5 Important Events That Happened on February 9, National Press Day Celebration

Kapanlagi.com - February 9 is a special moment in Indonesia, as it is commemorated as National Press Day. However, did you know that this date also holds a variety of historical events around the world? From the civil war that shook the United States, the invention of volleyball that is now global, to the tragedy of an underground music concert in Bandung, West Java, each of these events has left a profound mark in history.

These events not only influenced the fields of politics and sports but also provide a new perspective on the passage of time. Tracing history on February 9 not only broadens our knowledge but also opens up perspectives on various important moments that have occurred.

Let's take a look at five historical events that happened on February 9, besides National Press Day, that have shaped world history. Check out the summary from Liputan6, Sunday (2/9), and discover how this date has witnessed various events that changed the course of human life!

1. The Start of the American Civil War

The American Civil War, which raged from 1861 to 1865, is recorded as the bloodiest conflict in the history of the United States. This strife involved two factions; on one side, the Northern states fighting against slavery, while on the other side, the Southern states fiercely defending it.

Tensions peaked on February 9, 1861, when Jefferson Davis was appointed as President of the Confederate States of America, marking the inevitable split between North and South. The end of this war brought victory for the Union and simultaneously abolished the practice of slavery throughout the United States, marking a new chapter in the nation's history.

2. The First Deployment of US Combat Troops to South Vietnam

On February 9, 1965, history records a crucial moment when the President of the United States, Lyndon B. Johnson, issued an order to send a battalion of Hawk missiles from the Marine Corps to Da Nang, South Vietnam. This bold step marked the beginning of direct US military involvement in the Vietnam War, which had previously only played an advisory role.

This decision came after the Gulf of Tonkin incident in 1964, which triggered tensions between the US and North Vietnam. In a conflict involving two major ideologies—Communism and SEATO—the United States, along with allies such as South Korea, Thailand, and Australia, fought to support South Vietnam, while the Soviet Union and China stood behind North Vietnam.

US involvement ended on August 15, 1973, but the Vietnam War did not conclude until two years later, on August 15, 1975, when the two Vietnams reunited. Ironically, despite being a superpower, America suffered a crushing defeat with over 350,000 soldiers killed and 1.3 million others wounded, leaving a deep scar in its history.

3. The Discovery of Volleyball

According to ANTARA, on February 9, 1895, William G. Morgan, a physical education instructor in Holyoke, Massachusetts, United States, created a game initially called "Mintonette." This game was designed as a lighter alternative to basketball, incorporating elements from various sports such as basketball, baseball, tennis, and handball.

After the first demonstration, the name "Mintonette" was changed to "volleyball." At that time, volleyball was played by two teams, each consisting of five players. On that occasion, Morgan explained that the game had no restrictions on the number of players that became the standard for the game. The objective of this game is to keep the ball moving over the net from one area to another.

Since then, volleyball has evolved into one of the most popular sports in the world, played at various levels of competition, including the Olympics, and it also spread to Indonesia during the Dutch colonial period. It is known that volleyball was introduced in 1928, when teachers from the Netherlands, such as those at Hoogere Burgerschool and Algemeene Middelbare School, introduced it to the nobility and government officials.

4. Collision of USS Greeneville Submarine with Japanese Vessel Ehime Maru

On February 9, 2001, a horrific tragedy struck the waters off Oahu, Hawaii, when the nuclear submarine USS Greeneville of the United States Navy accidentally collided with the Japanese training fishing vessel, Ehime Maru. In an emergency maneuver to surface, USS Greeneville was unaware of the presence of Ehime Maru above it, resulting in the sinking of the ship and claiming the lives of nine people, including four fishery school students.

This incident not only shook the maritime world but also created diplomatic tensions between the US and Japan, and invited sharp criticism of US Navy operational procedures. The Ehime Maru, chartered by Uwajima Fisheries High School, was carrying 35 people, consisting of 20 crew members, two teachers, and 13 students, who are now part of a dark chapter in history that leaves a profound sorrow.

5. The Tragedy of the AACC 2008 Underground Music Concert in Bandung

On February 9, 2008, the Asia Africa Cultural Center (AACC) in Bandung became a silent witness to a heartbreaking tragedy during the launch concert of the debut album of the local metal band, Beside. With a maximum capacity of 500 people, the venue was filled with 800 to 1,000 visitors crowding together, creating a stuffy and uncomfortable atmosphere.

When the concert ended, panic erupted as the audience attempted to escape from the increasingly tense crowd, compounded by the chaos caused by the organizers distributing alcoholic beverages. In the turmoil, 11 lives were lost, including Entis Sutisna (23), who died after being trampled. Police investigations revealed that the tragedy was triggered by closed exit doors and ticket sales exceeding the permitted limit, highlighting the importance of safety in any event.

(kpl/mni)