Ken P's Today in History
August 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: August 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 August 9 in ...

Personal computer history:

  • 1995 - (2:30 PM New York) Shares of Netscape Communications are first made available to the public on the NASDAQ stock exchange. Before trading, shares are priced at US$28. The stock opens at US$71, reaching a high of US$74.75. The market value of the company becomes US$2.2 billion. This is the best opening day for a stock in Wall Street history for an issue of its size.
  • 1997 - At the end of pre-release beta testing of Ultima Online, Ali Shahrooz as online persona Rainz casts a firefield spell near Richard Garriott's persona Lord British. Garriott, believing his Lord British to be immortal, steps into the fire and dies, as he had failed to switch on his immortality.
  • 1999 - Advanced Micro Devices introduces the Athlon processor, formerly code-named K7. The processor features Enhanced 3DNow! technology. Speeds and prices are 650 MHz (US$849), 600 MHz (US$615), 550 MHz (US$449), 500 MHz (US$249).
  • 2003 - Sony releases the Clie PEG-UX50 handheld computer in Japan.
  • 2004 - Sharp Systems of America introduces the LL-151-3D 15-inch LCD TFT display, using a parallax barrier to provide 3D images without the use of special glasses. Price is US$1499.

Walt Disney Company history:

  • 1930 - Walt Disney copyrights the sound version of the film Plane Crazy.
  • 1930 - Walt Disney copyrights the sound version of the film Gallopin' Gaucho.
  • 1934 - The first outline for the film Snow White is prepared.
  • 1940 - The Donald Duck film Donald's Vacation is released to theaters.
  • 1942 - The animated feature film Bambi world premieres in London, England.
  • 1946 - The Donald Duck film Wet Paint is released.
  • 1955 - The Aunt Jemima's Pancake House restaurant opens in Frontierland at Disneyland.
  • 1969 - The Haunted Mansion attraction opens in New Orleans Square at Disneyland.
  • 1985 - Disney releases the Touchstone Pictures live-action feature film My Science Project to theaters.
  • 2002 - The film Beauty and the Beast is re-released to theaters in Iceland.
  • 2003 - Buena Vista International premieres the Touchstone / Harbour Pictures film Calendar Girls at the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland.
  • 2004 - Donald Duck receives a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame.
  • 2005 - Buena Vista Home Entertainment releases the The Muppet Show Season One DVD in the USA.
  • 2013 - (to August 11) The thirds Disney D23 Expo is held, at the Anaheim Convention Center in California.

Chevrolet Corvette history:

  • 1953 - In Akron, Ohio, The All-American Soap Box Derby is held. Corvette engineer Mauri Rose drives Corvette show car #852 in the pre-race parade.
  • 1959 - In Montgomery, the SCCA holds a National car race.
    • Finishing 1st in B-Production class and 2nd overall is the Corvette driven by Harold Keck.
    • Finishing 3rd overall is the Corvette driven by Ben Moore.
    • Finishing 3rd in B-Production class and 4th overall is the Corvette driven by Jim Jeffords.

  • 1981 - At the Brainerd International Raceway in Brainerd, Minnesota, the CRC Chemicals Trans-Am Championship - Round 5 race is held.
    • Finishing 2nd is the Swiss Chalet Racing #94 Corvette, driven by Eppie Wietzes.
    • Finishing 6th is the Full-Time Racing #99 Corvette, driven by Phil Currin.
    • Finishing 8th is the Cardinal Harry Mann #5 Corvette, driven by Andy Porterfield.
    • Finishing 10th is the Corvette America #46 Corvette, driven by Jack Broomall.
    • Finishing 11th is the Lamberts #70 Corvette, driven by Murray Edwards.
    • Finishing 15th is the A.G. Fick Racing Enterprises #83 Corvette, driven by Warren Fairbanks.
    • Finishing 16th is the Darwin E. Bosell #52 Corvette, driven by Darwin E. Bosell.
    • Finishing 17th is the Pickett Racing #6 Corvette, driven by Greg Pickett.
    • Finishing 20th is the R.J. Valentine #85 Corvette, driven by Richard Valentine.
    • Finishing 21st is the #93 Corvette, driven by Michael Oleyar.
    • Finishing 23rd is the Steve Beard Racing #53 Corvette, driven by Steve Beard.
    • Finishing 25th is the Larry Gross #65 Corvette, driven by Larry Gross.
    • In 29th place, but not finishing the race, is the Pickett Performance #3 Corvette, driven by Tony Brassfield.
    • In 30th place, but not finishing the race, is the Executive Huffaker #98 Corvette, driven by Tom Frank.
    • In 32nd place, but not finishing the race, is the Pickett Performance #9 Corvette, driven by Jerry Brassfield.
    • In 35th place, but not finishing the race, is the Charles West #77 Corvette, driven by Charles West.
    • In 36th place, but not finishing the race, is the Jim Sanborn #35 Corvette, driven by Jim Sanborn.
    • In 39th place, but not finishing the race, is the Bard Boand #75 Corvette, driven by Bard Boand.

