June 9: The day Simona Halep wrote history at Roland Garros. How he won his first Grand Slam title in an unforgettable final
On June 9, 2018, Simona Halep won her first Grand Slam title, winning at Roland Garros after an intense final with American Sloane Stephens. Also on a day of June 9, in 1870, Charles Dickens died, one of the most important writers of universal literature, and in 1912 Ion Luca Caragiale, considered the father of Romanian comedy, died.
Simona Halep won the Roland Garros trophy in 2018 PHOTO: Archive
1843: Birth of writer Bertha von Suttner, the first woman laureate of the Nobel Peace Prize
Bertha Sophia Felicita von Suttner was born on June 9, 1843 into an influential Austrian noble family, being the daughter of Field Marshal Kinsky, Prince von Wchinitz und Tettau. Throughout her life, she became one of the leading voices of 19th-century European pacifism and an active campaigner for peace.
After her marriage to Baron von Suttner, she settled in Tbilisi, Georgia (then part of the Russian Empire), where she lived for about ten years. During this period and later, he devoted himself to writing and pacifist ideas.
Bertha von Suttner Photo: wikipedia
In 1889 he published the novel “Jos armele!”, published in Dresden, which brought him international recognition and became an emblematic work of anti-war literature. Among his other works are “A Manuscript” (1885) and “Daniela Dormes” (1886).
Bertha von Suttner was close to Alfred Nobel, and her influence is considered important in shaping the Nobel Peace Prize. In 1905, she became the first woman in history to receive this distinction, confirming her major role in the peace movement.
1848: The beginning of the Pashoptist revolution in Muntenia. Islaz Proclamation
The revolutionary year 1848 encompassed the entire Romanian space, and in Wallachia, the events took off on June 9, when, in Islaz, the “Islaz Proclamation”, drafted by Ion Heliade Rădulescu, was read in front of a large popular gathering. This was a constitutional act inspired by the Declaration of Human and Citizen Rights from 1789, marking the beginning of the revolution in Wallachia.
The document proposed essential social, political and economic reforms: the abolition of boyar privileges, the guarantee of individual freedom, the emancipation of the people, the secularization of monastic assets and a constitutional system based on representativeness.
On June 15, the requests from Islaz were resumed in a new Great Assembly, this time on Filaret Square, in the presence of over 30,000 people.
1856: Vasile Alecsandri publishes “Hora Unirii”
On June 9, 1856, Vasile Alecsandri published in the magazine “Steaua Dunării” the poem “Hora Unirii”, a text that would become one of the literary symbols of the idea of national unity and, later, a veritable anthem of the Union of the Romanian Principalities.
The poem was set to music by the composer Alexandru Flechtenmacher, and the traditional dance of the choir transformed the creation into an expression of Romanian solidarity and unity. The work gained wide popularity in the context of the Union of 1859, when Moldova and Wallachia united under the leadership of Alexandru Ioan Cuza.
“Hora Unirii” was symbolically interpreted for the first time on January 24, 1859, when Romanians from both Principalities celebrated the Little Union. Danced by commoners and elites alike, it expressed the ideas of brotherhood, equality and hope for a common future.
Originally published in 1856 in “Steaua Dunării”, a magazine run by Mihail Kogălniceanu, Alecsandri's creation became widely known after Alexandru Flechtenmacher composed the accompanying music.
Over time, “Hora Unirii” became a symbol of national identity, the circle dance suggesting unity and equality between Romanians. The moment of the Union of 1859 opened the way to the great historical transformations that culminated in the Great Union of December 1, 1918.
1870: Charles Dickens, one of the greatest writers of English literature, died
On June 9, 1870, Charles Dickens, the famous British author, known for novels such as “Oliver Twist”, “David Copperfield” and “Great Expectations”, died. In particular, the short story “A Christmas Carol” (1843), written in just six weeks, remains one of the most beloved works of universal literature.
Charles Dickens Photo: Shutterstock
Dickens was a defender of the poor, inspired by his own childhood trauma: at the age of 12 he was forced to work in a factory after his father was imprisoned for debt.
Personal suffering and social injustice became constant themes in his writings, which is why his works had a strong moral and social impact on British and international audiences.
1874: First passenger flight with a hot air balloon over Bucharest
On June 9, 1874, the first flight of a hot air balloon with passengers took place over Bucharest. The aerostat, named “Mihai Bravul”, was built in Paris and transported to Romania with the help of the merchant M. Villemont.
The journalist Grigore Ventura and Villemont himself were on board. The balloon rose from the garden of the Metropolis and floated over the city, landing about 45 km away. The flight lasted almost an hour and marked the beginning of Romanian aviation.
Later, the balloon was also used for military purposes, being tested by Romanian army officers for terrain observation and meteorological measurements, which opened the way to the application of aerial technology in the strategic field.
