What Happened on August 9

National Desk

2014 — Ferguson Erupts as Grand Jury Weighs Brown Case

Eighteen-year-old shot six times after officer fires twelve rounds in encounter under 90 seconds — protests spread, FBI canvasses for witnesses.

Twelve bullets. Six struck Michael Brown. The entire encounter, from the moment Officer Darren Wilson first approached the 18-year-old to his death, lasted less than 90 seconds.

Brown, a 6-foot-4, 292-pound graduate of Normandy High School — he had received his diploma just eight days earlier — was killed by a white police officer on a Ferguson street, touching off days of protest and unrest that have drawn national attention.

According to accounts pieced together from official statements, Wilson fired twelve rounds, including two during a struggle inside his patrol vehicle. Six bullets hit Brown, all in the front of his body.

Forty FBI agents have gone door-to-door through Ferguson neighborhoods, searching for potential witnesses to the shooting. The search has been complicated by the community's mistrust of police, but agents said they are determined to build a full picture of what happened.

A St. Louis County grand jury is expected to consider whether to indict Wilson. The U.S. Department of Justice has opened its own inquiry into whether Brown's civil rights were violated.

Protesters have marched nightly in Ferguson, some carrying signs reading "Hands up, don't shoot." Police in riot gear have made dozens of arrests.

Brown's family has called for calm, but the anger on the streets has not subsided.

• Officer Darren Wilson fired twelve bullets, including two during a struggle inside his vehicle, striking Brown six times in the front of his body.
• The entire encounter from Wilson's initial approach to Brown's death lasted less than 90 seconds.
• A St. Louis County grand jury decided not to indict Officer Wilson on November 24, 2014.
• The U.S. Department of Justice cleared Wilson of civil rights violations in March 2015, concluding he acted in self-defense.
• Michael Brown was 6 feet 4 inches tall, weighed 292 pounds, and had graduated from Normandy High School eight days before his death.

Foreign Desk

1965 — Singapore Exits Malaysia, Becomes Sovereign Nation

Separation Agreement signed on 7 August takes effect, ending a merger that began on 16 September 1963.

Singapore became a sovereign state today, formally severing its two-year merger with Malaysia after the Separation Agreement signed on 7 August took effect.

The island, one of 14 states in the Malaysian federation since 16 September 1963, now stands alone. Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman, who opted to resolve the ideological conflict between the ruling parties by separation, announced the decision over the weekend.

Singapore's own finance minister, Goh Keng Swee, and a few leaders of the People's Action Party supported the move, which had been rumored for weeks but confirmed only on Monday.

The split came after months of heated disagreement between the PAP and the Alliance party that governs Malaysia. Rahman said the merger was no longer workable.

In a gesture of goodwill, Malaysia has pledged to support Singapore's entry into the United Nations and the British Commonwealth. The island's leaders have accepted, and diplomatic recognition is expected within days.

Today, flags flew at half-mast in some quarters, but there was also celebration. Singaporeans lined the streets to watch ceremonial parades, and many shops closed for the holiday.

Goh, who has been a key figure in the negotiations, said the separation was "a painful but necessary step."

• Singapore was one of 14 states of Malaysia from 16 September 1963 to 9 August 1965.
• The Separation Agreement was signed on 7 August 1965, and Singapore became a sovereign state on 9 August.
• Malaysian prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman opted to resolve disagreements by separating Singapore from the Federation.
• Singapore's finance minister Goh Keng Swee and a few PAP leaders supported the decision to separate.
• Following separation, Malaysia supported Singapore's entry into the United Nations and the British Commonwealth.

Washington Bureau

1974 — Nixon Resigns, Ford Sworn In As 38th President

In a historic first, Richard Nixon steps down rather than face impeachment; Gerald Ford takes the oath in the East Room.

The East Room of the White House was hushed this morning as Richard Nixon, his voice steady but his eyes wet, told the nation he was resigning the presidency, effective at noon.

Nixon, 61, became the first president in American history to quit the office, ending his second term in disgrace over the Watergate scandal. Vice President Gerald Ford took the oath of office shortly after, becoming the 38th president.

Nixon's decision came four days after he released the transcript of a White House tape that proved his involvement in the cover-up of the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters. The "smoking gun" tape, made public August 5, showed Nixon had ordered the FBI to halt its investigation.

The House Judiciary Committee had already approved three articles of impeachment against him on July 27-30. The full House was expected to vote within weeks, and conviction in the Senate appeared all but certain.

The Supreme Court had unanimously ordered Nixon to surrender the tapes on July 24, and he complied.

• Nixon released a transcript of the 'smoking gun' tape on August 5, 1974, revealing his complicity in the Watergate cover-up.
• The House Judiciary Committee approved three articles of impeachment against Nixon on July 27–30, 1974.
• Vice President Gerald Ford succeeded to the presidency after Nixon's resignation on August 9, 1974.
• Nixon was the first U.S. president to resign from office, ending his second term early due to the Watergate scandal.
• The Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision on July 24, 1974, ordering Nixon to comply with a subpoena for Watergate tapes.

Sports Desk

1988 — Gretzky Shipped To Kings In Stunning Deal

The Kings acquire Gretzky, McSorley, and Krushelnyski for Carson, Gélinas, $15 million, and three first-round picks.

The most prolific scorer in hockey history is no longer an Oiler. Wayne Gretzky was traded to the Los Angeles Kings today, a deal that has Canadians fuming and the hockey world reeling.

Edmonton sent Gretzky, Marty McSorley, and Mike Krushelnyski to Los Angeles for Jimmy Carson, Martin Gélinas, $15 million cash, and three first-round draft picks. The trade, confirmed by both clubs, was announced this afternoon.