  • 2002 - Columbia Pictures releases the xXx film in the US and Canada. A current model Corvette is driven off a bridge, a 730-foot drop.
  • 2002 - At the Watkins Glen International raceway in Watkins Glen, New York, Round 7 of the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series is held.
    • Finishing 2nd in AGT class and 13th overall is the LG Motorsports #25 Corvette, driven by Tom Nastussi and Lou Gigliotti.
    • Finishing 3rd in AGT class and 18th overall is the Morgan Dollar Motorsports #46 Corvette, driven by Stephen Richards and Andrew Richards.
    • Finishing 4th in AGT class and 19th overall is the Morgan Dollar Motorsports #47 Corvette, driven by Rob Morgan and Charles Morgan.
    • In 5th place in AGT class and 23rd overall, but not finishing the race, is the ACP Motorsports #19 Corvette, driven by Kerry Hitt and Doug Mills.

World War II history:

  • 1940 - The German High Command issues a directive for "Otto", the preliminary plan for an attack on the Soviet Union set for Spring 1941.
  • 1941 - The Japanese high command formally endorses the "Go South" strategy, to strike south into the weakly defended islands with valuable natural resources.
  • 1941 - At Placentia Bay, Newfoundland, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and American President Franklin Roosevelt meet on cruiser Augusta over four days.
  • 1944 - (about 0100 hours) The 4th Canadian Armoured Division begins moving again toward Falaise. The Halpenny Force of tanks is stopped by a line of "88" anti-tank guns at Quesney Woods. The Worthington Force takes the wrong hill objective and is not supported. German Panther and Tiger tanks destroy all Canadian tanks, and kill or wound most of the men.
  • 1944 - Adolf Hitler orders tanks and anti-tank guns from the Pas de Calais in north-east France to Falaise.
  • 1944 - American forces liberate St. Malo, on the eastern side of the Brittany peninsula in France.
  • 1944 - (end of day) The 1st Polish Armoured Division in Normandy has captured St. Sylvain and St. Martin des Bois, between Caen and Falaise.
  • 1945 - The Soviet Red Army advances into Manchuria and Outer Mongolia.
  • 1945 - (early hours) In Japan, the Supreme War Council meets, with Emperor Hirohito present. The cabinet and high command are evenly split on the issue of whether to surrender or continue fighting. Emperor Hirohito Mikado is asked to decide; he recommends acceptance of the Allied terms for surrender.
  • 1945 - (1102 hours) An American plane drops a plutonium-atomic bomb over the Urakami suburb of Nagasaki, Japan, off-target by three miles. Estimated dead are 38-70,000.
  • 1945 - Lieutenant Robert Hampton Gray, of the Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve, a fighter pilot on the British Royal Navy HMCS Formidable aircraft carrier, leads an air assault on Japanese warships. His plane catches fire, but he continues dropping bombs, sinking destroyer Amakusa in Onagawa Bay, Honshu. He is killed in action, and is posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.
  • 1945 - (afternoon) Canadian pilot Lieutenant Gerald Anderson is killed when his plane crashes into stern of carrier HMS Formidable while trying to land.
  • 1946 - Bulgaria issues eleven postage stamps depicting Bulgaria's participation in the war.
  • 1990 - Maldives issues eleven postage stamps depicting World War II milestones.
  • 1992 - Marshall Islands issues a postage stamp marking the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Savo Island.

Video game history:

  • 1992 - Midway Amusement Games releases the Mortal Kombat video game Version 1.0 to arcades in the US.
  • 1999 - Sega of America announces it is beginning a US$100 million marketing campaign to promote the Dreamcast video game system, with television advertising showing the system.
  • 2004 - EA Sports releases the Madden NFL 2005 video game for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, Game Boy Advance, and GameCube in the US.
  • 2005 - EA Sports releases the Madden NFL 06 video game for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube in the US.
  • 2009 - Electronic Arts releases The Beatles: Rock Band video game for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in the USA.

