Today in History – April 9: The End of the American Civil War and Other Key Moments

by World History Edu · April 9, 2025

Every date on the calendar holds echoes of the past—triumphs, tragedies, and turning points that shaped the world we live in. April 9 is no different. On this day, history turned a corner in the United States, shook the streets of Baghdad, and saw key moments in music, science, and human rights.

Let’s take a look at what happened on April 9 throughout history.

1865 – The American Civil War Ends at Appomattox

On April 9, 1865, after four bloody years of conflict, General Robert E. Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House in Virginia. Though not the official end of all Confederate forces, this surrender marked the symbolic conclusion of the American Civil War.

Lee’s army was the largest and most important Confederate force. His surrender essentially meant the Confederacy had no path to victory.

Grant offered generous terms. Soldiers were allowed to return home with their horses, and officers could keep their sidearms. This magnanimous gesture helped lay the groundwork for reconciliation between North and South—though that process would be long, painful, and far from perfect.

“The war is over. The rebels are our countrymen again.” – Ulysses S. Grant

2003 – The Fall of Baghdad

On this day in 2003, during the Iraq War, American forces entered Baghdad, and Saddam Hussein’s regime effectively fell. The dramatic moment when a statue of Saddam Hussein was pulled down in Firdos Square became an iconic image, broadcast worldwide.

While the fall of Baghdad marked a swift U.S. military victory, it also signaled the beginning of a complex and costly occupation, leading to years of instability, insurgency, and political chaos in Iraq.

1940 – Germany Invades Denmark and Norway

As World War II raged across Europe, Nazi Germany launched Operation Weserübung on April 9, 1940, invading Denmark and Norway. Denmark surrendered within hours, while Norway resisted for several months.

The goal? Control of Norway’s coastline and strategic access to Swedish iron ore—critical for the German war machine. This bold move expanded the war’s reach and signaled that no European nation was safe from Hitler’s ambitions.

1959 – NASA Introduces the First American Astronauts

On April 9, 1959, NASA unveiled the Mercury Seven, America’s first astronauts. Selected from a pool of military test pilots, these seven men became instant national heroes.

They were:

Alan Shepard
John Glenn
Gus Grissom
Scott Carpenter
Wally Schirra
Gordon Cooper
Deke Slayton

These pioneers would help launch the United States into the Space Race, culminating in the Apollo 11 Moon landing just a decade later.

1963 – Sir Winston Churchill Becomes an Honorary U.S. Citizen

On this date in 1963, Winston Churchill—Britain’s legendary wartime Prime Minister—was granted honorary American citizenship by President John F. Kennedy.

Churchill became only the second person in history to receive this honor at the time. The gesture symbolized the deep alliance between the U.S. and the U.K., especially forged during World War II.