- April 20
- Oracle announces it will acquire Sun Microsystems for more than US$7 billion. [35]
- April 27
- General Motors announces it will phase out the 82-year-old Pontiac brand by the end of 2010. [105]
- New York residents panic as a large passenger jet flies low over Manhattan, closely pursued by a fighter aircraft; plane is the President's Air Force One, ordered there by the White House for publicity photos. [426.41]
- April 28
- Republican Senator Arlen Specter announces his is switching to the Democratic Party, helping give the Democrats a super-majority of 60 senators. [426.27]
- April 29
- (to May 1) Heritage Numismatic Auctions conductions coin auctions at the Central States Numismatic Society convention in Cincinnati, Ohio. Some highlights:
- US 1804 Draped Bust dollar, Adams-Carter specimen, Class III, PR-58 PCGS: US$2.3 million;
- US 1794 Flowing Hair dollar, AU-55 NGC: US$345,000;
- US 1795 Draped Bust, Small Eagle, Centered Bust dollar, MS-65 PCGS US$253,000;
- US 1870-S Seated Liberty dollar, one of ten known, EF-40 PCGS: US$503,125.
[495.4] [496.68] [525.79]
- April 30
- The World Health Organization raises its global pandemic alert to Level 5 from Level 4 due to the spread of H1N1 flu virus. In the USA, about 300 schools are closed. In Mexico, the death toll reaches 176, and President Felipe Calderon tells government offices and private businesses not crucial to the economy to stop work on May 1 for five days, to avoid further spreading the virus. [35]
- Chrysler files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and announces a deal with Fiat. The US government announces it will provide up to US$3.5 billion in debtor-in-possession financing and up to US$4.5 billion in exit financing. The company is expected to continue under a new ownershop arrangement: 55 percent United Auto Workers' healthcare trust fund, Fiat 20 percent, U.S. and Canadian governments with a combined stake of 10 percent. [5] [35]
- April (month)
- The United States posts its first monthly deficit in 26 years, a record US$20.91 billion shortfall. The deficit for the first seven months of fiscal 2009: a record US$802.29 billion. [35]
- U.S. employers cut 504,000 jobs during the month, putting the unemployment rate up to 8.9 percent. [35]
- May 2
- The Pilgrim's Plunge water ride opens at Holiday World in Indiana, USA, the world's largest water ride drop at 131 feet high and 45-degree slope. [373.61]
- May 8
- Fannie Mae, the largest provider of U.S. home mortgage funding, reports a US$23.2 billion loss in the first quarter, and seeks US$19 billion in additional funding from the US Treasury. [35]
- May 11
- The NASA space shuttle Atlantis blasts off from Florida's Kennedy Space Center on a mission to fix the Hubble Space Telescope. [57]
- May 14
- The US Mint launches the 2009 Lincoln, Youth cent at Lincoln State Park in Lincoln City, Indiana, and releases the coin to circulation. [491.22]
- Chrysler eliminates 789 car dealerships in the US. [529.67]
- May 15
- US President Barack Obama nominates Rosa Gumataotao Rios to be next US treasurer. [520.10]
- General Motors eliminates 1100 car dealerships in the US. [529.67]
- May 16
- In Baltimore, Maryland, USA, the 134th running of the Preakness Stakes is held. The philly Rachel Alexandra wins, ridden by Calvin Borel, the first win for a philly since 1924. [105]
- May 21
- The US Mint releases the 2009 John Tyler Presidential dollar coin to circulation. [496.1] [498.4] [504.5]
- May 26
- US President Barack Obama announces the appointment of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court. [378.49]
- The US Mint releases the 2009 Guam quarter dollar coin to circulation. [496.4] [504.58] [505.4]
- May 27
- (to May 31) Heritage Numismatic Auctions conducts Central States Signature Auction. Some highlights:
- US 1804 $1 Class III, PR-58 PCGS: US$2.3 million;
- US 1870-S $1, EF-40 PCGS: US$503,125;
- US 1794 $1, MS-61 NGC: US$503,125;
- US 1876-CC 20-cent, MS-66 PCGS: US$460,000.
