AUGUST 9 | Birthdays and Events
Famous Birthdays
People born on August 9
Elizabeth Hamilton
Died: November 9, 1854
Humanitarian and wife of Alexander Hamilton.
William T. G. Morton
Died: July 15, 1868
The first dentist to use ether as a surgical anesthetic.
Willa Beatrice Player
Died: August 29, 2003
The first African-American woman to become President of a four-year college (Bennett College in Greensboro, North Carolina).
Eddie Futch
Died: October 10, 2001
American boxer and trainer who worked with Joe Frazier, Ken Norton, Larry Holmes, and Trevor Berbick during his career.
Mareta West
Died: November 11, 1998
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.
Paula Kent Meehan
Died: June 23, 2014
Co-founded Redken hair care products company.
Michael Kors
Fashion designer who created Men and Women's ready-to-wear.
Whitney Houston
Died: February 11, 2012
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.
Historical Events on August 9
Events that occurred on August 9 throughout history
The First Anglo-Powhatan War begins in colonial Virginia.
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 as part of the First French Empire.
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 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.
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.
Henry David Thoreau publishes his memoir Walden.
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.
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.
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.
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 in southern England.
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.
The first electric washing machine is patented.
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.
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 at the games.
Jesse Owens wins his fourth Olympic gold medal in the 4×100-meter relay.
Smokey Bear posters are released for the first time.
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.
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.
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.