Ken P's Today in History
December 9

Copyright © 2006-2024 Ken Polsson
internet e-mail: ken@kpolsson.com
URL: http://kpolsson.com/today/
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What happened in history on this day: December 9?

Since 1995, I have been collecting information on a variety of topics, creating several timelines of history. Here you will find specific events from those databases for this day, on the topics of personal computers, video games, the Walt Disney Company, Chevrolet Corvettes, A&W Root Beer, Sweden, and Canadian coins.

On December 9 in ...

Personal computer history:

  • 1968 - Douglas C. Engelbart, of the Stanford Research Institute, demonstrates his system of keyboard, keypad, mouse, and windows at the Fall Joint Computer Conference in San Francisco's Civic Center. He demonstrates use of a word processor, a hypertext system, dynamic file linking, and remote collaborative work with colleagues on a shared screen.
  • 1987 - Microsoft ships Microsoft Windows 2.01. It features overlapping windows, and can use protected mode on the 80286 processor.
  • 1996 - Microsoft releases the final version of Internet Explorer 3.0 web browser for Windows 3.1.
  • 1996 - The Public Broadcasting System airs the Arthur TV show in the USA. A child plays an underwater shooting game on a personal computer, using the keyboard and mouse.
  • 2009 - Kenya issues a postage stamp depicting a personal computer.

Walt Disney Company history:

  • 1931 - The Mickey Mouse film Mickey's Orphans is released to theaters.
  • 1933 - The Silly Symphony film The Night Before Christmas is released to theaters. The film is a sequel to the film Santa's Workshop.
  • 1938 - The Silly Symphony film Merbabies is released to theaters. The film was produced for Disney by Harman-Ising Studios, lead by former employees Hugh Harman and Rudolf Ising.
  • 1962 - The NBC TV network airs the Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color show, entitled The Mooncussers: Wake of Disaster, part two.
  • 1987 - The Gambia issues ten postage stamps marking the 60th anniversary of Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, depicting Disney characters and historic locomotives.
  • 1987 - Sierra Leone issues ten postage stamps marking the 5th anniversary of Tokyo Disneyland.
  • 1993 - The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A reference is made to Disney's film Lady and the Tramp. Two characters share a chili dog, ending with lips touching, just like Lady and Tramp sharing a strand of spaghetti.
  • 1994 - The Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe opens in Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World. The location was formerly the Tomorrowland Terrace restaurant.
  • 1996 - Disney launches the family.com Internet Web site.
  • 1997 - Buena Vista Home Entertainment releases the film Con Air on videocassette.
  • 1999 - The Go.com company, a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Company, reports a loss of US$1.06 billion for fiscal 1999, on revenues of US$200 million.
  • 2002 - The Disney's Aladdin - Live on Stage show opens at the Hyperion Theater in Disney's California Adventure.
  • 2005 - Disney releases the live-action feature film The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe to theaters in the US.
  • 2011 - At the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany, several water valves are left open on the Disney Fantasy cruise ship, under construction. Damage totalling about 1 million euros is caused to about 40 cabins.

Chevrolet Corvette history:

  • 1954 - Zora Arkus-Duntov writes "Preliminary Report on Corvette 3-Speed and Overdrive. Comparison of 4.11 and 3.7 Ratios". His report concludes overdrive is not worth it, and 4.11 ratio too high.
  • 1956 - The Nassau Trophy race is held in the Bahamas.
    • Finishing 1st in S8.0 class is the Corvette driven by Ray Crawford.
    • Finishing 1st in class is the #15 1957 Corvette driven by Richard Thompson.
    • Jim Jeffords races the #36 Corvette, but does not finish.
    • Dick Thompson and Fred Windridge race two other Corvettes.

World War II history:

