1. **State the problem:** Evaluate the expression $$(-9)^2 \cdot (-9)^2$$. 2. **Recall the formula and rules:** When raising a number to a power, $$a^n$$ means multiplying $$a$$ by itself $$n$$ times. 3. **Calculate each term:** $$(-9)^2 = (-9) \times (-9) = 81$$ 4. **Substitute back into the expression:** $$(-9)^2 \cdot (-9)^2 = 81 \cdot 81$$ 5. **Multiply the results:** $$81 \cdot 81 = 6561$$ 6. **Final answer:** $$\boxed{6561}$$