June 9

Scott Winters June 9, 2025 3 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:

1790 – John Barry copyrighted “Philadelphia Spelling Book.” It was the first American book to be copyrighted.

1845 – St. Vincent’s, the first hospital in Michigan, opened in Detroit. It was housed in a log building by the Sister’s of Charity. It was later renamed St. Mary’s Hospital.

1881 – The State of Michigan turned over ownership of the Soo Locks and canal to the United States Government and made passage free to all vessels. Since the locks opened in 1855 until 1877, the state had collected a four cents toll (later reduced to 3 cents), except from United States government ships.

1931 – Robert H. Goddard patented a rocket-fueled aircraft design.

1934 – Donald Duck made his debut in the Silly Symphonies cartoon “The Wise Little Hen”.

1943 – The withholding tax on payrolls was authorized by Congress.

1959 – The first ballistic missile carrying submarine, the USS George Washington, was launched.

1965 – Michel Jazy ran the mile in 3 minutes, 53.6 seconds. He broke the record set by Peter Snell in 1964.

1973 – Race horse “Secretariat” captured the Triple Crown.

1980 – Comedian Richard Pryor was severely burned by an explosion while freebasing cocaine at his California home. He was hospitalized more than two months.

1984 – In Las Vegas, NV, Larry Holmes beat Ken Norton to retain the heavyweight boxing championship.

1985 – Thomas Sutherland, an American educator, was kidnapped in Lebanon. He was not released until November 1991.

1986 – The Rogers Commission released a report on the Challenger disaster. The report explained that the spacecraft blew up as a result of a failure in a solid rocket booster joint.

1993 – The U.S. Postal Service debuted its Legends of American Music, Rock and Roll-Rhythm and Blues stamp collection. The set featured Bill Haley, Buddy Holly, Clyde McPhatter, Otis Redding, Ritchie Valens, Dinah Washington, and Elvis Presley.

1994 – Lisa “Left-Eye” Lopes (TLC) set fire to her boyfriend’s house. Her boyfriend was Andre Rison of the Atlanta Falcons.

2000 – Canada and the United States signed a border security agreement. The agreement called for the establishment of a border-enforcement team.

2000 – The U.S. House of Representatives voted to repeal gift and estate taxes. The bill called for the taxes to be phased out over 10 years.

2001 – Patrick Roy (Colorado Avalanche) became the first National Hockey League player to win three Conn Smythe Trophies. The award is given to the playoff’s Most Valuable Player.

2003 – Hillary Rodham Clinton’s memoir, “Living History”, was published to mixed reviews and record sales.

2006 – The Disney/Pixar animated movie “Cars”, featuring the character Lightning McQueen, opened in theaters

2011 – The world’s first artificial organ transplant was performed. It was an artificial windpipe coated with stem cells.

2022 – Two people had to be rescued after falling into a tank of chocolate at the M&M Mars factory in Pennsylvania.

BIRTHDAYS:

Marvin Kalb – 95 years old (1930) – Journalist

Dick Vitale – 86 years old (1939) – Sportscaster

Patricia Cornwell – 69 years old (1956) – Mystery author

Michael J. Fox – 64 years old (1961) – Actor (TV’s “Family Ties”, “Spin City”, “Boston Legal”, “The Michael J. Fox Show, movies “Back to the Future”, “Teen Wolf”, “The Secret of My Success”, “Bright Lights Big City”, “The American President”)

Aaron Sorkin – 64 years old (1961) – Writer, producer (TV’s “The West Wing”)

Johnny Depp – 62 years old (1963) – Actor (TV’s “21 Jump Street”, movies “A Nightmare on Elm Street:, “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl”, “Finding Neverland”, “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”, “Alice in Wonderland”, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”, “Donnie Brasco”, “Ed Wood”, “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape”, “Edward Scissorhands”)

Gloria Reuben – 61 years old (1964) – Singer, actress (TV’s “ER”)

Dean Dinning – 58 years old (1967) – Bassist (Toad the Wet Sprocket)

