Bob Waterfield |
Dec. 9, 1531 - On this morning, an Indian peasant in
Tepeyac, Mexico City named Juan Diego was said to have encounterd 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, 1608 – John Milton, who is best known for his epic
poem “Paradise Lost,” was born in London, England.
Dec. 9, 1775 – During the American Revolutionary War,
Virginia and North Carolina militias defeated 800 slaves and 200 redcoats
serving John Murray, earl of Dunmore and governor of Virginia, at Great Bridge
outside Norfolk, ending British royal control of Virginia. The Tory survivors
retreated first to Norfolk then to Dunmore’s ship, the Otter, where the
majority died of smallpox.
Dec. 9, 1793 - "The American Minerva," founded by
Noah Webster, was published for the first time, and it was the first daily
newspaper in New York City. The paper was produced on Wall Street, near the
Tontine Coffee-House, which was the birthplace of the New York Stock Exchange.
The American Minerva ran for
744 issues, from 1793 until 1796.
Dec. 9, 1803 - The 12th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
was passed by the U.S. Congress. With the amendment, Electors were directed to
vote for a President and for a Vice-President rather than for two choices for
President.
Dec. 9, 1815 – Fort Claiborne became the recognized county
seat of Monroe County, in present-day Alabama.
Dec. 9, 1835 – During the Texas Revolution, the Texian Army
captured San Antonio, Texas.
Dec. 9, 1841 – The Grand Lodge of Alabama issued the charter
to Greening Masonic Lodge No. 53 in Evergreen.
Dec. 9, 1845 – Writer and folklorist Joel Chandler Harris
was born in Eatonton, Ga. He is best known for his 1880 best-seller, “Uncle
Remus: His Songs and His Sayings.” (Some sources say he was born in 1848.)
Dec. 9, 1854 - Alfred Lord Tennyson's poem, "The Charge
of the Light Brigade," was first published in England.
Dec. 9, 1861 – During the Civil War, a skirmish was fought at what was later known as Tulsa, Okla. between pro-Confederate Cherokee, Chickasaw, and Choctaw and Pro-Federal Creek Indians.
Dec. 9, 1861 – During the Civil War, a skirmish was fought at Union Mills, Mo.
Dec. 9, 1861 – During the Civil War, the Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War was established by the U.S. Congress to monitor both military progress and the Lincoln administration. The War Committee, as it was called, was created in the aftermath of the disastrous Battle of Ball's Bluff in October 1861 and was designed to provide a check over the executive branch's management of the war. The committee was stacked with Radical Republicans and staunch abolitionists, however, and was often biased in its approach to investigations of the Union war effort.
Dec. 9, 1862 – During the Civil
War, a six-day Federal reconnaissance from Corinth, Miss. to Tuscumbia, Ala.
began with skirmishes occurring at Cherokee Station and Little Bear Creek, Ala.
Dec. 9, 1862 – During the Civil War, skirmishes were fought at Mudtown, Ark.; and in the vicinity of La Vergne and near Brentwood, Tenn.
Dec. 9, 1862 – During the Civil War, a seven-day Federal operation from Ozark, Mo. into Marion County Ark. began, resulting in the destruction of the extensive Confederate salt works.
Dec. 9, 1862 – During the Civil War, on the heights opposite Fredericksburg, Va., the Grand Divisions of the Army of the Potomac were being prepared for the strife to come. Orders were issued to the division commanders on this day to supply their men with 60 rounds of ammunition apiece, and to prepare three days’ supply of cooked-in-advance rations. Aside from these preparations there was little going on. The Confederate defenders had burned the bridges over the Rappahannock River, and the waterway was far too deep, not to mention cold, to wade across this time of year. Action had to wait on the arrival of pontoon bridges, which were on the way from Washington, but moving slowly.
Dec. 9, 1863 – During the Civil War, a Federal reconnaissance mission began from Waldron to Dutch Creek, Ark.
Dec. 9, 1863 – During the Civil War, the mutiny of black troops at Fort Jackson, La. took place, after two black troops are punished by whipping. There were few dedicated abolitionists like Robert Gould Shaw who were proud to command units of the United States Colored Troops, but many more found it mortifying. One of these latter was in command at Ft. Jackson, Louisiana, downriver from New Orleans. His loathing for this posting was translated into cruel and abusive treatment of the black soldiers under his command. On this day they decided this was behavior with which they would no longer tolerate. There was a mutiny. Other white officers at the installation managed to halt the uprising before blood was shed.