The reaction in Canada was swift and angry. NDP House Leader Nelson Riis demanded the government block the deal, and Oilers owner Peter Pocklington was burned in effigy outside the Edmonton arena.

Gretzky, 27, said he did not desert his country. "I'm still proud to be a Canadian. I didn't desert my country. I moved because I was traded," he told reporters at a news conference.

He learned of the planned trade from his father two hours after winning the Stanley Cup with Edmonton in June. As a final condition, he had to call Pocklington and personally request a trade.

In his first game back in Edmonton, a sold-out crowd of 17,503 gave him a four-minute standing ovation.

The Kings, who have never won a Stanley Cup, now have the game's greatest player.

• On August 9, 1988, the Oilers traded Wayne Gretzky, Marty McSorley, and Mike Krushelnyski to the Kings for Jimmy Carson, Martin Gélinas, $15 million cash, and three first-round picks.
• The trade so upset Canadians that NDP House Leader Nelson Riis demanded the government block it, and owner Peter Pocklington was burned in effigy.
• In Gretzky's first Edmonton game after the trade, a sold-out crowd of 17,503 gave him a four-minute standing ovation.
• Gretzky said, 'I'm still proud to be a Canadian. I didn't desert my country. I moved because I was traded.'
• Gretzky learned of the planned trade from his father two hours after winning the 1988 Stanley Cup with Edmonton.

Union Buildings Beat

1956 — 20,000 Women March on Pretoria in Protest Against Pass Laws

All races unite at Union Buildings to challenge Strijdom's pass law for black women.

The long struggle of South African women against the pass laws reached a dramatic climax today as an estimated 20,000 women of all races marched on Pretoria. It was a Thursday, the traditional day off for black domestic workers, and they came in their thousands to protest the introduction of pass laws for black women under apartheid.

Because large gatherings are banned, the women walked to the Union Buildings in small groups of twos and threes, converging on the seat of government. Led by Lillian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa, and Sophia Williams-De Bruyn, they aimed to present a petition to Prime Minister J.G. Strijdom.

The marchers stood in silence for thirty minutes, a gesture that spoke louder than any shout.

• An estimated 20,000 women of all races marched in Pretoria on 9 August 1956 to protest pass laws for black women.
• The march was held on a Thursday, the traditional day off for black domestic workers, to maximize attendance.
• The women walked to the Union Buildings in small groups of twos and threes because large groups were banned by authorities.
• The march was led by Lillian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa, and Sophia Williams-De Bruyn.
• The marchers aimed to present a petition to Prime Minister J.G. Strijdom protesting the introduction of pass laws for black women.

Leningrad Front Arts Desk

1942 — Shostakovich's Seventh Premieres in Besieged Leningrad

Eliasberg leads starving Leningrad Radio Orchestra and military performers in Shostakovich's Symphony No. 7, with three dying in rehearsals.

Conductor Karl Eliasberg lifted his baton in besieged Leningrad today to premiere Shostakovich's Symphony No. 7, performed by starving musicians of the Leningrad Radio Orchestra supplemented by military performers. Three died during rehearsals, and the orchestra could play the work only once before the concert.

• The Leningrad premiere was performed by surviving musicians of the Leningrad Radio Orchestra supplemented with military performers, conducted by Karl Eliasberg.
• Most musicians suffered from starvation; three died during rehearsals, and the orchestra could play the symphony all the way through only once before the concert.
• The concert was supported by a Soviet military offensive code-named Squall, intended to silence German forces during the performance.
• The symphony was broadcast to German lines by loudspeaker as a form of psychological warfare.
• The premiere took place on 9 August 1942, the day Adolf Hitler had designated to celebrate the fall of Leningrad with a banquet at the Astoria Hotel.

Court and Empire

1902 — Edward VII and Alexandra Crowned at Westminster Abbey

Eight thousand guests witness the crowning after surgery postponed the original date of 26 June.

Eight thousand guests filled Westminster Abbey today as Edward VII and Alexandra were crowned King and Queen of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor and Empress of India. The ceremony, originally set for 26 June, was postponed when the King underwent surgery for an abdominal abscess.

• The coronation took place at Westminster Abbey, London, on 9 August 1902.
• Originally scheduled for 26 June 1902, the ceremony was postponed because the King had an abdominal abscess requiring surgery.
• Queen Alexandra's coronation gown was embroidered by forty needle-workers in Delhi over five months.
• Sir Thomas Lipton organized a 'Coronation Dinner for the Poor of London' serving 500,000 dinners at 800 locations on 5 July 1902.
• The postponement led to the 'Coronation cases', setting a precedent in the English common law doctrine of frustration of purpose.

Pacific War Desk

1942 — Japanese Fleet Forces U.S. Navy to Withdraw in Solomons

First major naval battle of Guadalcanal campaign ends in American retreat.

Japanese naval forces forced the United States Navy to withdraw from the Solomon Islands on August 9, 1942, in the first major naval engagement of the Guadalcanal campaign. The battle, fought off Savo Island, saw American cruisers and destroyers take heavy losses as they attempted to protect the landing force.

The U.S. Navy, under the overall campaign codename Operation Watchtower, had landed Marines on Guadalcanal just days earlier. But the Japanese counterattack, launched under cover of darkness, caught the Allied ships by surprise. The American fleet was compelled to retire, leaving the Marines ashore without naval support.

Japanese forces suffered minimal damage in the engagement, but the night action was only the opening clash in a long struggle for control of the island.

• The engagement was the first major naval battle of the Guadalcanal campaign.
• The battle occurred on August 9, 1942, in the Solomon Islands.
• The Guadalcanal campaign was codenamed Operation Watchtower by the United States.
• The campaign included the Battle of Savo Island, a major naval engagement.