October 9 in History
October 9 is the birthday of Ben Shelton (2002) and the anniversary of the death of Mike Ditka (2026). Below are famous birthdays, deaths, events for October 9, plus editor's picks and genealogy records.
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Robert de Sorbon, French minister and theologian, founded the Collège de Sorbonne was born in 1201, while Ghislain, Frankish anchorite and saint died in 680.
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Famous people born on October 9
Famous people who died on October 9
2026
Mike Ditka (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
American football player, coach and commentator (1939–2026)
2024
Ratan Tata (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
Indian Business Executive and philanthropist (1937–2024)
2015
Raymond Duncan (entrepreneur) (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
American entrepreneur and vintner (1930–2015)
What happened on October 9
- 2024
Hurricane Milton makes landfall in Siesta Key, Florida, as a Category 3 hurricane, causing US$34.3 billion in damage only two weeks after Hurricane Helene impacted the state.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2019
Turkey begins its military offensive in north-eastern Syria.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2016
The Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army launches its first attack on Myanmar security forces along the Bangladesh–Myanmar border.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2012
Pakistani Taliban attempt to assassinate outspoken schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2009
First lunar impact of NASA's Lunar Precursor Robotic Program.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2007
The Dow Jones Industrial Average reaches its all-time high of 14,164 points before rapidly declining due to the 2008 financial crisis.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2006
North Korea conducts its first nuclear test.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1995
An Amtrak Sunset Limited train is derailed by saboteurs near Palo Verde, Arizona.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1992
The Peekskill meteorite, a 27.7 pounds (12.6 kg) meteorite crashed into a parked car in Peekskill, New York.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1986
The Phantom of the Opera, eventually the second longest running musical in London, opens at Her Majesty's Theatre.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1986
Fox Broadcasting Company (FBC) launches as the fourth US television network.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1984
The popular children's television show Thomas The Tank Engine & Friends, based on The Railway Series by the Reverend Wilbert Awdry, premieres on ITV.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1983
South Korean President Chun Doo-hwan survives an assassination attempt in Rangoon, Burma, but the blast kills 21 and injures 17 others.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1981
President François Mitterrand abolishes capital punishment in France.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1980
Pope John Paul II greets the Dalai Lama during a private audience in Vatican City.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab)
Births, deaths and events from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0 (opens in a new tab).
Editor's picks
Born on October 9
- 1201 — Robert de Sorbon, French minister and theologian, founded the Collège de Sorbonne (died 1274)
- 1221 — Salimbene di Adam, Italian historian and scholar (died 1290)
- 1261 — Denis of Portugal (died 1325)
Died on October 9
- 680 — Ghislain, Frankish anchorite and saint
- 892 — Al-Tirmidhi, Persian scholar and hadith compiler (born 824)
- 1047 — Pope Clement II
Source: Wikipedia historical listings for October 9
Quick answers
Who was born on October 9? Ben Shelton (2002), Penei Sewell (2000), Jharrel Jerome (1997).
Who died on October 9? Mike Ditka (2026), George Baldock (2024), Dieter Burdenski (2024).
Explore genealogy records
Researching someone born in October? Search birth records
Live genealogy events
This calendar is live and has its own date controls; it is separate from the October 9 historical article above.
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