Natalie Portman – 44 years old (1981) – Actress (“Star Wars” movie series, “Leon: The Professional”, “Black Swan”, “Closer”, “Jackie”, “Thor”, “The Dark World”, “The Other Boleyn Girl”, “V for Vendetta”, “Garden State”, “Beautiful Girls”)

TODAY IS:

National Meal Prep Day: Every year on this day, people across the United States mark National Meal Prep Day. This day highlights the many benefits of planning and preparing meals in advance. It's a fantastic way to manage a busy schedule and ensure that healthy, homemade meals are ready when you need them most! How...
National Donald Duck Day: Embrace your own angry inner waterfowl on Donald Duck Day by getting into character, or firing up some of the classic Disney films and programs he stars in.
National Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Day: Strawberry rhubarb pie, oh my! Sweet strawberries and tangy rhubarb in a buttery crust. It's the perfect dessert to make you feel like you're in Grandma's kitchen.
International Dark ‘n Stormy® Day: International Dark ’n Stormy® Day kicks off with a nod to that bold cocktail—dark rum layered over fizzy ginger beer. This drink blends strong flavors in a tall glass that demands your attention. You’ll sense its deep color and fizzy sparkle before you even take a sip. It feels like...
National No Apologies Period Day: National No Apologies Period Day is about letting go of the shame many of us were taught to carry. For years, we’ve stuffed pads up our sleeves, stayed quiet through cramps, and apologized for something that shouldn’t need explaining. This day reminds us that bleeding doesn’t make us weak or dirty—it...
World Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome Day: Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system mistakenly attacks normal proteins in the blood. This leads to an increased risk of blood clots in veins and arteries, potentially causing serious health issues like deep vein thrombosis, strokes, or pregnancy complications such as recurrent miscarriages. World Antiphospholipid...
Coral Triangle Day: Protecting vibrant marine ecosystems ensures the survival of countless species and preserves the beauty of our oceans.
Whit Monday: Celebrated on the day after Pentecost, Whit Monday is a time to remember the Holy Spirit's descent and marks the end of the Easter season.
Meet A Mate Week: Attend any number of fun events and meetups for singles during Meet a Mate week, and take the chance on finally finding your true love, no app required.
Loneliness Awareness Week: Exploring the impact of social isolation reveals profound insights into mental health, well-being, and community connections.
Team Green Britain Bike Week: Team Green Britain Bike Week is a vibrant event that promotes cycling across the UK. It encourages everyone to get on their bikes, enjoy the outdoors, and embrace a healthier lifestyle. The week is filled with various activities and events that cater to all age groups and skill levels, making...
Diabetes Week: Did you know that the number of people with diabetes keeps growing each year? Diabetes Week aims to highlight this and raise awareness about living with this condition. This event brings attention to the struggles and achievements of those affected by diabetes. It encourages everyone to engage in conversations about...
Scleroderma Awareness Week: Scleroderma Awareness Week is a special time dedicated to shedding light on a little-known but impactful disease. This week aims to bring attention to scleroderma, a chronic autoimmune disorder that causes hardening and tightening of the skin and other connective tissues. The week encourages conversations about the challenges faced by...
National Pet Wedding Week: Did you know that there's a special week just for pet lovers to celebrate their furry friends uniquely? National Pet Wedding Week, observed annually during the second week of June, is a time when pets get to experience the joys of a wedding ceremony! How to Celebrate National Pet Wedding...
International Clothesline Week: International Clothesline Week, celebrated annually, spotlights the old yet highly beneficial practice of drying clothes. It's a week dedicated to embracing the simple joy and advantages of hanging laundry outdoors. The fresh air and sunshine make clothes smell great and bring a bit of exercise and relaxation into our daily routines. How...
British Heart Week: British Heart Week is a vital event dedicated to raising awareness about heart health and the importance of heart care. Organized by the British Heart Foundation, this week-long observance emphasizes the significance of cardiovascular well-being. How to Celebrate British Heart Week Get Moving Why not kick off British Heart Week with a...
National Little League Baseball Week: Batter up! Kids swinging for the fences, cheers from the crowd, and an abundance of team spirit. It's baseball fun for everyone!