April 9

Scott Winters April 9, 2025 0 Comments

A quick look at Today in History, check out some Celebrity Birthdays, and find out what Days of the Year to celebrate.

TODAY IN HISTORY:

1682 – Robert Cavelier de La Salle discovered the mouth of the Mississippi River. He claimed it for France and named it Louisiana.

1833 – Peterborough, NH, opened the first municipally supported public library in the United States.

1865 – Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendere his army to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House in Virginia.

1866 – The Civil Rights Bill passed over President Andrew Johnson’s veto.

1867 – The U.S. Senate ratified the treaty with Russia that purchased the territory of Alaska by one vote.

1872 – S.R. Percy received a patent for dried milk.

1912 – The first exhibition baseball game was held at Fenway Park in Boston, MA. The game was between Red Sox and Harvard.

1913 – On opening day at Ebbets Field, the new home of the Brooklyn Dodgers, fans had to wait for an hour to get into the ballpark because nobody brought the key. The Dodgers lost to Philadelphia 1-0.

1914 – In London, the first full-color movie, “The World, The Flesh & the Devil”, was shown.

1940 – Patent number 2,196,914 was awarded to Sylvan Goldman for his “folding basket carriers”. Today we call it a shopping cart.

1945 – The U.S. Atomic Energy Commission was formed.

1945 – National Football League officials made it mandatory for football players to wear socks in all league games.

1950 – Bob Hope made his first television appearance on “Star-Spangled Review” on NBC-TV.

1957 – The Suez Canal was cleared for all shipping.

1959 – NASA announced the selection of America’s first seven astronauts. The news media begins to refer to them as the “Mercury Seven”.

1965 – “TIME” magazine featured a cover with the entire “Peanuts” comic gang.

1965 – The Houston Astrodome opened in Houston, TX. The first indoor baseball game was played.

1967 – The first Boeing 737 made its maiden flight.

1968 – Murdered civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., was buried.

1970 – Paul McCartney quit the Beatles.

1983 – The Space Shuttle Challenger concluded it first flight.

1984 – The song “Flashdance…What a Feeling”, by Irene Cara, won Best Song at the Oscars.

1986 – It was announced that Patrick Duffy’s character on the TV show Dallas would be returning after being killed off.

1987 – Dikye Baggett became the first person to undergo corrective surgery for Parkinson’s disease.

1992 – President George H.W. Bush fell ill at a state dinner in Japan. He became pale, slumped in his chair, and threw up on the Japanese Prime Minister.

2000 – CBS-TV aired “Failsafe.” It was the first live full-length show to by aired by CBS in 39 years.

2001 – American Airlines’ parent company acquired the bankrupt TWA and becomes America’s largest carrier.

2003 – Baghdad fell to American forces. Iraqis turned on symbols of their former leader Saddam Hussein, pulling down a statue of him and tearing it into pieces.

2005 – Prince Charles married longtime love Camilla Parker Bowles, Duchess of Cornwall, in a civil ceremony in London.

2007 – The iTunes Music Store reached 2.5 billion songs sold.

2007 – Apple announced it had sold its one-hundred millionth iPod.

2009 – The television show “Parks and Recreation” premiered on NBC.

2017 – After 38 years, the Detroit Red Wings played their last game at Joe Louis Arena, beating the New Jersey Devils 4-1 in front of 20,027 fans.

2017 – After refusing to give up his seat on an overbooked United Airlines flight, Dr. David Dao Duy Anh was forcibly dragged off the flight by security officers. This lead to major criticism of United Airlines.

2020 – Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer extended the state’s “Stay Home” order until May 1st.

BIRTHDAYS:

Tom Lehrer – 97 years old (1928) – Songwriter

Michael Learned – 86 years old (1939) – Actress (TV’s, “The Waltons”, “All My Sons”, “Nurse”)

Dennis Quaid – 71 years old (1954) – Actor (“Wyatt Earp”, “The Right Stuff”, “The Big Easy”, “The Rookie”, “Everybody’s All American”, “Great Balls of Fire”)

Jimmy Tingle – 70 years old (1955) – Comedian

Lisa Guerrero – 61 years old (1964) – Reporter (TV’s “Monday Night Football”, “Inside Edition”)

Paulina Porizkova – 60 years old (1965) – Model, actress, TV judge (TV’s “America’s Next Top Model”)

Cynthia Nixon – 59 years old (1966) – Actress (“The Manhattan Project”, “Sex and the City”, “Sex and the City 2”, “Amadeus”, “The Pelican Brief”, “Little Manhattan”, “5 Flights Up”, “James White”, “A Quiet Passion”)

Kevin Martin – 56 years old (1969) – Lead vocalist (Candlebox)

Keshia Knight Pulliam – 46 years old (1979) – Actress (Played Rudy on TV’s “The Cosby Show”, “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne”)

Ryan Northcott – 45 years old (1980) – Actor (“Mystery, Alaska, Ripper”, TV’s “The Beach Boys: An American Family”)

Leighton Meester – 39 years old (1986) – Actress (TV’s “Gossip Girl”, movies “Killer Movie”, “Country Strong”, “The Roommate”, “Monte Carlo”, “The Oranges”, “The Judge”)

Jesse McCartney – 38 years old (1987) – Actor (TV’s “Summerland”, “All My Children”)

Kristen Stewart – 35 years old (1990) – Actress (“Panic Room”, “Twilight”, “New Moon”, “Snow White and the Huntsman”, “The Runaways”, “On the Road”, “Into the Wild”, “In the Land of Women”, “Catch That Kid!”)

