In History: Feb. 9
These are the notable events of Feb. 9 in world, American, and Kansas history.
On Feb. 9…
1540: First recorded race meet is hosted in England.
1775: British Parliament declares the Colony of Massachusetts is in open rebellion.
1825: After neither candidate gains the majority of Electoral votes, the House of Representatives finally selects John Quincy Adams as president over Andrew Jackson.
1861: Confederate States of America concludes its only presidential election; contested border state Tennessee votes to stay in the Union.
1870: United States establishes the National Weather Service.
1885: First Japanese explorers arrive in Hawaii.
1889: United States Department of Agriculture is established as a cabinet-level agency.
1897: Nigerian Kingdom of Benin, formed in the 11th century, ended after the British Expeditionary force loots and burns Benin City.
1904: Japan attacks Russian ships at Port Arthur, Manchuria in China, starting the Russo-Japanese War.
1909: First U.S. federal legislation prohibiting the possession and use of opium is passed.
1916: Great Britain begins conscription as World War I drags on in France and Germany.
1920: Joint Rules Com bans substance use or alteration to baseballs.
1940: Joe Louis beats Arturo Godoy for the heavyweight boxing title.
1947: Bank robber Willie Sutton escapes from Philadelphia prison. Sutton would be number 11 on the first FBI Most Wanted list.
1950: Senator Joseph McCarthy claims that the State Department is infiltrated by over 200 communist spies, starting the Red Scare and McCarthy Trials.
1961: Beatles have their first gig in Liverpool’s Cavern Club.
1962: Jamaica signs agreement to become an independent nation.
1963: First Boeing 727 test flight.
1969: First Boeing 747 flight.
1971: Apollo 14 returns to Earth; first gay-themed TV episode airs on All in the Family.
1997: The Simpsons airs its 167th episode, making it the longest-running cartoon series, a record it still holds today.
2020: The Parasite becomes the first non-English film to win best picture.
2021: Impeachment trial for former president Donald Trump begins.