Discover what happened on November 9 in history as a deadly storm devastated the Great Lakes, groundbreaking advances transformed broadcasting and space exploration, historic political events changed the world, and Michigan connections appeared in some remarkable places.
What Happened on November 9 in History?
On this day, the Great Lakes Storm of 1913 reached its deadliest period, Robert McNamara became president of Ford Motor Company, Rolling Stone published its first issue, the Berlin Wall opened, and the USS Gerald R. Ford was christened.
NOVEMBER 9 – TODAY IN HISTORY:
1620 – After more than two months at sea, passengers aboard the Mayflower sighted Cape Cod, in what is now Massachusetts. The ship would anchor in Provincetown Harbor two days later, before the Pilgrims eventually established Plymouth Colony.
1799 – Napoleon Bonaparte helped overthrow France’s ruling Directory in the Coup of 18 Brumaire, setting the stage for his rise as First Consul and eventually emperor of France.
1906 – President Theodore Roosevelt departed the United States for Panama to inspect construction of the Panama Canal, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to travel outside the country during his presidency.
1913 – The Great Lakes Storm of 1913, sometimes called the “White Hurricane,” unleashed hurricane-force winds, blinding snow, and enormous waves across the Great Lakes. The disaster sank numerous ships and claimed more than 250 lives, making it one of the deadliest storms in Great Lakes history.
1953 – In Toolson v. New York Yankees, the U.S. Supreme Court reaffirmed professional baseball’s longstanding exemption from federal antitrust laws, leaving any major change to Congress.
1960 – Robert McNamara became president of Ford Motor Company, the first person outside the Ford family to hold the position. His tenure lasted only a few weeks before President-elect John F. Kennedy selected him to serve as secretary of defense.
1961 – U.S. Air Force test pilot Robert M. White flew the experimental X-15 rocket plane at more than 4,000 miles per hour, setting a new speed record and advancing research into high-speed flight.
1961 – The Professional Golfers’ Association of America removed its Caucasian-only membership requirement, eliminating a discriminatory rule that had excluded Black golfers from PGA membership.
1965 – A massive electrical blackout plunged much of the northeastern United States and parts of Canada into darkness, affecting approximately 30 million people. The outage lasted up to 13 hours in some areas and exposed weaknesses in the interconnected electrical grid.
1967 – The first issue of Rolling Stone magazine was published in San Francisco, featuring John Lennon on the cover. The publication would become one of the most influential voices in rock music, popular culture, and journalism.
1967 – NASA successfully launched the first Saturn V rocket on the uncrewed Apollo 4 mission from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The enormous rocket would later carry astronauts toward the Moon.
1970 – Grand Rapids television station WZZM-TV Channel 13 began airing Sesame Street, bringing the groundbreaking educational children’s program to West Michigan viewers before the area had its own PBS television station.
1982 – Boxer Sugar Ray Leonard announced his retirement after undergoing surgery for a detached retina. He later returned to the ring, eventually winning additional world championships.
1984 – Wes Craven’s horror film A Nightmare on Elm Street opened in theaters, introducing audiences to Freddy Krueger, the terrifying villain who stalks teenagers in their dreams.
1984 – The bronze sculpture The Three Servicemen, created by Frederick Hart, was dedicated near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC. The statue depicts three American soldiers and complements Maya Lin’s memorial wall.
1988 – The horror film Child’s Play opened in theaters, introducing audiences to Chucky, the murderous doll who became one of horror cinema’s most recognizable villains.
1989 – East Germany unexpectedly opened border crossings into West Berlin after a confusing government announcement about travel restrictions. Thousands of people streamed through the Berlin Wall, celebrating a historic moment that helped bring the Cold War to an end.
1997 – Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders became the first player in NFL history to rush for at least 1,000 yards in nine consecutive seasons, further establishing himself as one of football’s greatest running backs.
1998 – A federal judge approved a settlement of approximately $1.03 billion in a class-action lawsuit involving allegations that major securities dealers had manipulated prices in NASDAQ stocks.
2004 – Microsoft released Halo 2 for the Xbox, expanding the enormously popular science-fiction video game franchise and helping establish online multiplayer gaming as a major console feature.
2004 – First Lady Laura Bush participated in the reopening of a renovated section of Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House as a pedestrian-friendly public space.