Elle Fanning – 27 years old (1998) – Actress (“Maleficent”, “Super 8”, “We Bought a Zoo”)

TODAY IS:

National Unicorn Day: Bake delicious, fanciful Unicorn cupcakes, watch a fantasy movie like The Chronicles of Narnia, or research the history of these elegant mythological creatures.
International Day of Pink: This day uses the color pink to raise awareness and fight against bullying, discrimination, homophobia, transphobia, and transmisogyny across the world.
National Winston Churchill Day: Find out about the remarkable, often quoted figure who was only the second person to become an “Honorary US Citizen”.
International ASMR Day: ASMR can help sufferers of PTSD, anxiety, depression, and insomnia. It can also help relax you, no matter the reason. Check out Youtube to experience this phenomenon.
Appomattox Day: Appomattox Day marks a key event in American history, bringing the end to the Civil War. It celebrates the moment when General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant at the McLean House. This surrender signaled the effective end of the nation's bloodiest conflict and began a process...
National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day: Honoring the sacrifice of those who endured captivity in service to their nation, their bravery is a testament to the human spirit.
National Mature Women’s Day: Wise and accomplished, women embrace life's chapters, radiating strength and wisdom, a celebration of experience and resilience.
Education and Sharing Day: Unlock the power of education by making learning a collaborative experience! Together we can expand our knowledge and enrich our lives.
National Cherish An Antique Day: Ask the older members of your family about the histories behind the antiques in your home. Clocks, dishware, jewelry and more can hold surprising stories.
Global Holistic Wealth Day: Complete well-being, weaving prosperity across life facets, encompasses fulfillment, health, and purpose in a seamless tapestry of existence.
National Name Yourself Day: Maybe you always felt like your name didn’t reflect who you are, or maybe you just want to try something new. Re-invent yourself for one day by choosing a new name..
National Chicken Little Awareness Day: National Chicken Little Awareness Day is a fun and insightful celebration inspired by the tale of Chicken Little. The day focuses on the themes of panic and overreaction, reminding us not to let fear dictate our actions. The story of Chicken Little, who thought the sky was falling, serves as...
National Chinese Almond Cookie Day: Have you ever tried a Chinese almond cookie? This crisp, golden treat melts in your mouth with a delicate almond flavor. Often round like a coin, it symbolizes good luck and prosperity. Many enjoy it with tea, letting the nutty sweetness balance the warmth of each sip. Its buttery texture...
Vimy Ridge Day: Vimy Ridge Day is a significant occasion in Canada, celebrating a crucial moment in the nation's history. The day commemorates the victory of Canadian forces during the Battle of Vimy Ridge in World War I. This battle marked a turning point, showcasing Canadian strength and unity. On this day, people...
National Library Week: Silent realms of knowledge, these havens harbor stories and wisdom, inviting exploration beyond the whispers of time.
Discover National Parks Fortnight: Discover National Parks Fortnight invites everyone to join in on an adventure - exploring the stunning landscapes and rich biodiversity of national parks. This fantastic outdoor-themed event spans two weeks each year. This period is the ideal opportunity to reconnect with the great outdoors and appreciate the environmental treasures within...
Community Garden Week: Community Garden Week comes around each year vibrant spring flowers begin to light up the landscape. This special week-long observation highlights the many worthy community and school gardens that dot our landscapes. These gardening efforts do more than add beauty (although they undoubtedly do!). Indeed, they serve as hubs for...
Bee Active Bee Healthy Bee Happy Week: "Bee Active Bee Healthy Bee Happy Week is so much more than just a catchphrase. Indeed, it is a call to action. This week, founded by The Running Bee Foundation in Manchester, United Kingdom, is an effort to help reduce childhood obesity. Their goal is to help children learn the...
Make Mine Chocolate: "Make Mine Chocolate" is a lively campaign urging people to think twice before giving live rabbits as Easter gifts. The campaign encourages people to opt for chocolate bunnies instead. This approach helps spread the message of responsible pet ownership while offering a sweet alternative that won't end up in shelters...
National Green Week: National Green Week is an exciting initiative that brings attention to the importance of environmental sustainability. Schools and organizations across the country use this week to engage students in activities that promote greener living. The event aims to inspire young minds to adopt eco-friendly habits that can make a lasting...
Time Of Remembrance And Reconciliation: The Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation begins with a simple idea—remembering those who never returned from war. Behind every loss is a face, a voice, a life cut short. This day invites us to slow down and think about those people. Not as soldiers in a history book, but as someone’s...
Blue Ribbon Week: Blue Ribbon Week is a time dedicated to raising awareness about child abuse, symbolized by the blue ribbon. Across communities, people come together to support efforts that protect children from harm. During this week, the focus shifts to understanding the serious impact of abuse and neglect, which often goes unnoticed...
FOP Awareness Month: Raising awareness for a rare condition, efforts unite to support those facing the challenges of Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva.
National Public Health Week: The well-being of communities — disease prevention, and better living through knowledge and action, towards a healthier world.