Swedish history:

  • 1704 - Russian forces capture Narva and Dorpat in Estonia from the Swedes.

Canadian coin history:

  • 1989 - At the ANA's convention in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, $1 million worth of 1911 to 1952 Canadian Proof and Specimen silver dollar coins are on exhibit, over three days.

USA coin history:

  • 2012 - At the American Numismatic Association World's Fair of Money in Philadelphia, Stack's Bowers Galleries auctions the Battle Born Collection of coins. Some highlights:
    • 1796 1/2-cent, With Pole, MS-64 PCGS: $402,500;
    • 1796 $2.50, No Stars, MS-61 PCGS: $402,500;
    • 1876-CC 20-cent, MS-64 PCGS: $460,000;
    • 1871-CC quarter dollar, MS-65 PCGS: $345,000;
    • 1876-CC $5, MS-66 PCGS: $477,250;
    • 1870-CC $20, AU-53 NGC: $345,000;
    • 1873-CC dime, no arrows, unique, MS-65 PCGS: US$1.84 million, record for a dime.

Sports history:

  • 1893 - First US bowling magazine, Gut Holz, published in New York.
  • 1923 - New York State Golf Association formed.
  • 1925 - Only time Babe Ruth is pinch-hit for in baseball; Bobby Veach flies out.
  • 1936 - Jesse Owens wins fourth gold medal of Berlin Olympics.
  • 1946 - First time all major-league baseball games (8) are played at night.
  • 1975 - First NFL game in Louisiana Superdome, Houston Oilers beats New Orleans Saints 13-7.
  • 1976 - Pittsburgh Pirates' player John Candelaria no-hits Los Angeles Dodgers, 2-0.
  • 1977 - NHL refuses merger of six WHA clubs.
  • 1978 - New York Yankees score five in bottom of 9th to beat Milwaukee Brewers 8-7.
  • 1981 - Major League Baseball resumes from strike with the 52nd All-Star Game in Cleveland's Municipal Stadium. National League beats American League 5-4.
  • 1984 - Daley Thomas of Britain sets the decathlon record (8,847) in Los Angeles, California.
  • 1987 - Los Angeles Rams beat Dallas Cowboys 28-27 in London, England (NFL expo).
  • 1988 - Chicago Cubs beat New York Mets 6-4 in their first official night game at Wrigley Field.
  • 1988 - Edmonton Oilers trade Wayne Gretzky to Los Angeles Kings for $15-$20 million.
  • 1992 - Games of the XXV Olympiad close in Barcelona, Spain.
  • 2004 - British football player Lee Hughes, 28, is sentenced to six years in prison and banned from driving for ten years after being found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving. Hughes also has his contract terminated by his employer West Bromwich Albion.
  • 2005 - EA Sports releases the Madden NFL 06 video game for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube in the USA.
  • 2022 - At T-Mobile Park in Seattle, Washington, USA, Major League Baseball regular season game: Seattle Mariners beats New York Yankees by score 1-0.
  • 2022 - At Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, USA, Major League Baseball regular season game: Los Angeles Dodgers beats Minnesota Twins by score 10-3.
  • 2022 - At Petco Park in San Diego, California, USA, Major League Baseball regular season game: San Diego Padres beats San Francisco Giants by score 7-4.
  • 2022 - At Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, Major League Baseball regular season game: Arizona Diamondbacks beats Pittsburgh Pirates by score 6-4.
  • 2022 - At RingCentral Coliseum, Oakland, California, USA, Major League Baseball regular season game: Los Angeles Angels beats Oakland Athletics by score 5-1.
  • 2022 - At Coors Field in Denver, Colorado, USA, Major League Baseball regular season game: Colorado Rockies beats Saint Louis Cardinals by score 16-5.
  • 2022 - At Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas, USA, Major League Baseball regular season game: Houston Astros beats Texas Rangers by score 7-5.
  • 2022 - At American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, Major League Baseball regular season game: Milwaukee Brewers beats Tampa Bay Rays by score 5-3.
  • 2022 - At Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois, USA, Major League Baseball regular season game: Washington Nationals beats Chicago Cubs by score 6-5.
  • 2022 - At Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, USA, Major League Baseball regular season doubleheader game 1: Kansas City Royals beats Chicago White Sox by score 4-2.
  • 2022 - At Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, USA, Major League Baseball regular season doubleheader game 2: Chicago White Sox beats Kansas City Royals by score 3-2.
  • 2022 - At Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan, USA, Major League Baseball regular season game: Cleveland Guardians beats Detroit Tigers by score 5-2.
  • 2022 - At Citi Field in New York City, New York, USA, Major League Baseball regular season game: New York Mets beats Cincinnati Reds by score 6-2.
  • 2022 - At Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, Major League Baseball regular season game: Atlanta Braves beats Boston Red Sox by score 9-7.
  • 2022 - At Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, Major League Baseball regular season game: Baltimore Orioles beats Toronto Blue Jays by score 6-5.
  • 2022 - At Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, Major League Baseball regular season game: Philadelphia Phillies beats Miami Marlins by score 4-1.

