widespread controversy.
  • 13 Jun 2009 Iranian Presidential Election Protests: Following the controversial re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, supporters of defeated candidate Mir-Hossein Mousavi launch widespread protests, alleging electoral fraud and challenging the legitimacy of the election results.
  • 14 Jun 2009 Iran Post-Election Protests: Iranian authorities reported approximately 170 arrests in connection with street riots and protests following the controversial presidential election.
  • 15 Jun 2009 Iranian Presidential Election Protests: On June 15, 2009, significant political unrest erupted in Iran following the controversial presidential election. Presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi called for the annulment of election results, alleging electoral fraud. Thousands of protesters defied government bans and rallied in Tehran, leading to violent clashes with police that resulted in at least one death and numerous injuries. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ordered an investigation into the electoral allegations.
  • 16 Jun 2009 Iranian Presidential Election Protests: Widespread protests and unrest erupted in Iran following the controversial presidential election, with significant political tensions and violent confrontations between demonstrators and government forces.
  • 17 Jun 2009 Iranian Election Protests Escalate: Mir-Hossein Mousavi calls for a day of mourning and rallies following multiple deaths during protests challenging the presidential election results, marking a critical moment in Iran's political unrest.
  • 18 Jun 2009 2009 Iranian Election Protests: Mass protests erupted in Iran following the disputed presidential election, with supporters of Mir-Hossein Mousavi challenging the official results and organizing rallies to remember those killed during the demonstrations.
  • 19 Jun 2009 Iranian Election Protests: Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Iranian Supreme Leader, issued a stern warning against further protests following the controversial presidential election. Ali Khamenei claimed Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won the election with 24 million votes, a declaration that sparked significant domestic and international controversy.
  • 20 Jun 2009 Neda Agha-Soltan: Symbol of Iranian Protests: Neda Agha-Soltan, an Iranian student, was fatally shot during post-election protests. Her death, captured on video, quickly became an international symbol of civil unrest and government oppression in Iran.
  • 21 Jun 2009 Iranian Election Protests Escalate: Widespread protests erupt across Iran following the controversial presidential election, with significant civil unrest and allegations of electoral fraud. State television reports at least ten people killed during demonstrations, highlighting the intense political tension.
  • 22 Jun 2009 2009 Iranian Election Protests: Widespread protests erupted in Iran following the controversial presidential election, with significant civil unrest and government crackdowns challenging the election's legitimacy.
  • 23 Jun 2009 2009 Iranian Election Protests: Widespread protests erupted in Iran following the controversial presidential election, challenging the official results and sparking significant political unrest. The protests represented a critical moment of potential political transformation in Iran.
  • 24 Jun 2009 Iranian Election Controversy: Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared the recent presidential election results as valid, despite widespread protests and allegations of electoral fraud, which led to significant civil unrest.
  • 25 Jun 2009 Michael Jackson Dies: Legendary American performer Michael Jackson, dubbed the 'King of Pop', died in Los Angeles from cardiac arrest at age 50. Known for iconic hits like 'Beat It' and 'Billie Jean', he won 13 Grammy Awards and sold over 750 million albums worldwide.
  • 26 Jun 2009 Baghdad Market Bombing: A devastating terrorist attack struck a Baghdad marketplace, resulting in at least 13 fatalities and numerous injuries. The bombing highlighted the ongoing security challenges and sectarian violence in Iraq during this period.
  • 27 Jun 2009 NATO and Russia Restore Military Relations: After a 10-month suspension following the 2008 war with Georgia, NATO and Russia agreed to re-establish military relations, potentially signaling a diplomatic thaw.
  • 28 Jun 2009 Honduran Constitutional Crisis of 2009: A military coup in Honduras ousted democratically elected President Manuel Zelaya, sparking a significant political crisis. The military forcibly removed Zelaya from power, claiming he had violated the constitution by attempting to hold a referendum to potentially extend his presidential term.
  • 29 Jun 2009 Bernard Madoff Sentenced for Massive Investment Fraud: Bernard Madoff was sentenced to 150 years in prison for orchestrating the largest and most brazen investment fraud in Wall Street's history, characterized by the judge as 'extraordinarily evil'. His Ponzi scheme devastated thousands of investors and is considered one of the most significant financial crimes of the 21st century.
  • 30 Jun 2009 US Troop Withdrawal from Iraqi Cities: A significant milestone in the Iraq War occurred as US troops formally transferred security responsibilities to new Iraqi forces, withdrawing from towns and cities. Approximately 131,000 US troops remained in the country, marking a pivotal moment in the conflict.