  • 1939 - Death of Thomas Priday on patrol near Maginot Line, France; Corporal in First Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry; believed to be first British soldier killed in action in World War II.
  • 1940 - (early) In Egypt, British forces launch Operation Compass, attacking Italians at the Nibeiwa camp, quickly overtaking the position.
  • 1940 - (afternoon) In Egypt, British forces attack Italians at the Tummar East and Tummar West camps.
  • 1941 - (1145 hours) Japanese bombers make a second raid over Wake Island. They kill 4 Marines and 55 civilians, but 5 planes are shot down and 11 damaged.
  • 1941 - Japanese planes attack Nichols Field, Philippines.
  • 1941 - At a meeting of the Canadian Cabinet, Prime Minister William King worries that a Japanese assault on the west coast "seemed wholly probable".
  • 1941 - The Japanese Imperial Fourth Fleet (one cruiser, two light cruisers, six destroyers, two transports) heads north to take Wake Island.
  • 1941 - Adolf Hitler decides to declare war on the United States.
  • 1941 - (night, Hong Kong) Japanese capture the Shing Mun Redoubt in the Hong Kong New Territories.
  • 1943 - (0430 hours) In Italy, the Canadian 1st Division infantry launches an attack on the Moro Valley, to clear out German forces while engineers build a bridge across the Moro River at San Leonardo.
  • 1943 - (0600 hours) In Italy, Canadian engineers complete a bridge across the Moro River at San Leonardo.
  • 1943 - (evening) The Canadian 1st Division completes crossing the Moro River in Italy.
  • 1991 - Antigua & Barbuda issues ten postage stamps marking the 50th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

Video game history:

  • 1982 - Mattel announces it expects a fourth-quarter loss due to increased competition in video games, and a general slump in the retail industry.
  • 1982 - Warner Communications loses one-third of its market value in stock trading.
  • 1993 - Several large video game manufacturers announce the inductry has decided to endorse a rating system.
  • 1993 - A US Senate subcommittee begins hearings to look into the mounting level of violence in video games. Senators Joseph Lieberman and Herb Kohl announce support for a bill requiring companies to rate games. The California attorney general sends an open letter to video game companies urging them to withdraw games that teach children to "demean and destroy".
  • 1995 - Miramax Films releases the film Four Rooms to theaters in Japan. The game Rambo 3 is played on a Sega Genesis.
  • 1995 - Enix releases the Dragon Quest VI video game for the Super Famicom in Japan.
  • 1998 - LucasArts releases the Star Wars: Rogue Squadron video game for the Nintendo 64 in the US. Price is US$49.99.
  • 2000 - In Japan, Bandai releases the WonderSwan Color video game system. Price is 6800 yen.
  • 2003 - Infogrames releases the Mission: Impossible - Operation Surma video game for the Xbox and PlayStation 2 in the US.
  • 2003 - Namco releases the R: Racing Evolution video game for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube in the US. Included with the GameCube version is Pac-Man Vs., which uses a link cable for players to play part of the game on the Game Boy Advance.
  • 2006 - The Spike TV network airs Spike TV's Video Game Awards 2006 show.
    • Best Performance by a Human Female: Vida Guerra in Scarface: The World is Yours.
    • Best Game Based on a Movie or TV Show: LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy.
    • Best Supporting Male Performance: James Gandolfini in The Sopranos: Road to Respect.
    • Studio of the Year: Epic Games for Gears of War.
    • Favorite Classic Game: Pac Man.
    • Critics Choice: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.
    • Best Fighting Game: Mortal Kombat Armageddon.
    • Best Shooter Game: Gears of War.
    • Best Graphics: Gears of War.
    • Best Handheld Game: New Super Mario Bros..
    • Best Role Playing Game: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.
    • Best Multi-Player Game: Gears of War.
    • Best Cast: Family Guy.
    • Best Individual Sports Game: Tony Hawk's Project 8.
    • Best Original Score: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.
    • Best Driving Game: Burnout Revenge for the Xbox 360.
    • Best Performance by a Human Male: Patrick Stewart in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.
    • Best Supporting Female Performance: Rachael Leigh Cook in Kingdom Hearts II.
    • Best Soundtrack: Guitar Hero II.
    • Breakthrough Technology: Wii.
    • Best Action Game: Dead Rising.
    • Best Song: "Lights and Sounds" by Yellowcard in Burnout Revenge for the Xbox 360.
    • Most Addictive Game: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.
    • Best Team Sports Game: NBA 2K7.
    • Game of the Year: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.

Swedish history:

  • 1594 - Gustav Adolf is born to Duke Karl, in Stockholm castle.
  • 1901 - The first Nobel Prize is awarded, worth 151,00 kronor.
  • 1994 - Estonia issues a 2.50 kroon postage stamp depicting Swedish King Gustavus II Adolphus.

A&W Root Beer history:

  • 1977 - A agreement is signed between A & W International and the National A & W Franchisee Association, saying that United Brands can sell A & W Root Beer in cans and bottles to supermarkets, but not to other restaurants.

Canadian coin history:

  • 1862 - Canada's first coin club is formed, the Numismatic Society of Montreal, in Montreal, Quebec. Adelard Boucher is named first president.
  • 1876 - An Order in Council sets the 1c piece legal tender to the amount of 25 cents in any one payment.

