0409 Today in History

April 9th, 1865. The American Civil War effectively ends after four years and more than a half million deaths. Confederate General Robert E Lee surrenders his forces to Union General Ulysses S Grant at Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia. 2003. Iraqis celebrate the collapse of Saddam Hussein’s regime in the capital Baghdad. They topple a statue of their longtime dictator just weeks after the US-led invasion of Iraq 1959 NASA announces the 1st 7 astronauts for America’s space program, a group dubbed the Mercury 71939. In Washington, African American singer Marian Anderson performs at the Lincoln Memorial. That happens after the Daughters of the American Revolution ban Anderson from singing at their headquarters because of her race and 2005 that we may grow together in love and peace all the days of our life. Prince Charles, heir to the British throne, marries his longtime love, Camilla Parker Bowles. She takes the title Duchess of Cornwall and not Princess of Wales, the title held by Charles first wife, the late Princess Diana. Today in History, April 9th. Sandy Cosell. The Associated Press.