On June 9th:

1534 Jacques Cartier Explores the St. Lawrence River

On June 9, 1534, French navigator Jacques Cartier sailed up the St. Lawrence River on his first voyage to what would later become Canada. His exploration marked a critical point in the European reconnaissance of the North American continent, setting the stage for future French claims in the New World. Cartier’s journeys not only mapped previously unknown regions but also initiated complex interactions between European settlers and the indigenous peoples of North America.

1893 Collapse of Ford’s Theatre

A tragic event unfolded on June 9, 1893, when Ford’s Theatre in Washington D.C., the site of President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, collapsed, resulting in the deaths of 23 people. The collapse occurred while the building was being used as a government warehouse, and the victims were clerks working inside. This disaster not only highlighted the issues of building safety and maintenance but also served as a grim reminder of the theater’s already dark history associated with the Lincoln assassination.

1973 Secretariat Wins the Triple Crown

Secretariat, one of the most celebrated thoroughbred racehorses in American history, won the Belmont Stakes on June 9, 1973, securing the Triple Crown with a record-breaking 31-length victory. This win followed his victories at the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, making him the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years. Secretariat’s performance at the Belmont Stakes remains one of the greatest in horse racing history, and his extraordinary speed and spirit continue to be celebrated in the world of equestrian sports.