In History, Today on December 9

A volcanic eruption occurred on Whakaari/White Island in New Zealand, resulting in 22 deaths and multiple injuries. The disaster sparked debates about the risks of tourism on active volcanic sites.

South Korean President Park Geun-hye was impeached by the National Assembly following a corruption scandal, leading to her removal from office.

Anti-government protests in Ukraine continued to grow, drawing an estimated 800,000 people in Kyiv, in response to President Yanukovych's decision to suspend an association agreement with the EU and turn towards Russia instead.

The European Central Bank (ECB) announced it would nearly double its capital from €5.8 billion to €10.8 billion, a move aimed at enhancing the bank's financial stability amid the eurozone debt crisis stages.

Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested on federal corruption charges, including allegations of attempting to sell the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.

The United Nations Convention against Corruption was adopted by the General Assembly.

Lech Wałęsa is elected President of Poland, becoming the first democratically elected president of the country after the fall of communism.

The First Intifada, a Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation, begins in the Gaza Strip and West Bank.

The World Health Organization certifies the global eradication of smallpox, marking a significant victory in public health.

A Charlie Brown Christmas, the first Peanuts animated special, premieres on CBS, becoming a beloved holiday classic.

Tanganyika gains independence from the United Kingdom, later becoming part of Tanzania.

The John Birch Society, an American right-wing political advocacy group, is established by Robert W. Welch Jr. in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The 'Trial of the Major War Criminals' in Nuremberg, known as the Nuremberg Trials, concluded its last public session before the judicial panels delivered their verdicts the following year.

China formally declared war on Japan, Germany, and Italy, joining the Allied powers in World War II.

The Spanish Constitution of 1931 is enacted by the Second Spanish Republic. It established freedom of opinion, religion, and press, and introduced democratic reforms.

The French law on the Separation of the Churches and the State is passed, establishing state secularism in France and ending the funding of religious groups by the government.

Activist Marguerite Durand founded the feminist newspaper La Fronde in Paris, which was entirely run by women and had a notable influence on the women's rights movement in France.

The first YMCA in North America was established in Montreal as the Montreal YMCA, founded by George Williams and Thomas W. Earle.

The Texas Army, led by General Sam Houston, formally accepted the surrender of the Mexican garrison in San Antonio, Texas, following the Siege of Bexar.

The Battle of Ayacucho took place, leading to the defeat of Spanish royalist forces and securing the independence of Peru and the rest of South America from Spanish rule.

Noah Webster establishes New York's first daily newspaper, the American Minerva, which later becomes the New York Evening Post.

American Revolutionary War: The Siege of Quebec begins, a joint colonial military campaign aiming to bring Quebec into the rebellious colonies' fold.

The British Admiralty revokes its contract with Francis Furney and Nicholas Way, ending their joint postal delivery service from England to the American colonies amid concerns about increased smuggling and the reliability of their operations.

The Virgin of Guadalupe is said to have appeared to Juan Diego at Tepeyac, Mexico, an event that became a cornerstone of Mexican Catholic identity.

The Battle of Morgarten, which actually took place on November 15, 1315, resulted in a confederation of the three Swiss cantons of Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden. On December 9, 1315, these cantons renewed their alliance with the Pact of Brunnen, which was a step toward the formation of modern Switzerland.

Emperor Leo III issues a decree banning the veneration of icons, marking the beginning of the Byzantine Iconoclasm.

Byzantine General Belisarius enters Rome unopposed, beginning the Gothic War's siege of Rome.