2005 – President George W. Bush presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom to several notable Americans, including Aretha Franklin, Muhammad Ali, Carol Burnett, and Andy Griffith, during a White House ceremony.
2013 – The U.S. Navy christened the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford at Newport News, Virginia. Named for the former president who grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the ship became the lead vessel of a new class of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.
2016 – Donald Trump was projected the winner of the presidential election in the early morning hours, defeating Hillary Clinton to become the 45th president of the United States.
2023 – Surgeons at NYU Langone Health announced the world’s first successful transplantation of an entire human eye as part of an extensive facial transplant. The transplanted eye survived with blood flow, although the patient had not regained sight through it.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS ON NOVEMBER 9:
Ti-Grace Atkinson – 88 years old (1938) – Author and critic
Paul Cameron – 87 years old (1939) – Psychologist and academic
Robert David Hall – 79 years old (1947) – Actor, singer, and pianist
Joe Bouchard – 78 years old (1948) – Bass player and songwriter
Lou Ferrigno – 75 years old (1951) – Bodybuilder and actor
Sherrod Brown – 74 years old (1952) – Academic and politician
Sarah Franklin – 66 years old (1960) – American-English anthropologist and academic
Demetra Plakas – 66 years old (1960) – Drummer
Anthony Bowie – 63 years old (1963) – Basketball player
Robert Duncan McNeill – 62 years old (1964) – Actor, director, and producer
Ryan Murphy – 61 years old (1965) – Television writer, producer, and director
Sandra Denton – 57 years old (1969) – Jamaican-American rapper and actress
Roxanne Shanté – 57 years old (1969) – Rapper
Allison Wolfe – 57 years old (1969) – Singer-songwriter
Nelson Diebel – 56 years old (1970) – Swimmer and coach
Bill Guerin – 56 years old (1970) – Ice hockey player, coach, and executive
Chris Jericho – 56 years old (1970) – American-Canadian wrestler
Scarface – 56 years old (1970) – Rapper and producer
Susan Tedeschi – 56 years old (1970) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist
David Duval – 55 years old (1971) – Golfer and sportscaster
Nick Lachey – 53 years old (1973) – Singer-songwriter, producer, and actor
Sisqó – 48 years old (1978) – Singer-songwriter, producer, and actor
Dave Bush – 47 years old (1979) – Baseball player
Adam Dunn – 47 years old (1979) – Baseball player
Vanessa Lachey – 46 years old (1980) – Filipino-American television host and actress
Boaz Myhill – 44 years old (1982) – American-Welsh footballer
Ted Potter Jr. – 43 years old (1983) – Golfer
French Montana – 42 years old (1984) – Moroccan-American rapper
Nikki Blonsky – 38 years old (1988) – Actress, singer, and dancer
Lio Tipton – 38 years old (1988) – Actor and model
Lyrica Okano – 32 years old (1994) – Actress
DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR NOVEMBER 9:
- National Fried Chicken Sandwich Day: Picture the crispiest, juiciest, most delicious bite you've ever taken - that's what you'll get with this mouth-watering sandwich!
- World Freedom Day: Commemorate the fall of the Berlin Wall and the Iron Curtain on World Freedom Day and call for liberty everywhere through protest and political activism.
- Carl Sagan Day: A unique mind, Carl Sagan offered the world a variety of new discoveries in science as well as new ways to think about the world.
- Go to an Art Museum Day: Go to an Art Museum Day is a special day celebrated each year on November 9th. This day invites everyone to explore the fascinating world of art by visiting museums. Whether you're a seasoned art lover or just curious, it's a perfect opportunity to experience the diversity and beauty of...
- World Orphans Day: Take care of parentless children by raising awareness of their plight, organizing a fundraiser or sponsoring a child on World Orphans Day.
- Rad Tech Week: Rad Tech Week is a lively celebration of radiologic technologists and their essential work in the medical field. This special week shines a spotlight on the professionals who use cutting-edge imaging technology to diagnose and treat countless conditions. From X-rays to MRIs, these skilled technologists help doctors understand what’s happening...
- British Pudding Day: Tracing its history back to the early 14th century, British pudding has evolved over time. The name likely started out as “poding”, which literally was an animal stomach filled with meat and boiled. And considering that at the time it was something sort of like a sausage, the term was...
- National Book Award Week: National Book Award Week, celebrated from November 7 to 13, shines a spotlight on the power of storytelling and the diversity of voices in American literature. This special week marks a time to honor and discover the incredible works of authors that shape our understanding and enjoyment of books. From...
