January 4
January 4
Louis Braille is born
On January 4, 1809, Louis Braille is born in Coupvray, France. He would go on to develop the writing system for visually impaired readers that bears his name: braille. Braille…
A Year In History: 1809
This Year in History:
1809
Discover what happened in this year with HISTORY’s summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.
January 19
January 19
Edgar Allan Poe is born
On January 19, 1809, poet, author and literary critic Edgar Allan Poe is born in Boston, Massachusetts. By the time he was three years old, his father had abandoned the…
February 12
February 12
Abraham Lincoln is born
Future U.S. president Abraham Lincoln is born in Hodgenville, Kentucky on February 12, 1809. Lincoln, one of America’s most admired presidents, grew up a member of a poor family in Kentucky and…
April 19
April 19
Thomas Jefferson sells indentured servant to newly elected President James Madison
On April 19, 1809, former President Thomas Jefferson writes up a contract for the sale of an indentured servant named John Freeman to newly sworn‑in President James Madison. Slavery and…
October 11
October 11
Meriwether Lewis dies along the Natchez Trace, Tennessee
On October 11, 1809, the famous explorer Meriwether Lewis dies under mysterious circumstances in the early hours of the morning after stopping for the night at Grinder’s Tavern along the…
