The unit was initially formed in 1879, after the Romanian War of Independence, as "Divizia Activă de Dobrogea" (Dobruja Active Division). In 1903 it was renamed to "9th Infantry Division", designation under which it participated in both world wars. In World War I it fought during the Battle of Mărășești where it defended the most difficult sector, being under constant attacks for two weeks. For its heroic actions in this battle, the 9th Infantry Division received the honorific name "Mărășești". In World War II, the division fought on both the Eastern Front, where it took part in the Battle of Stalingrad, and on the Western Front, participating in the liberation of Hungary and Czechoslovakia.