February 12
February 12
The NAACP is founded
On February 12, 1909, the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth, a group that included African American leaders such as W.E.B. Du Bois and Ida B. Wells‑Barnett announced the formation of…
A Year In History: 1909
This Year in History:
1909
Discover what happened in this year with HISTORY’s summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.
April 6
April 6
Robert Peary almost reaches the North Pole
On April 6, 1909, American explorer Robert Peary accomplishes a long elusive dream, when he, assistant Matthew Henson and four Inuits reach what they determine to be the North Pole.…
July 29
July 29
General Motors buys Cadillac
On July 29, 1909, the newly formed General Motors Corporation (GM) acquires the country’s leading luxury automaker, the Cadillac Automobile Company, for $4.5 million. Cadillac was founded out of the…
August 19
August 19
First race is held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
On August 19, 1909, the first race is held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, now the home of the world’s most famous motor racing competition, the Indianapolis 500. Built on…
November 13
November 13
Ballinger‑Pinchot scandal erupts
The Ballinger‑Pinchot scandal erupts when Colliers magazine accuses Secretary of the Interior Richard Ballinger of shady dealings in Alaskan coal lands. It is, in essence, a conflict rooted in contrasting…
December 14
December 14
Drivers make first test laps at newly laid Indy “Brickyard”
On December 14, 1909, four months after tragedy struck at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, race car drivers test out its newly resurfaced—and presumably safer—track. Workers had just finished laying down…
