History today: When Baghdad fell to US forces

April 9, 2003, witnessed one of the most important events of the decade when the United States pulled down a bronze statue of Saddam Hussein in Baghdad’s Firdos Square, marking the Fall of Baghdad.

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In 1959, Nasa introduced America’s first astronauts to the press. Meanwhile, UK’s King Charles III, earlier known as Prince of Wales, married Camilla Parker Bowles on this day.

Here is all that took place on April 9 across the world.

Fall of Baghdad

It was on April 9, 2003, that Iraq’s capital Baghdad fell to US forces during the Iraq War . This vent marked a turning point in the conflict.

After a period of sustained and intense combat, which began with the US-led coalition’s invasion on March 20, coalition forces successfully entered Baghdad. During this entry, they encountered minimal resistance, as the regime of Saddam Hussein underwent a rapid and comprehensive collapse.

This day also saw US forces pull down a bronze statue of  Saddam Hussein in Baghdad’s Firdos Square, marking an end to the Iraqi president’s long rule. With the help of American soldiers, jubilant Iraqis pulled down the massive bronze statue, an act that was broadcast live around the world.

Despite the initial sense of victory, the fall of Baghdad also marked the beginning of a complex and chaotic period in Iraq’s history. While the regime had been removed, no weapons of mass destruction, the stated reason for the invasion, were found. The power vacuum that followed led to widespread looting, the breakdown of civil order and the eventual rise of insurgent groups, including al-Qaeda and later Isis.

Despite the capture of Hussein by U.S. forces in December 2003 and his subsequent execution in December 2006, the Iraq War persisted. The United States did not formally withdraw from Iraq until December 2011, a full eight years after the conflict’s commencement.

Nasa’s first astronauts revealed

Scott Carpenter, L Gordon Cooper Jr, John H Glenn Jr, Virgil ‘Gus’ Grissom, Walter Schirra Jr, Alan Shepard Jr and Donald Slayton. These were the names of the first American astronauts introduced to the public. These astronauts had been selected from a group of 32 military test pilots to participate in the ‘Mercury Seven’ mission, America’s first manned space programme.

The event was held in the wake of the Soviet Union’s launch of Sputnik and was a major step in America’s effort to compete in the Cold War space race. The pilots had all been selected for their skill, endurance and ability to handle extreme physical and mental stress.  They achieved immediate national hero status, serving as symbols of both courage and technical excellence within the context of a high-stakes space race aimed at achieving human spaceflight.

The press conference was met with substantial media interest, as evidenced by the crowded room filled with journalists and photographers. While most of the astronauts were not experienced in dealing with the press, they demonstrated rapid adaptability, offering articulate responses and displaying charismatic smiles.

Their selection marked the beginning of NASA’s manned spaceflight program, laying the groundwork for future missions including Gemini, Apollo, and eventually the moon landing in 1969. The Mercury Seven would go on to define the early era of US space exploration. Alan Shepard became the first American in space in 1961 and John Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth in 1962.

King Charles III married Camilla Parker Bowles

April 9 marks the day when King Charles III (then prince), married his long-time love Camilla Parker Bowles in 2005. The ceremony was a modest and private affair by royal standards. A religious blessing at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury followed the civil service.

The presence of close family and friends, including Princes William and Harry, at the wedding, signalled increasing royal acceptance. Though Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip did not attend the civil ceremony, they demonstrated their support by attending the religious blessing and hosting a reception at Windsor Castle. Upon her marriage to King Charles III, Camilla was given the title of Duchess of Cornwall .

Their love story is believed to have blossomed at a polo match in London’s Great Windsor Park, where they met for the first time in 1970. According to reports, then-22-year-old Charles had been smitten by 24-year-old Camilla Shand’s charm.

But, life had different plans for the two as they married other people. Camilla tied the knot with Andrew Parker Bowles and Charles with Lady Diana Spencer. But, unable to stay away from each other they started an affair in 1986. Things turned sour in their respective marriages when the news about their affair came to light leading to divorces from their partners.

This Day, That Year

• American Airlines became the world’s largest airline following the acquisition of Trans World Airlines in 2001.

• The astrodome opened in Houston, Texas hosting the first indoor baseball game, in 1965.

• In 1963, Sir Winston Churchill was conferred honorary US citizenship by an act of Congress.