February 9

Scott Winters February 9, 2026 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:

1825 – The U.S. House of Representatives elected John Quincy Adams as President. No candidate had received a majority of electoral votes.

1847 – The city of Holland, MI was founded when Dutch immigrants fled religious persecution and economic distress and followed their leader Rev. Albertus VanRaalte to West Michigan.

1870 – The United States Weather Bureau was authorized by Congress. The bureau is officially known as the National Weather Service (NWS).

1884 – Thomas Edison and Patrick Kenny executed a patent application for a chemical recording stock quotation telegraph (U.S. Pat. 314,115).

1895 – William G. Morgan created a game called Mintonette, which soon would be called Volleyball.

1932 – America entered the 2-man bobsled competition for the first time at the Olympic Winter Games held at Lake Placid, NY.

1934 – Lowest temperature ever recorded in the state of Michigan… -51 at Vanderbilt (just north of Gaylord).

1942 – Production of civilian automobiles stopped when all manufacturers in Detroit shifted to wartime production and made Detroit the “Arsenal of Democracy”.

1942 – Year-round Daylight Saving Time was re-instated as a wartime measure to help conserve energy resources.

1951 – Trying to dodge the draft by being guilty of a small crime, Richard Shay sets fire to the Michigan State Offices in Lansing. The fire caused $5 million in damage.

1964 – The Beatles made the first of three record-breaking appearances on TV’s “The Ed Sullivan Show” before a record breaking audience of 73 million television viewers.

1969 – The first test flight of the Boeing 747.

1971 – Satchel Paige became the first Negro League player to be voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

1971 – The Apollo 14 spacecraft returned to Earth after the third crewed Moon landing.

1975 – Cher’s television variety show debuted on CBS with Elton John, Bette Midler and Flip Wilson as guest stars.

1979 – The movie “The Warriors” opened in theaters.

1986 – Halley’s Coment last appeared in the inner Solar System.

1997 – With their 167th episode, “The Simpsons” became the longest-running prime-time animated series, taking the record previously held by “The Flintstones”. The show still holds the record.

1999 – A California jury awarded the largest judgment ever reached in a smoking related case. A woman said that her inoperable lung cancer was caused by decades of smoking cigarettes, primarily the Philip Morris Marlboro brand. She was awarded $51.5 million.

1999 – The Reverend Jerry Falwell insisted that “Tinky Winky”, the purple Teletubby, was gay.

2001 – The movie “Hannibal,” the sequel to “Silence of the Lambs,” opened in theaters.

2002 – Conan O’Brien signed an $8 million a year deal to stay at his Late Night desk for another four years.

2004 – Diana Ross pleaded guilty to DUI charges in Tucson, AZ, and was ordered to spend two days in jail.

2014 – Scientists at the Australian National University observed the oldest star in the universe for the first time. The star is 6,000 light years from Earth and is believed to be 13.7 billion years old.

2018 – The opening ceremony for the Winter Olympics took place in Pyeongchang County in South Korea.

2021 – The second impeachment trial of Donald Trump began.

BIRTHDAYS:

Barry Mann – 87 years old (1939) – Pianist, songwriter, and producer

Kermit Gosnell – 85 years old (1941) – Abortionist and serial killer

Sheila Kuehl – 85 years old (1941) – Actress, lawyer, gay rights activist, and politician

Carole King – 84 years old (1942) – Singer-songwriter and pianist

Barbara Lewis – 83 years old (1943) – Singer-songwriter

Joe Pesci – 83 years old (1943) – Actor

Joseph Stiglitz – 83 years old (1943) – Economist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate

Alice Walker – 82 years old (1944) – Novelist, short story writer, and poet

Mia Farrow – 81 years old (1945) – Actress, activist, and model

Carol Wood – 81 years old (1945) – Mathematician and academic

Bob Eastwood – 80 years old (1946) – Golfer

Vince Papale – 80 years old (1946) – Football player and sportscaster

Jim Webb – 80 years old (1946) – Captain and politician, 18th United States Secretary of the Navy

Judith Light – 77 years old (1949) – Actress

Richard F. Colburn – 76 years old (1950) – Sergeant and politician

David Pomeranz – 75 years old (1951) – Singer, musician, and composer

Danny White – 74 years old (1952) – Football player and sportscaster

Gabriel Rotello – 73 years old (1953) – Journalist and author, founded OutWeek

Jo Duffy – 72 years old (1954) – Author

Chris Gardner – 72 years old (1954) – Businessman and philanthropist

Jerry Beck – 71 years old (1955) – Historian and author

Phil Ford – 70 years old (1956) – Basketball player and coach

Mookie Wilson – 70 years old (1956) – Baseball player and coach

Terry McAuliffe – 69 years old (1957) – Businessman and politician, 72nd Governor of Virginia

Chris Nilan – 68 years old (1958) – Ice hockey player, coach, and radio host

David Simon – 66 years old (1960) – Journalist, author, screenwriter, and television producer