USA coin history:

  • 1863 - Treasury Secretary Salmon Chase approves Mint Director James Pollock's proposal for implementing motto recognizing God on US coins.
  • 2009 - The US Mint launches the 2009 Northern Mariana Islands quarter dollar in Saipan.

Sports history:

  • 1902 - American League announces purchase of grounds for a baseball stadium in New York.
  • 1913 - Heavyweight Jack Johnson-Jim Johnson fight to no decision in Paris.
  • 1913 - John K Tener becomes president of baseball's National League.
  • 1925 - American League extends Ban Johnson's baseball contract to 1935 and raise to $40,000.
  • 1926 - USGA legalizes steel shaft golf clubs.
  • 1931 - Major League Baseball cuts squad from 25 to 23 players and National League continues to prohibit numbers on uniforms.
  • 1933 - 21st Canadian Football League Grey Cup: Toronto Argonauts defeats Sarnia Imperials, 4-3.
  • 1934 - New York Giants defeat Chicago Bears 30-13 for NFL championship.
  • 1936 - American League authorizes night baseball for Saint Louis.
  • 1936 - Australia all out 58 versus England Donald Bradman out for a duck.
  • 1940 - South Australia all out for 47 versus New South Wales, O'Reilly 5-11.
  • 1941 - 7th Heisman Trophy Award: Bruce Smith, Minnesota (Half Back).
  • 1949 - NFL merges Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Colts from AAFC.
  • 1953 - Montreal Canadiens (106) and Toronto Maple Leafs (98) get 204 penalty minutes.
  • 1961 - Wilt Chamberlain of NBA Philadelphia Warriors scores 67 points vs New York Knicks.
  • 1965 - Frank Robinson is traded from Cincinnati Reds to the Baltimore Orioles.
  • 1973 - Saint Louis Cardinals' Jim Bakken kicks six field goals versus Atlanta Falcons.
  • 1975 - (to December 20) In Bangkok, Thailand, the 8th SEAP Games are held.
  • 1978 - First game of the Women's Pro Basketball League (WBL), Chicago Hustle versus Milwaukee Does.
  • 1979 - Murle Breer/Dave Eichelberger win LPGA J C Penney Golf Classic.
  • 1984 - 59th Australian Women's Tennis: Chris Evert beats H Sukova (6-7, 6-1, 6-3).
  • 1984 - Los Angeles Rams' Eric Dickerson rushes 215 yards for season record 2,003 yards.
  • 1984 - Vicki Alvarez/Mike McDonald win LPGA J C Penney Golf Classic.
  • 1985 - 74th Australian Men's Tennis: Stefan Edberg beats Mats Wilander (6-4, 6-3, 6-3).
  • 1987 - Larry Bird ends streak of 59 consecutive free throws.
  • 1988 - New York Yankees sign 12-year television contract with Madison Square Garden for US$500 million.
  • 1990 - Betsy King wins Itoman LPGA World Match Play Golf Championship.
  • 1990 - Gunda Niemann skates ladies world record 3k ladies (4:10.80).
  • 1990 - Houston Oilers (58) scores most points against Cleveland Browns (14).
  • 1990 - NFL New York Giants' Otis Anderson becomes 8th to rush for 10,000th yard.
  • 1992 - Cincinnati Reds' owner Marge Schott apologizes for racist remarks.
  • 1992 - New Jersey Devils organization announces that it will change its colors to black, red, and white for the 1992-93 season.
  • 1992 - Sri Lanka's third-ever Test Cricket victory (versus New Zealand by nine wickets).
  • 1993 - Pitcher Randy Johnson re-signs with the Seattle Mariners for US$20.25 million over three years.
  • 1995 - 61st Heisman Trophy Award: Eddie George, Ohio State (Running Back).
  • 2000 - The Colorado Rockies announce the signing of pitcher Mike Hampton to a eight-year, US$123.8 amillion contract.
  • 2019 - The World Anti-Doping Agency votes unanimously to ban Russia from major international sport events for four years for doping offences, meaning it will be excluded from the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
  • 2021 - At SAP Center in San Jose, California, USA, NHL regular season game: Minnesota Wild beats San Jose Sharks by score 5-2.
  • 2021 - At crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, USA, NHL regular season game: Los Angeles Kings beats Dallas Stars by score 4-0.
  • 2021 - At Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington, USA, NHL regular season game: Winnipeg Jets beats Seattle Kraken by score 3-0.
  • 2021 - At Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, NHL regular season game: Boston Bruins beats Edmonton Oilers by score 3-2.
  • 2021 - At Scotiabank Saddledrome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, NHL regular season game: Carolina Hurricanes beats Calgary Flames by score 2-1.
  • 2021 - At Enterprise Center in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA, NHL regular season game: Saint Louis Blues beats Detroit Red Wings by score 6-2.
  • 2021 - At UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, USA, NHL regular season game: Nashville Predators beats New York Islanders by score 4-3.
  • 2021 - At Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, USA, NHL regular season game: Anaheim Ducks beats Columbus Blue Jackets by score 2-1.
  • 2021 - At Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, NHL regular season game: Chicago Blackhawks beats Montreal Canadiens by score 2-0.
  • 2021 - At Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, NHL regular season game: Tampa Bay Lightning beats Toronto Maple Leafs by score 5-3.

