What Happened on October 9?

October 9 is World Post Day — celebrating mail that connects the world — on the same date the Washington Monument opened in 1888, Uganda gained independence in 1962, and Americans honor Leif Erikson’s Norse voyages.

• 1000 — Leif Erikson reaches Vinland around the year 1000

  Around the year 1000, Norse explorer Leif Erikson sailed west from Greenland and reached lands in North America later called Vinland. Read the full story →

• 1635 — Roger Williams is banished from Massachusetts Bay Colony

  On October 9, 1635, Puritan leaders ordered Roger Williams banished for challenging church-state power — a step toward Rhode Island and religious liberty. Read the full story →

• 1888 — The Washington Monument opens to the public

  On October 9, 1888, the public finally entered the completed Washington Monument — the tall stone obelisk honoring George Washington. Read the full story →

• 1962 — Uganda gains independence from Britain

  On October 9, 1962, Uganda became an independent nation after decades of British colonial rule. Read the full story →

• 1967 — Che Guevara is captured in Bolivia

  On October 9, 1967, Bolivian forces captured Argentine revolutionary Che Guevara; he was executed the next day. Read the full story →

Famous birthdays

John Lennon (1940–1980) · Cameron Diaz (1972) · Guillermo del Toro (1964) · Brian Boitano (1963)

Days & observances

World Post Day · Leif Erikson Day · National Moldy Cheese Day · National Fire Prevention Day