1912: The great playwright IL Caragiale dies
Ion Luca Caragiale was born on January 30, 1852, in Haimanale (now Ion Luca Caragiale, Dâmbovița county) and died on June 9, 1912, in Berlin. He attended the “Petru și Pavel” High School in Ploiești, and finished his high school studies in Bucharest.
June 1: The day on which the famous actress Marilyn Monroe was born
Playwright Ion Luca Caragiale Photo: archive, the truth
Being attracted to the theater, he attended the Conservatory of Dramatic Art in Bucharest, later he attended the meetings of the “Junimea” theater, in whose magazine, “Convorbiri literare”, he published his main plays. He was a copyist, prompter, editor, school auditor, teacher, proofreader, registrar and general manager of theaters.
In 1905, the great playwright settled in Berlin.
We recall some of the well-known comedies written by IL Caragiale: “A stormy night”, “Conul Leonidas facing the Reaction”, “A lost letter” and “D-ale carnival”.
1963: The popular American actor Johnny Depp was born
On June 9, 1963, Johnny Depp was born in Owensboro, Kentucky, USA, according to IMDb. As a teenager, he dropped out of school at the age of 15 and became involved in several musical projects before turning his attention to acting.
The change in direction occurred following a meeting in Los Angeles with actor Nicolas Cage, who encouraged him to pursue a career in film. His debut took place in the production of “A Nightmare on Elm Street” (1984).
Johnny Depp Photo: Shutterstock
In 1987, he became known to the general public through the “21 Jump Street” series, and in the 90s he began collaborating with director Tim Burton, a decisive moment for his career. The leading role in “Edward Scissorhands” (1990) brought him international recognition and established him as an actor with unconventional artistic choices.
Later, he starred in productions such as “Ed Wood” (1994), “Donnie Brasco” (1997), with Al Pacino, and “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” (1998), directed by Terry Gilliam. In 1999 he appeared in “The Astronaut's Wife” and “Sleepy Hollow”.
In the 2000s, Depp solidified his status as an international star with roles such as Fred Abberline in From Hell (2001) and the success of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, which began in 2003 with The Curse of the Black Pearl, which also earned him an Oscar nomination.
He followed up with acclaimed roles in Secret Window (2004), Finding Neverland (2004)—for which he received an Oscar and BAFTA nomination—and The Libertine (2004), cementing his reputation as a versatile and maverick actor.
1978: Prince Nicolae of Romania, second son of King Ferdinand I of Romania, died
Prince Nicholas was born in 1903 in Sinaia and died in 1978, being buried in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Prince Nicholas had Tsar Nicholas II as his godfather. From January 1926, after the second abdication of Carol, a Regency was established. Upon the death of his father Ferdinand, in 1927, Prince Nicolae became regent at the age of 24, approaching the throne again, this time as the guardian of his nephew Mihai, still a minor.
The prince did not want to exceed his condition as a member of the Regency, not being proud and not having political ambitions.
Prince Nicolae died in 1978, and his last wish was that his remains be brought to the country, when possible. He was buried, thanks to the generosity of his wife, Princess Teresa, in the cemetery of Lausanne-Switzerland, next to Ioana Dolette, his first love.
June 3: 66 years since the death of Ana Pauker, the first woman from Romania to hold the positions of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs
“The bones of Prince Nicolae and Princess Ioana will be brought on November 15 to the Royal Necropolis of the New Cathedral in Curtea de Argeş. The gravestones are already prepared. I don't think that the remains of Prince Mircea will be brought this year”Archimandrite Caliopie Ichim revealed exclusively for “Adevărul”.
2018: Simona Halep wins her first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros
On June 9, 2018, Simona Halep won her first Grand Slam title, winning at Roland Garros after a spectacular final with the American Sloane Stephens, score 3-6, 6-4, 6-1.
Simona Halep won the Roland Garros trophy in 2018 Photo: archive, the truth
The Romanian had a difficult match, losing the first set, but came back impressively with a more varied and aggressive game, managing to dominate her opponent in the next two sets. In the decider, Halep completely controlled the pace of the game, confirming the status of world leader.
This was the first Grand Slam title of his career, achieved ten years after the junior victory on the same surface. For this success, Simona Halep received a prize of 2.2 million euros and 2000 WTA points, consolidating her position as world leader at that time
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Simona Halep Roland Garros 2018 jpeg
Born in Constanța, in an Aromanian family, Simona Halep started playing tennis at the age of 4, being initially coached by Ion Stan. His father, Stere Halep, a former soccer player, supported the athlete's career from the beginning. As a child, he also practiced handball, and at the age of 16 he moved to Bucharest to continue his performance career in tennis.
Throughout her training, Halep had Justine Henin and Andrei Pavel and Gheorghe Hagi as models.
