August 9

Scott Winters August 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:

1173 – Construction of the campanile of the Cathedral of Pisa (now known as the Leaning Tower of Pisa) began. It would take two centuries to complete.

1790 – The first ship to carry the American Flag around the world, The Columbia, returned to Boston Harbor after a three-year voyage.

1831 – The first steam locomotive began its first trip between Schenectady and Albany, NY.

1859 – The escalator was patented by Nathan Ames.

1892 – Thomas Edison received a patent for a two-way telegraph.

1910 – A.J. Fisher received a patent for the electric washing machine.

1930 – Betty Boop made her cartoon debut in “Dizzy Dishes”, created by Max Fleischer.

1936 – At the Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany, Jesse Owens won his fourth gold medal, becoming the first American to win four medals in one Olympic Games.

1944 – The United States Forest Service and the Wartime Advertising Council released posters featuring “Smokey the Bear” for the first time.

1945 – The U.S. dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki. The bombing came three days after the bombing of Hiroshima. About 74,000 people were killed. Japan surrendered August 14.

1945 – The first network television broadcast occurred in Washington, DC. The program announced the bombing of Nagasaki, Japan.

1947 – An earthquake damaged chimneys and cracked plaster in Michigan. Damage reached as far north as Muskegon and Saginaw.

1969 – In the early morning hours of August 9th, pregnant actress Sharon Tate was stabbed to death and four others were killed (knives and gunshots) in a home in the Hollywood Hills, CA. Charles Manson and his cult are later convicted of the crime.

1974 – President Richard M. Nixon formally resigned. His Vice President, Gerald R. Ford, took his place, and became the 38th President of the United States.

1975 – The New Orleans Superdome was officially opened when the Saints played the Houston Oilers in exhibition football. The new Superdome cost $163 million to build.

1981 – Major league baseball teams resumed play at the conclusion of the first mid-season players’ strike.

1985 – The movie “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure” debuted in theaters.

1989 – Director James Cameron’s undersea movie, “The Abyss”, premiered in theaters.

2000 – Bridgestone/Firestone announced the recall of 6.5 million tires implicated in hundreds of accidents and at least 46 deaths.

2001 – President George W. Bush announced he would support federal funding for limited medical research on embryonic stem cells.

2004 – Donald Duck received the 2,257th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

2004 – Trump Hotel and Casion Resorts announced plans to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

2009 – The TV show “Shark Tank” premiered on ABC.

2012 – Usain Bolt became the first person to win the 100 meter and 200 meter sprint in back to back Olympics.

2014 – Michael Brown, an unarmed 18 year old African American male in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson, MO, was shot and killed by a Ferguson police officer. It sparked protests and unrest in the city.

BIRTHDAYS:

David Steinberg – 83 a old (1942) – Canadian comedian (Appeared on TV’s “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” more than 130 times)

Sam Elliott – 81 a old (1944) – Actor (“Up in the Air”, “The Lifeguard”, “The Contender”, TV’s “Buffalo Girls”)

Rinus Gerritsen – 79 a old (1946) – Bassist (Golden Earring)

Melanie Griffith – 68 a old (1957) – Actress (“Working Girl”, “Body Double”, “Something Wild”, “Born Yesterday”, “Lolita”)

Amanda Bearse – 67 a old (1958) – Actress (Played Marcy on TV’s “Married With Children”)

Hoda Kotb – 61 a old (1964) – TV Personality (TV’s “Today” co-host)

Deion Sanders – 58 a old (1967) – Football/Baseball Player

Gillian Anderson – 57 a old (1968) – Actress (TV’s “X-Files”)

Eric Bana – 57 a old (1968) – Actor (“The Time Traveler’s Wife”, “Funny People”, “Star Trek”, “Troy”, “Hulk”, “Black Hawk Down”)

Kevin McKidd – 52 a old (1973) – Actor (TV’s “Grey’s Anatomy”, “Rome”, movie “Trainspotting”)

Anna Kendrick – 40 a old (1985) – Actress (“Up in the Air”, “Twilight”, “Pitch Perfect”, “Into the Woods”)

TODAY IS:

National Book Lovers Day: Crack open your favorite book, visit a bookshop or library to find your next great read, and enjoy the relaxation and joy of being a reader and book lover.
Melon Day: Savoring the juicy sweetness of summer's bounty, biting into the refreshing fruit that brings a burst of refreshment on a warm day.
National Rice Pudding Day: Try your hand at making your own rice pudding, a sweet, subtly-flavored dessert that is easy to make with just rice, milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla, raisins, and cinnamon.
Betty Boop Day: Discover the charm and legacy of an iconic animated character who captivated audiences with her unique style.
National Passion Fruit Day: Exotic, vibrant, and bursting with flavor, this tropical fruit captivates palates with its tangy sweetness and aromatic allure.
International Coworking Day: Working with others can improve productivity and offer social outlets at work. Attend a seminar, or talk to your boss about coworking opportunities where you work.
Hold Hands Day: Interlocking fingers, hearts connect in a sweet, non-verbal language that's like a warm hug for the soul. Simply heartwarming!
National Billiards & Pool Day: A classic pastime, this intricate and noble game of cues and precision invites devotees to gather in timeless camaraderie.
Gay Uncles Day:
National Spirit of ’45 Day:
International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples:
National Women’s Day: From politics to sports, women have shattered the glass ceiling in many fields, and continue to pave the way for equality and representation.
National Veep Day: Overlooked yet influential, vice presidents shape policy, represent leadership, and balance executive duties effectively within government.
Cantabria Day:
Crayfish Party:
National Fishing Month: Relaxing, meditative, and practical, fishing is an ideal hobby for many. Get out on the water with some bait and a fishing line, and catch yourself dinner.
National Twins Day:
Bristol Balloon Fiesta:
Simplify Your Life Week: Embracing minimalism, decluttering spaces, and focusing on what truly matters, finding peace in simplicity and mindful living.
Big Butterfly Count: Monitoring environmental vitality by tallying butterflies, a simple yet profound method revealing the delicate balance within ecosystems.