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National days, ongoing national weeks and months, and global observances for August 9, 2026. Plus historical events and birthdays.
These observances run for a full week; this calendar day falls inside the week.
These observances last the full month; this date is part of that month-long celebration.
Showing the first 12 on this date; there are more month-long observances. See the full months list for August.
International and other global observances on this date (may include days, weeks, or months).
Events that occurred on August 9 throughout history
The First Anglo-Powhatan War begins in colonial Virginia. English settlers at Jamestown and the Algonquian-speaking Powhatan Confederacy had a conflict from disputes over food, trade, and land control.
Napoleon annexes Westphalia (present-day Germany) as part of the First French Empire. He gave the land to his youngest brother, Jérôme Bonaparte.
The Creek Indian Nation signed the Treaty of Fort Jackson. The treaty gave 22 million acres of land to the U.S. The land loss opened a massive wave of white settlers migrating to Alabama, known as "Alabama Fever".
The Webster–Ashburton Treaty is signed, establishing the United States–Canada border east of the Rocky Mountains, through the Great Lakes up to the Lake of the Woods.
Philosopher Henry David Thoreau publishes his memoir Walden. The book details his two years, two months, and two days of simple living in a small cabin near Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts.
Otis Tufts patents the first passenger elevator. His invention featured benches with automatic doors powered by a steam engine.
Thomas Edison receives a patent for a two-way telegraph. The invention allowed messages to be sent simultaneously in opposite directions on a single wire.
Edward VII and Alexandra of Denmark are crowned King and Queen of the UK, marking the beginning of the Edwardian period.
The first Boy Scout encampment concludes at Brownsea Island in southern England. The camp ran for 10 days and brought together 20 boys to test outdoor training ideas. The gathering launched the global Scouting movement.
Alva J. Fisher receives a patent for an electric washing machine. Naming his washing machine "Thor", Fisher used a small motor to turn the metal drum back and forth to prevent the clothes from bunching up.
Betty Boop makes her debut in the cartoon Dizzy Dishes, first appearing as a French poodle cabaret singer. She turned into a "human" in January 1932 in the cartoon Any Rags.
Jesse Owens wins his fourth Olympic gold medal in the 4×100-meter relay.
The U.S. Forest Service and the Wartime Advertising Council release posters featuring Smokey Bear for the first time.
Richard Nixon becomes the first President of the U.S. to resign from office. His resignation was the result of his involvement of the Watergate scandal.
Shannon Eastin becomes the first woman to officiate an NFL game. She has spent 16 combined seasons officiating for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, high school games, and for the Arizona Cardinals Red and White game.
People born on August 9
The first dentist to use ether as a surgical anesthetic.
The first African-American woman to become President of a four-year college (Bennett College in Greensboro, North Carolina).
Pop and R&B singer who was nicknamed "the Voice." She was one of the best-selling music artists of all time, selling more than 220 million records globally.
Co-founded Redken hair care products company.
Fashion designer who created Men and Women's ready-to-wear.
American astronomer and geologist who chose the site of the first crewed lunar landing on the moon. She was also the first female astrogeologist, which is a scientist who studies the geology of solid celestial bodies like planets, moons, asteroids, and comets.
Humanitarian and wife of Alexander Hamilton.
American boxer and trainer who worked with Joe Frazier, Ken Norton, Larry Holmes, and Trevor Berbick during his career.