[498.18]
- May 29
- Jay Leno ends 17 years hosting NBC's The Tonight Show. [35]
- Heritage Auction Galleries conducts their Signature auction in Long Beach, California. A 1856-O Coronet double eagle, SP-63 PCGS, finest known sells for US$1,437,500. [506.5] [516.94]
- May (month)
- U.S. employers cut 345,000 jobs during the month, putting the unemployment rate up to 9.4 percent, highest since July 1983. [35]
- U.S. Consumer Price Index is 1.3 percent lower than one year ago, the largest decrease since 1950. [35]
- June 1
- American car-maker General Motors files for bankruptcy, the third-largest in U.S. history and the largest ever in U.S. manufacturing. The U.S. government will provide US$30 billion of additional taxpayer funds to restructure. [35] [564.17]
- New USA requirement goes into effect for passports or other approved identification to be shown at all entry points. [378.49]
- June 13
- New York-based theme park operator Six Flags files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, with US$2.4 billion in debt. [35]
- June 17
- Former American HealthSouth chief executive Richard Scrushy is ordered to pay US$2.9 billion after a judge found him responsible for an accounting fraud that nearly bankrupted the hospital chain. [35]
- June 20
- Ground is broken in New Mexico, USA, on the construction site of Spaceport America, the world's first purpose-built commercial spaceport. It will cost the New Mexico government almost US$200 million. [57]
- June 26
- The US House of Representatives passes the American Clean Energy and Security Act climate change bill, including cap and trade plan. [530.24]
- June 29
- Bernard Madoff is sentenced to 150 years in prison for "extraordinarily evil" crimes in Wall Street's biggest and most brazen investment fraud. [35] [530.72]
- June 30
- Minnesota Supreme Court rules Al Franken is the winner of the November 2008 election as US Senator, by a margin of 312 votes. This gives the Democrats 60 senators in Congress. [530.25]
- June (month)
- US job losses for the month: 467,000, taking the unemployment rate to 9.5 percent. [356.1]
- July 1
- Crabtree & Evelyn of Connecticut, USA files for bankruptcy protection. [355.B3]
- Shares of American International Group drop 22 percent, following shareholder approval of a 1-for-20 reverse stock split, and after the New York Stock Exchange accidentally announced the suspension and delisting of the stock. [355.C10]
- July 2
- American forces led by 4000 Marines begin a large offensive in southern Afghanistan against Taliban forces. [356.A7]
- California begins issuing billions of dollars in "IOUs" after failing to start the fiscal year with a balanced budget. With a US$26.3 billion deficit, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declares a fiscal emergency. [35]
- July 10
- General Motors emerges from bankruptcy protection after 40 days, with 60 percent ownership in the hands of the U.S. government. [35]
- July 24
- The US Senate confirms Rosa Gumataotao Rios to serve as 43rd US treasurer. [520.10]
- July 26
- Former world boxing champion Vernon Forrest is shot dead in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, the victim of an apparent robbery. [35]
- July 27
- The US Mint releases the 2009 American Samoa quarter dollar to circulation. [506.4] [518.10] [550.18]
- August 4
- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il pardons two American journalists, who had been arrested and imprisoned for illegal entry earlier in the year, after former U.S. President Bill Clinton meets with Kim in North Korea. [398]
- August 5
- Death of Baitullah Mehsud, by missile fired by US drone in South Waziristan, leader of Tehrik-Taliban in Pakistan. [532.36]
- August 6
- Rosa Gumataotao Rios takes the oath of office as 43rd US Treasurer. [502.4] [520.10] [548.97]
- August 13
- The US Mint releases the 2009 Lincoln, Professional Life cent to circulation. [506.4] [513.4]
- August 17
- Reader's Digest Association of New York announces it will file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for its U.S. businesses as part of a plan to cut debt by 75 percent. [35]
- August 20
- The US Mint releases the 2009 James Polk Presidential dollar to circulation. [506.4] [549.58]
- August 24
- The publisher of Reader's Digest in the US files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, carrying out its plan to cut debt and transfer ownership to a group of lenders. [35]
- The month-long "cash for clunkers" program in the US ends, with $2.9 billion spent by the US government in rebates on 690,000 low-efficiency vehicles. The top trade-in was the four-wheel-drive Ford Explorer; top new purchase was Toyota Corolla. [532.7]
- August 25
- U.S. President Barack Obama nominates Ben Bernanke to a second term as Federal Reserve chairman. [35]
- August 31
- Florida governor Charlie Crist signs a gambling pact with the Seminole tribe, lasting 20 years, specifying payment of minimum US$12.5 million per month for the first 30 months for the privilege of running legal slot machines and blackjack at their seven casinos. [361.40]
- August (month)
- U.S. unemployment rate: 9.7 percent, highest since June 1983. [35]
- September 2
- US drugmaker Pfizer agrees to pay US$2.3 billion in the largest healthcare fraud settlement in the history of the Department of Justice. The firm was found to have illegally promoted four drugs for uses which had not been approved by medical regulators. [57]
- September 6
- In Beverly Hills, California, Ira & Larry Goldberg, Auctioneers, conduct the auction of part one of the Dan Holmes collection of US large cents. Some highlights:
- 1793 Flowing Hair, Chain cent, "AMERI.", AU-58 PCGS: US$368,000;
- 1793 Flowing Hair, Chain cent, "AMERICA", MS-63 brown PCGS: US$402,500;
- 1793 Flowing Hair, Chain cent, "AMERICA", MS-63 brown / AU-50+ PCGS: US$253,000;
- 1793 Flowing Hair, Wreath cent, Strawberry Leaf, "ONE CENT" centered, Fair-2 PCGS: US$264,500;
- 1793 Flowing Hair, Wreath cent, Large Date and "LIBERTY", MS-65 brown / MS-63 prooflike PCGS: US$264,500;
- 1793 Liberty Cap, Wreath cent, bisected obverse, AU-55 / EF-45 PCGS: US$506,000;
- 1795 Liberty Cap, Reeded Edge cent, VG-10 PCGS, finest of seven known: US$1,265,000; first US large cent to sell for over $1 million;
- 1799/8 Draped Bust cent, EF-45 PCGS: US$368,000;
- 1799 Draped Bust cent, MS-61 PCGS: US$977,500;
- 1804 Draped Bust cent, MS-63 brown PCGS: US$661,250.