Space exploration history:

  • 1805 - Comet 3D/1805 V1 (Biela) approaches within 0.0366 astronomical units (AUs) of Earth.
  • 1978 - Pioneer Venus 2 drops five probes into atmosphere of Venus.
  • 1994 - 13m diameter asteroid 1994XM1 passes within 100,000km of Earth.

USA history:

  • 1793 - Noah Webster establishes New York's first daily newspaper, American Minerva.
  • 1848 - First gold from California is delivered to the Philadelphia Mint.
  • 1861 - Battle of Bird Creek, Indian Territory (High Shoal, Chusto-Talasah).
  • 1906 - New York American reports Belgian King Leopold II bribed US Senate commission on the Congo.
  • 1909 - First US monoplane flown (Henry W Walden, in Long Island, New York).
  • 1921 - The Philatelic Agency of the US Post Office Department is established in Washington, DC.
  • 1941 - First US World War II bombing mission in the Far East, Luzon, Philippines.
  • 1941 - Adolf Hitler orders US ships torpedoed.
  • 1944 - In Washington DC, 44 governments sign an agreement to create the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration.
  • 1950 - Chicago Tribune newspaper editorial staff write: [The Council on Foreign Relations] "have used the prestige that their wealth, their social position, and their education have given them to lead their country towards bankruptcy and military debacle.".
  • 1953 - General Electric announces all Communist employees will be fired.
  • 1958 - Robert H W Welch Junior and 11 other men meet in Indianapolis, Indiana to form the anti-Communist John Birch Society.
  • 1963 - Frank Sinatra Junior is kidnapped at Harrah's Club at Lake Tahoe, Nevada.
  • 1968 - Doug Engelbart demonstrates first computer mouse at Stanford, California.
  • 1971 - Lewis F Powell Junior appointed to the US Supreme Court.
  • 1975 - US President Gerald Ford signs US$2.3 billion loan-authorization for New York City.
  • 1981 - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania police officer Daniel Faulkner is shot and killed during a routine traffic stop of a vehicle driven by William Cook, Mumia Abu-Jamal's younger brother.
  • 1983 - US Attorney General Edwin Meese says people go to soup kitchens "...because the food is free and that's easier than paying for it".
  • 1983 - US performs nuclear test at Nevada Test Site.
  • 1984 - Great Britain performs nuclear test at Nevada Test Site.
  • 1987 - Microsoft ships Microsoft Windows 2.01. It features overlapping windows, and can use protected mode on the 80286 processor.
  • 1988 - The last Dodge Aries and Plymouth Reliant roll off the assembly line in a Chrysler factory.
  • 1992 - 1800 U.S. Marines storm Mogadishu, Somalia, first units of a multinational force to restore order and provide starvation relief.
  • 2002 - United Airlines, the second largest airline in the world, files under the United States Bankruptcy Code Chapter 11.
  • 2021 - (to December 10) The Summit for Democracy, a virtual summit, is hosted by the United States "to renew democracy at home and confront autocracies abroad".

Other history:

  • 1805 - Comet 3D/1805 V1 (Biela) approaches within 0.0366 astronomical units (AUs) of Earth.
  • 1851 - First Young Men's Christian Association in North America (Montréal, Canada).
  • 1965 - "A Charlie Brown Christmas" premieres on TV in North America.
  • 1992 - British Prime Minister announces the separation of Prince Charles and Princess Diana.
  • 1992 - Operation Restore Hope - US Marines land in Somalia.

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Copyright © 2006-2024 Ken Polsson (email: ken@kpolsson.com).
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