Space exploration history:

  • 1972 - Rockwell receives NASA contract to construct the Space Shuttle.
  • 1973 - USSR launches Mars 7.
  • 1976 - USSR launches Luna 24, to the Moon.
  • 1989 - The asteroid 4769 Castalia is the first asteroid directly imaged by radar from Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico.
  • 2005 - Space Shuttle Discovery returns to Edwards Air Force Base at 8:14 AM EDT, completing STS-114, "Return to Flight."

USA history:

  • 1831 - First US steam engine train run (Albany to Schenectady, New York).
  • 1842 - US-Canada border defined by Webster-Ashburton Treaty.
  • 1848 - Barnburners (anti-slavery) party merges with the Free Soil Party, nominating Martin Van Buren for president.
  • 1862 - Prelude to second Manassas, CSA General Thomas Jackson is victorious at Battle of Cedar Mount, however CSA General Charles S Winder is killed.
  • 1876 - Gold is discovered in the Black Hills of Dakota Territory of the USA.
  • 1892 - The United States Postal Service mail train of $20 million in god coins from San Francisco arrives safely in New York City, after a trip of 4 days, 13 hours, and 16 minutes.
  • 1930 - Betty Boop debuts in Max Fleischer's animated cartoon Dizzy Dishes.
  • 1934 - US President Franklin Roosevelt nationalizes silver.
  • 1945 - (1102 hours) An American plane drops a plutonium-atomic bomb over the Urakami suburb of Nagasaki, Japan, off-target by three miles. Estimated dead are 38-70,000.
  • 1956 - Alabama begins the first US state-wide, state-supported educational TV network.
  • 1960 - Race riot in Jacksonville, Florida, USA.
  • 1969 - Death of Sharon Tate, actress, killed by Charles Manson's gang.
  • 1970 - Peruvian Airlines jet carrying 45 US exchange students explodes.
  • 1972 - Rockwell receives NASA contract to construct the Space Shuttle.
  • 1974 - US President Richard Nixon resigns presidency, Vice President Gerald Ford becomes 38th president.
  • 1976 - Death of Karl Schmidt-Rottluff in West Berlin, Germany; Expressionist/Cubist artist of the group, Die Brücke.
  • 1979 - Raymond Washington, co-founder of the Crips today one of the largest, most gang in the United States, is killed in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles.
  • 1988 - Just one day after 8/8/88 New York lottery's daily number is 888.
  • 1992 - Midway Amusement Games releases the Mortal Kombat video game to arcades in the US.
  • 1995 - Shares of Netscape Communications are first made available to the public on the NASDAQ stock exchange. Before trading, shares are priced at US$28. The stock opens at US$71, reaching a high of US$74.75. The market value of the company becomes US$2.2 billion. This is the best opening day for a stock in Wall Street history for an issue of its size.
  • 2001 - U.S. President George W. Bush announces his support for federal funding of limited research on embryonic stem cells.
  • 2004 - Disney's Donald Duck cartoon character receives a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame.
  • 2007 - The Dow Jones Industrial Average loses 387.18 points, its largest single-day drop since February 27.
  • 2007 - Large French bank B.N.P. Paribas suspends withdrawals from three of its mutual funds, due to investments in American subprime securities.

Other history:

  • 378 - Battle of Adrianople, Visigoth Calvary defeats Roman Army.
  • 1842 - US-Canada border defined by Webster-Ashburton Treaty.
  • 1902 - Edward VII of England crowned king after death of his mother Victoria.
  • 1930 - Betty Boop debuts in Max Fleischer's animated cartoon Dizzy Dishes.
  • 1965 - Singapore gains independence from Malaysia.
  • 1974 - Richard Nixon resigns presidency, Vice President Gerald Ford becomes 38th US president.
  • 1988 - NHL Edmonton Oilers trade Wayne Gretzky to Los Angeles Kings for $15-$20 million.

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