This day in history. Read about what happened today. A short and interesting account of historical events and facts about this day as well as any other day of the year. Find historical birthdays, deaths, tragedies, war events, disasters and sports events.

This year in history
In the year 1809

	January 19th	American writer and poet, Edgar Allan Poe, was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He was one of the leaders of the American Romantic Movement.
	February 3rd	German composer, Felix Mendelssohn, was born in Hamburg,. He was one of the most famous German composers of the early Romantic period.
	February 12th	British naturalist, Charles Darwin, was born in Shropshire, England. He was the author of 'The Origin of Species' and his theory of evolution have granted him a spot among humanity's greatest scientists.
	February 12th	President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, was born in Kentucky. He is seen by many as one of the greatest presidents in American history. He was the first president to be elected from the Republican Party. He was also the man responsible for ending slavery and the overseer of the Union's war during the American Civil War.
	May 31st	Austrian composer, Joseph Haydn, died at the age of 77. He was one of the leading composers of the Classical period.
	August 6th	English poet, Alfred Tennyson, was born in Lincolnshire. He is one of the most popular English language poets in history.
	September 18th	The Royal Opera House of London opened to the public.

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