In History, Today on December 9

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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