Today in History for Dec. 9, 2014

Chris Booker of Monroeville, Ala.

Dec. 9, 1531 - On this morning, an Indian peasant in Mexico named Juan Diego was said to have encountered a blinding light and unearthly music. Before him appeared the apparition that was to become known as the Virgin of Guadalupe. Later the image of the Virgin was found imprinted inside Juan's cloak.

Dec. 9, 1793 - "The American Minerva" was published for the first time. It was the first daily newspaper in New York City and was founded by Noah Webster.

Dec. 9, 1815 – Fort Claiborne became the recognized county seat of Monroe County, in present-day Alabama.

Dec. 9, 1841 – The Grand Lodge of Alabama issued the charter to Greening Lodge No. 53 in Evergreen, Ala.

Dec. 9, 1848 - American author and creator of "Uncle Remus and Brer Rabbit," Joel Chandler Harris, was born in Eatonton, Ga.

Dec. 9, 1854 - Alfred Lord Tennyson's poem, "The Charge of the Light Brigade," was published in England.

Dec. 9, 1861 - The U.S. Congress created the Joint Committee on the Conduct of War (It was also known as the War Committee).

Dec. 9, 1862 – During the Civil War, today marked the beginning of a six-day Federal reconnaissance from Corinth, Miss. to Tuscumbia, Ala. with skirmishes occurring at Cherokee Station and Little Bear Creek, Ala.

Dec. 9, 1865 – The organizational charter was issued to Georgiana Lodge No. 285 in Georgiana, Ala.

Dec. 9, 1873 - The Colored Normal School at Huntsville, Ala. was created by legislative act. Founded by ex-slave William Hooper Councill, the school educated black teachers for the public schools. It became a land-grant institution in 1891, eventually evolving into Alabama A&M University.

Dec. 9, 1887 – Rube Burrow, who would rob a train near Flomaton, Ala. and eventually got gunned down in Linden, Ala., and his gang committed their fifth train robbery near Genoa, Arkansas around 6 p.m.

Dec. 9, 1918 – During World War I, Army Pvt. Roy I. Smith of Evergreen “died from wounds.”

Dec. 9, 1934 – James B. Stanley, the founder and longtime editor of The Greenville Advocate, passed away in Greenville, Ala. at the age of 90. He is buried in Magnolia Cemetery in Greenville.

Dec. 9, 1935 – Walter Liggett, American newspaper editor, investigative journalist and muckraker, was killed in a gangland murder in Minneapolis, Minn. His murder has never been solved.


Dec. 9, 1935 – The Downtown Athletic Club Trophy, later renamed the Heisman Trophy, was awarded for the first time. The winner was halfback Jay Berwanger of the University of Chicago.

Dec. 9, 1938 – Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive end Deacon Jones was born in Eatonville, Fla. He would go on to play for the Los Angeles Rams, the San Diego Chargers and the Washington Redskins.

Dec. 9, 1942 – Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Dick Butkus was born in Chicago, Ill.

Dec. 9, 1946 – The "Subsequent Nuremberg trials" began with the "Doctors' trial", prosecuting physicians and officers alleged to be involved in Nazi human experimentation and mass murder under the guise of euthanasia.

Dec. 9, 1951 - Bob Waterfield of the Los Angeles Rams became the first professional football player to kick five field goals in one game.

Dec. 9, 1953 – The fourth annual Conecuh County Christmas Carnival was scheduled to be held in downtown Evergreen, Ala.

Dec. 9, 1956 - A radio version of Alabama author Ambrose Bierce's story "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" was broadcast as part of the “Suspense” series.

Dec. 9, 1965 – What is known as the “Kecksburg UFO Incident” occurred when a fireball was seen from Michigan to Pennsylvania. Witnesses reported something crashing in the woods near Pittsburgh. In 2005 NASA admitted that it examined the object.


Dec. 9, 1965 - The Cincinnati Reds traded outfielder Frank Robinson to the Baltimore Orioles, in exchange for the pitchers Milt Pappas and Jack Baldschun and the outfielder Dick Simpson. The trade is widely regarded as one of the worst in major league baseball history.

Dec. 9, 1967 - Jim Morrison of The Doors was arrested onstage in New Haven, Conn. and charged with breach of peace and resisting arrest.

Dec. 9, 1973 - Jim Bakken of the St. Louis Cardinals kicked six field goals against the Atlanta Falcons.

Dec. 9, 1976 – Former MLB right-handed pitcher Christopher Scottie Booker born in Monroeville, Ala. He graduated from Monroe County High School in 1995 and would go on to be drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 1995 amateur draft. He made his MLB debut for the Cincinnati Reds on Sept. 5, 2005. He would go on to play for the Kansas City Royals and the Washington Nationals. His final MLB appearance was on July 25, 2007 for the Washington Nationals.

Dec. 9, 1984 - Eric Dickerson of the Los Angeles Rams became only the second pro football player to run for more than 2,000 yards in a season. O.J. Simpson held the previous record at 2,003.

Dec. 9, 1984 - Walter Payton of the Chicago Bears ran six plays as quarterback. He ran the ball four times and threw two interceptions.


Dec. 9, 1985 - Jerry Rice of the San Francisco 49ers began a streak of over 100 consecutive games with receptions.

Dec. 9, 1989 – NBA guard Eric Bledsoe was born in Birmingham, Ala. After graduating from Birmingham’s Parker High School, he went on to play one year at the University of Kentucky, where he aveaged 11.3 points per game. He went on to play in the NBA for the Los Angeles Clippers and the Phoenix Suns.


Dec. 9, 1991 - Dan Marino of the Miami Dolphins reached the 20 touchdown mark for an NFL record ninth season.