May 9 - This Day in History

May 9 : General Interest 1950: L. Ron Hubbard publishes Dianetics On this day in 1950, Lafayette Ronald Hubbard (1911-1986) publishes Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health. With this book, Hubbard introduced a branch of self-help psychology called Dianetics, which quickly caught fire and, over time, morphed into a belief system boasting millions of subscribers: Scientology.... read more American Revolution 1791 : Patriot politician and composer Francis Hopkinson dies http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/patriot-politician-and-composer-francis-hopkinson-dies Automotive 2008 : "Speed Racer" movie released http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/speed-racer-movie-released Civil War 1864 : Union troops take Snake Creek Gap, Georgia http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/union-troops-take-snake-creek-gap-georgia Cold War 1955 : West Germany joins NATO http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/west-germany-joins-nato Crime 1997 : Cunanan continues murder spree http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/cunanan-continues-murder-spree Disaster 2001 : Soccer fans trampled in Ghana http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/soccer-fans-trampled-in-ghana General Interest 1671 : Captain Blood steals crown jewels http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/captain-blood-steals-crown-jewels 1926 : Byrd flies over the North Pole? http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/byrd-flies-over-the-north-pole 1960 : FDA approves the pill http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/fda-approves-the-pill 1978 : Aldo Moro found dead http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/aldo-moro-found-dead 1997 : Former POW is ambassador to Vietnam http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/former-pow-is-ambassador-to-vietnam Hollywood 1971 : Last Honeymooners episode airs http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/last-honeymooners-episode-airs Literary 1860 : James Barrie is born http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/james-barrie-is-born Music 1964 : An unlikely challenger ends the Beatles' reign atop the U.S. pop charts http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/an-unlikely-challenger-ends-the-beatles-reign-atop-the-us-pop-charts Old West 1887 : Buffalo Bill's Wild West show opens http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/buffalo-bills-wild-west-show-opens Presidential 1914 : Woodrow Wilson proclaims the first Mother's Day holiday http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/woodrow-wilson-proclaims-the-first-mothers-day-holiday Sports 1973 : Johnny Bench hits three home runs off Steve Carlton http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/johnny-bench-hits-three-home-runs-off-steve-carlton Vietnam War 1969 : Reporter breaks the news of secret bombing in Cambodia http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/reporter-breaks-the-news-of-secret-bombing-in-cambodia 1970 : Demonstrations held in Washington http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/demonstrations-held-in-washington 1974 : House votes to initiate impeachment proceedings http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/house-votes-to-initiate-impeachment-proceedings World War I 1915 : Allies launch dual offensive on Western Front http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/allies-launch-dual-offensive-on-western-front World War II 1945 : Herman Goering is captured by the U.S. Seventh Army http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/herman-goering-is-captured-by-the-us-seventh-army