- Microtia Awareness Day: Microtia Awareness Day is a special event dedicated to raising awareness about a rare congenital condition called microtia. This condition causes individuals to be born with underdeveloped outer ears. The day aims to educate the public and build empathy towards those affected. It highlights the unique challenges faced by people...
- National Scrapple Day: A humble regional dish, made from resourceful and sustainable traditions, reflects the rich history and culinary heritage of a community.
- Dear Santa Letter Week: Have you ever wondered what it feels like to send a wish directly to Santa Claus? Every year, during Dear Santa Letter Week, children and adults alike take pen to paper to craft personal messages to the jolly old elf. Celebrated during November, this week captures the essence of childhood...
- Nurse Practitioner Week: Nurse Practitioner Week is a lively celebration of the essential work nurse practitioners (NPs) do. This special week highlights their contributions to healthcare, emphasizing their role in delivering high-quality, patient-centered care. The week draws attention to the unique combination of clinical expertise and compassionate care that NPs provide. It's a...
- National Recycling Week: National Recycling Week is an exciting time to highlight the significance of recycling. This week aims to educate and inspire individuals, communities, and organizations to improve their recycling habits. Celebrating National Recycling Week helps spread awareness about the importance of recycling. It emphasizes reducing waste, reusing materials, and recycling properly. These...
- World Adoption Day: Have you ever seen a family brought together not by birth, but by choice? World Adoption Day shines a light on those powerful connections. It’s a day filled with joy, where people celebrate the love that builds families through adoption. You’ll see smiling faces, hear moving stories, and feel the warmth...
- Celebrate Social Media Kindness Day: How many times have you scrolled through your feed and seen someone torn apart by strangers? Social Media Kindness Day steps in to change that tone. It pushes back against the wave of online hate with something simple—kindness. People use this day to post encouragement, share kind words, and support those...
- Geriatric Tooth Fairy Day: Geriatric Tooth Fairy Day is a special occasion dedicated to raising awareness about the critical importance of oral health in older adults, especially those in long-term care. Many seniors face challenges maintaining their dental hygiene due to physical limitations or reliance on caregivers. Poor dental hygiene can lead to serious...
- Chaos Never Dies Day: Unleash your inner spontaneous adventurer and savor every joyful second of this incredible ride called life. Embrace the now and let the good times roll!
- National Louisiana Day: Get ready to celebrate all of the great things that the state of Louisiana has to offer to the world, because it’s time for National Louisiana Day! History of National Louisiana Day Joining the USA as the 18th state in the Union, Louisiana was added as a state in 1812...
- Brian Holland Legacy Day: Brian Holland Legacy Day is a lively celebration dedicated to honoring the life and contributions of Brian Holland, a beloved community leader. This day highlights his tireless efforts to support those in need and his unwavering advocacy for equality and kindness. Friends and family remember him as a selfless individual...
- Eleven09 Day: Eleven09 Day is a special occasion that brings people together to honor and celebrate significant military achievements. It recognizes the adjustment period needed for veterans to get back to civilian life. This day is dedicated to acknowledging efforts, fostering a sense of unity, and inspiring positive actions within communities. It...
- Web Summit Lisbon: Web Summit Lisbon stands as one of the world's largest technology conferences. It brings together over 70,000 attendees from various sectors, including tech startups, investors, and global leaders. The four-day event, which takes place in the lively city of Lisbon, offers a platform for networking, learning, and innovation. Participants get...
- National Split Pea Soup Week: Savoring a comforting blend of legumes, slow-cooked to perfection, offering warmth and nourishment during the cold season.
- Human-Animal Relationship Awareness Week: From our furry companions to majestic wildlife, our connection with the animal kingdom is a bond that goes beyond words.
- Sugar Awareness Week: Have you ever checked the ingredients on your favorite snack? Sugar shows up in places you wouldn't expect—like pasta sauce, bread, and yogurt. Sugar Awareness Week brings attention to this sneaky habit in the food world. It challenges everyone to take a closer look at what they eat and drink each...
- National Young Readers Week: Fostering young minds' love for stories and expanding horizons through the magic of books; opening doors to imagination.
- Children’s Book Week : Spark the joy of exploration in young minds through tales that open doors to realms of endless fascination and growth.
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