Peggy Whitson – 66 years old (1960) – Biochemist and astronaut

John Kruk – 65 years old (1961) – Baseball player and sportscaster

Brian Greene – 63 years old (1963) – Physicist

Travis Tritt – 63 years old (1963) – Singer-songwriter, guitarist, and actor

Debrah Miceli – 62 years old (1964) – Italian-American wrestler and manager

Julie Warner – 61 years old (1965) – Actress

Venus Lacy – 59 years old (1967) – Basketball player

Todd Pratt – 59 years old (1967) – Baseball player and coach

Derek Strong – 58 years old (1968) – Basketball player and race car driver

Jimmy Smith – 57 years old (1969) – Football player

Sharon Case – 55 years old (1971) – Actress and model

Matt Gogel – 55 years old (1971) – Golfer

Jason Winston George – 54 years old (1972) – Actor and model

Colin Egglesfield – 53 years old (1973) – Actor

Brad Maynard – 52 years old (1974) – Football player

Amber Valletta – 52 years old (1974) – Model

John Wallace – 52 years old (1974) – Basketball player and coach

Vladimir Guerrero – 51 years old (1975) – Dominican-American baseball player

Charlie Day – 50 years old (1976) – Actor, producer, and screenwriter

Margarita Levieva – 46 years old (1980) – Russian-American actress

Manu Raju – 46 years old (1980) – Journalist

John Walker Lindh – 45 years old (1981) – Taliban member

Jameer Nelson – 44 years old (1982) – Basketball player

Maurice Ager – 42 years old (1984) – Basketball player, singer, and producer

David Gallagher – 41 years old (1985) – Actor

Michael B. Jordan – 39 years old (1987) – Actor

Camille Winbush – 36 years old (1990) – Actress

Logan Ryan – 35 years old (1991) – Football player

K. J. McDaniels – 33 years old (1993) – Basketball player

Jimmy Bennett – 30 years old (1996) – Actor

Kelli Berglund – 30 years old (1996) – Actress

Jaire Alexander – 29 years old (1997) – Football player

Saquon Barkley – 29 years old (1997) – Football player

Isabella Gomez – 28 years old (1998) – Colombian-American actress

Jalen Green – 24 years old (2002) – Basketball player

Cooper DeJean – 23 years old (2003) – Football player

Ryan Williams – 19 years old (2007) – Football player

TODAY IS:

National Develop Alternative Vices Day: National Develop Alternative Vices Day is an invitation to trade the habits that wear people down for ones that build them up. It takes a refreshingly realistic view of human nature: most people do not quit a vice by sheer willpower alone. They quit by replacing it with something else...
National Pizza Day: Imagine sinking your teeth into a hot, crispy, cheesy slice of heaven. Each bite is a flavor explosion, transporting you to pizza paradise.
National Football Hangover Day: The party was legendary, the game was epic, but the hangover's no joke. Rally with comfort food, hydrate, and make the memories last!
Chocolate Day: Rich, velvety sweetness, cocoa's delectable cousin tempts with its luscious allure — a universal favorite that transcends borders and brings joy.
National Cut the Cord Day: National Cut the Cord Day is a lively celebration of a very modern kind of freedom: the freedom to watch what people want, when they want, without a cable box glowing in the corner like an expensive night-light. It encourages viewers to move away from traditional cable or satellite TV...
Oatmeal Monday: Oatmeal Monday is a quirky tradition with practical roots in Scottish university life. Long before dining halls, meal plans, and late-night delivery, students were expected to fend for themselves, and that meant hauling in the basics: food for the belly and fuel for the fire. Oats, ground into oatmeal, were...
National Poop Day: Did you in a million years ever imagine a day dedicated to, well, poop? Welcome to National Poop Day, where we celebrate our digestive triumphs with humor and a touch of science. It’s a day to laugh about the things we usually flush away and to learn why our bodies...
National Toothache Day: That uncomfortable feeling when a certain spot in your mouth just won't let you be. But relief's just a dentist's visit away.
National Clean Out Your Computer Day: Give your computer a breath of fresh air - it's like opening a window in a stuffy room, helping it run smoother.
Frevo Day: Frevo Day honors Frevo's vibrant spirit, a lively dance and music style that fills the streets with energy. The day is all about celebrating the colorful culture of Pernambuco, where Frevo was born. This unique dance form, with its quick footwork and twirling umbrellas, brings joy to everyone involved. It's...
National Read In The Bathtub Day: Relax and rejuvenate while enjoying your favorite book in a soothing bath. It's a great way to unwind and escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
National Bagel and Lox Day: National Bagel and Lox Day celebrates a classic dish that has become a favorite in many households. The star of the day is the delicious combination of a chewy bagel topped with creamy layers of cream cheese and silky slices of cured salmon. The pairing blends savory and tangy flavors with...
Rosa Parks Day: Rosa Parks Day is when Americans pause to remember the life and legacy of Rosa Parks. The day reflects on Rosa Parks’ selfless work during America’s civil rights movement. Rosa Parks was known for her short stature and strong will - may she ever be remembered for her efforts. How to...
International Epilepsy Day: International Epilepsy Day is a global event that brings people together to raise awareness about epilepsy. This neurological condition affects millions worldwide, yet many still misunderstand it. The day encourages open conversations, helping to dispel myths and reduce stigma. By sharing stories and experiences, individuals with epilepsy and their supporters...
National Cardiac Rehabilitation Week: Helping hearts heal and getting lives back on track, it's a journey of recovery, strength, and renewed vitality.
International Week of Black Women in the Arts: The International Week of Black Women in the Arts celebrates Black female artists from various fields, including music, dance, literature, and visual arts. This celebration serves as a powerful reminder that diversity and inclusion enrich the arts, fostering a more vibrant and dynamic creative world! How to Celebrate International Week of...
National Hero Week: National Hero Week is a time to celebrate the heroes in our lives, both real and fictional. This week acknowledges the bravery and dedication of individuals who inspire us with their extraordinary actions. Whether it’s a comic book superhero or a real-life figure, these heroes embody the values we admire...
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...
Have a Heart for Chained Dogs Week: Have a Heart for Chained Dogs Week is a special time dedicated to raising awareness about the plight of dogs that spend their lives chained or tethered outdoors. This week serves to inform people about the cruelty and dangers these dogs face daily. By bringing attention to their suffering, the...
Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week: Raising awareness about a condition that affects many lives, reminding us of the strength within every heartbeat.
National Marriage Week: National Marriage Week is a lively celebration that highlights the significance of marriage and its impact on society. This event brings together various groups, including churches, community organizations, and individuals, to appreciate the importance of marriage. This event aims to strengthen marital relationships by encouraging couples to focus on their...
Chastity Week: Chastity Week is an important event that focuses on promoting sexual purity and self-control. It aims to encourage individuals, especially young people, to value abstinence and maintain moral integrity. This week serves as a reminder that respecting one's body and waiting for the right moment, typically marriage, is a significant...
Love a Mensch Week: Love a Mensch Week is a special time to recognize and appreciate individuals who embody the best qualities of human nature. The term "mensch" comes from Yiddish and refers to a person of integrity, kindness, and honor. The word has roots in the German word "Menschlichkeit," which emerged during the...
Pickle Time Week: Pickle Time Week is an exciting event dedicated to celebrating all things pickled. This week-long celebration highlights the beloved pickle and encourages people to indulge in their favorite pickled treats. Whether it's dill, sweet, or spicy, pickles are a delightful addition to many dishes, adding a burst of flavor. The...
National Salute to Veteran Patients: The National Salute to Veteran Patients is an important event honoring those who served our country. It's a lively and heartwarming week dedicated to recognizing and appreciating veteran patients in VA medical centers across the nation. From handing out Valentine’s cards to hosting meals and musical performances, the week is...
International Flirting Week: When words fail, a playful smile and an enticing wink might be just the ticket. Take a chance and let the flirtatious side of you shine!
Homes for Birds Week: Homes for Birds Week is a lively celebration dedicated to our feathered friends. This week reminds us of the joy and beauty birds bring to our lives. It's a time when people come together to create safe spaces for birds to nest and thrive. Whether you're an avid bird watcher...
Heart Failure Awareness Week: Heart Failure Awareness Week is a vibrant event dedicated to increasing knowledge about heart failure, a major health concern worldwide. This special week aims to highlight the importance of recognizing heart failure symptoms early and ensuring timely diagnosis and treatment. It's a time for healthcare providers, patients, and communities to...
Love Data Week: Love Data Week is an annual event celebrated by data enthusiasts, researchers, and organizations around the globe. This lively event highlights the importance of data in our daily lives and its role in advancing knowledge. Activities during the week focus on engaging people with data through workshops, webinars, and community...
Freelance Writers Appreciation Week: With nimble fingers and creative minds these wordsmiths create content that speak to the hearts of readers everywhere.
National Kraut and Frankfurter Week: If you're looking for a meal that's both hearty and full of personality, look no further than the dynamic duo of sauerkraut and frankfurters!
National Secondhand Wardrobe Week: From retro jackets to one-of-a-kind boots, buying second-hand clothes is a fun and sustainable way to upgrade your wardrobe.
Great American Pizza Bake: If you're looking for a slice of heaven, you can't go wrong with this cheesy, saucy masterpiece. The ultimate comfort food - pizza!
Children of Alcoholics Awareness Week: Growing up with a parent who struggles with alcoholism can be a difficult and traumatic experience for children, who may need support.
National Jell-O Week: This wiggly, jiggly treat has been a dessert staple for generations. Whether it's in a mold or in a cup, Jell-O is always a crowd-pleaser.
Royal Hobart Regatta: The Royal Hobart Regatta is a vibrant celebration that brings life to the waters of the River Derwent. It spans three days and is filled with exciting activities and showcases. Boats race across the water, and spectators cheer from the banks. The atmosphere is electric, with events ranging from sailing...