1494 Piero the Unfortunate of the de' Medici family, ruler of Florence, loses power and flees the state
1620 After a month of delays off the English coast and about two months at sea, the Mayflower spots land (Cape Cod).
The Battle of Holt Bridge 9th November 1643. Holt Bridge, a listed monument, is constructed of local red sandstone. The nine arched structure is on the English border, near Wrexham. The third arch has two arch rings, where a gatehouse and drawbridge were situated which defended the town of Holt. Its border location made it a strategic target during the Civil War, and a battle was fought here on 9th November 1643. The bridge and the town were taken by Parliamentarian forces, although Holt Castle was successfully defended by the Royalists.
1847 In Edinburgh, Dr James Young Simpson delivered Wilhelmina Carstairs while chloroform was administered to her mother, the first child to be born with the aid of anaesthetics.
1864 US Civil War: Union General Sherman issues preliminary plans for his "March to the Sea".
1888 At 3:30 a.m. in London's Whitechapel, 25-year-old Mary Kelly became Jack the Ripper's last known victim. The 'Ripper' was never caught, but the nature of the murders and of the victims drew attention to the poor living conditions in the East End of London and galvanised public opinion against the overcrowded, unsanitary slums. In the two decades after the murders, the worst of the slums were cleared and demolished.
1910 Miners' Strike. On 9th November 1910, troops were used in Porth near Pontypridd to disperse demonstrations by striking miners. Contingents were also sent to patrol Aberaman and Llwynypia. There are no verified records of casualties since most of the miners would not have reported their injuries for fear of reprisals, but it is estimated that over 500 citizens, including women and children, sustained injury. Miner Samuel Rhys died of head injuries, allegedly inflicted by a policeman's baton.
1930 First nonstop airplane flight from New York to Panama, piloted by Roy W. Ammel.
9 Nov 1961 Brian Epstein saw The Beatles playing live for the first time during a lunchtime session at The Cavern, Liverpool. Epstein had become curious about the band after reading about them in Mersey Beat magazine and receiving customer inquiries at his NEMS record shop for their German 'My Bonnie' single. Captivated by their raw energy and stage presence, Epstein met them backstage after the show and went on to sign them to a management contract on January 24, 1962.
1970 Comedy troupe "The Goodies" make their television debut on the BBC.