[548.79] [549.14] [551.1,72]
- September 7
- Busch Gardens in Florida closes The Big Bad Wolf roller coaster. 29 million fans rode the attraction, which was the world's first suspended roller coaster. [469.50]
- September 28
- The US Mint releases the 2009 US Virgin Islands quarter dollar to circulation. [506.4] [546.5] [552.88]
- September 30
- The US budget deficit hits a record US$1.4 trillion in the year to the end of September. [57]
- September (month)
- Job losses in the US during the month: 263,000, the 21st straight monthly decline and lifting the unemployment rate to a 26-year high of 9.8 percent. [35]
- July-September
- Bank of America, the largest bank in the USA, posts a US$1 billion quarterly loss. [35]
- October 24
- The number of US bank failures this year has topped more than 100 after US federal regulators shut down three small Florida banks. More US banks have now failed this year than in any year since 1992. [57]
- October 28
- NASA launches a prototype Ares I-X rocket from Florida to test technology for the development of a future manned launch vehicle. The US$450 million launcher is the first NASA has built in more than 30 years. [57]
- October 30
- The American Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation seizes nine failed banks, including Los Angeles-based California National Bank, the fourth-largest U.S. bank failure this year. [35]
- October (month)
- USA jobless rate: 10.2 percent, a 26-1/2-year high. Jobless rate including unemployed Americans who have given up looking for work hit a record 17.5 percent. [35]
- November 1
- US lender CIT Group files for bankruptcy protection, arranging with bondholders to reduce debt by US$10 billion. In its filing it showed US$71 billion in finance and leasing assets against total debt of US$64.9 billion, making this the fifth biggest in US corporate history. [57]
- November 6
- A US Army major opens fire on fellow soldiers at the Fort Hood military base in Texas, killing 13 people and injuring 30. [57]
- November 11
- At the Greensville Correctional Center in In Jarratt, Virginia, USA, John Allen Muhammad is executed by lethal injection. Muhannad was convicted of sniper shootings that killed 10 people and terrified the Washington, D.C., region in 2002. [35]
- November 12
- The US Mint releases the 2009 Lincoln, Presidency cent to circulation. [506.4] [513.4] [607.1]
- November 13
- NASA scientists announce that last month's experiment to find water on the Moon was a major success, revealing ice and water vapor in the debris field of smashing a rocket into a crater. [57] [398]
- November 19
- The US Mint releases the 2009 Zachary Taylor Presidential dollar to circulation. [506.4] [607.18]
- November 29
- Somali pirates capture the Greek-owned Maran Centaurus supertanker carrying oil from Saudi Arabia to the US. [57]
- November 30
- The US Mint releases the 2009 Northern Mariana Islands quarter dollar to circulation. [506.4] [546.5] [559.4] [609.5]
- December 1
- US President Barack Obama announces an additional 30,000 U.S. troops will be sent to Afghanistan, over the coming summer and fall. [35]
- December 18
- The UN climate conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, ends with a only compromise climate deal, and a vow to work out the details later. Leaders of the following countries sign on to the deal: Canada, USA, China, India, Brazil and South Africa. The agreement offers money to developing nations to help them fight global warming. The agreement is not binding and does not set new greenhouse-gas reduction targets. [105]
- December 22
- The US White House appoints former eBay and Microsoft executive Howard Schmidt as its cybersecurity chief. [57]
- December 24
- The Barack Obama administration pledges to back mortgage finance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac up to US$810 billion during 2010, up from the current US$200 billion, no matter how big their losses may be in the next three years. [35]
- December 25
- A Nigerian man, Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab, tries to ignite powder and liquid explosives on Northwest Airlines plane Flight 253 from Nigeria via Amsterdam as it is preparing to land in Detroit. The man is subdued and the plane lands safely with no injuries. [105] [381.6] [636.56]
- December 30
- The U.S. Treasury injects another US$3.8 billion into GMAC Financial Services to help cover mortgage losses, making the government the majority owner (56.3 percent) of the company. [35]
- Humam Jhalil Abu Mulal al-Balawi blows himself up in CIA base in Afghanistan, killing seven Americans and a Jordanian intelligence officer. [636.69]
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