Dec. 9, 1863 – During the Civil War, skirmishes were fought at Okolona, Miss.; at Bean’s Station and at Cumberland Mountain, in the vicinity of Crossville, Tenn.; and at Lewinsville, Va.
Dec. 9, 1863 – During the Civil War, Federal scouts departed from Houston, Mo. in pursuit of Rebel partisans.
Dec. 9, 1864 – During the Civil War, skirmishes were fought at Cuyler’s Plantation, between Eden and Pooler Stations, Monteith Swamp and Ogeechee Canal, Ga.
Dec. 9, 1864 – During the Civil War, the USS Otesgo and the tugboat, Brazely, were sunk by Confederate torpedoes on the Roanoke River, close to Jamesville, N.C.
Dec. 9, 1864 – U.S. General George H. Thomas did not get his nickname of “Old Slow Trot” for nothing. It was not his decision making or command in battle that was slow, as reflected in his other nickname “The Rock of Chickamauga” commemorating his solid defense during that battle which allowed the rest of the Union force to retreat to Chattanooga and safety. But he was not going to attack before he was ready, in this case Hood’s forces outside of Nashville. U.S. Grant had actually written out the orders relieving Thomas of command on this day and his replacement by Schofield. However, protocol required that Grant send this order through Gen. Halleck, while Halleck said it had to come straight from Grant. While this was being settled a heavy ice and sleet storm struck Nashville, making fighting impossible. Thomas’ career remained in the balance.
Dec. 9, 1864 – During the Civil War, a two-day Federal reconnaissance to Hatcher’s Run, Va. began.
Dec. 9, 1865 – The organizational
charter was issued to Georgiana Masonic Lodge No. 285 in Georgiana, Ala.
Dec. 9, 1871 – National Baseball
Hall of Fame outfielder and manager Joe Kelley was born in Cambridge, Mass. He
went on to play for the Boston Beaneaters, the Pittsburgh Pirates, the
Baltimore Orioles, the Brooklyn Superbas, the Cincinnati Reds and the Boston
Doves, and he also managed the Reds and the Doves. He was inducted into the
Hall of Fame in 1971.
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 – Famous Alabama
outlaw 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, 1899 – Jean de Brunhoff,
the man who created Babar, the beloved elephant of children’s literature, was
born in Paris, France.
Dec. 9, 1901 – Florala was
officially incorporated as a municipality. (Ala. League of Mun.)
Dec. 9, 1906 – Grace Hopper, who
helped invent the modern computer, was born in New York City.
Dec. 9, 1914 – The Evergreen
Courant reported that The City Grocery in Evergreen, Ala. had closed due to
“voluntary bankruptcy.”
Dec. 9, 1915 – The Monroe Journal reported that Dr. A.B.
Coxwell had attended the session of the Masonic Grand Lodge in Montgomery
during the previous week.
Dec. 9, 1915 – Turkstan postmistress Jennie C. Turk, the
oldest daughter of John Turk, died at the age of 21. Sixteen months before,
John Turk lost his wife and baby. Jennie was the postmistress at Turkstan and
the office was moved to the store of Mr. W.H. Chase, who was appointed to fill
the vacancy. Jennier Turk was buried at Indian Springs Baptist Cemetery, and
according to her headstone, she was born on Jan. 3, 1894 and she died on Dec.
31, 1915.
Dec. 9, 1918 – During World War I,
Army Pvt. Roy I. Smith of Evergreen, Ala. “died from wounds.”
Dec. 9, 1920 – In Conecuh County,
Ala., George Ruston, charged with the killing of Will Yates, was given a
preliminary trial on this day before Judge Dunn. Ruston was discharged because
the evidence proved justifiable homicide.
Dec. 9, 1930 – National Baseball
Hall of Fame pitcher, manager and owner Rube Foster died at the age of 51 in
Kankakee, Illinois. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1981.
Dec. 9, 1932 – A fiddlers
convention was scheduled to be held at the Effie School building on this
Saturday night. Everyone was invited, and admission was free.
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 was 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, 1937 - Alabama author and dramatist
Francis Nimmo Greene died in Birmingham, Ala.
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. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1980.
Dec. 9, 1940 - The Longines Watch
Company signed for the first FM radio advertising contract with experimental
station W2XOR in New York City.
Dec. 9, 1942 – Pro Football Hall of
Fame linebacker Dick Butkus was born in Chicago, Ill. He went on to play for
Illinois and the Chicago Bears. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.
Dec. 9, 1942 – Evergreen High
School’s basketball team improved to 4-0 on the season with a 38-17 win over
Conecuh County High School in Castleberry. Johnson led Evergreen with 19
points, and Garrett led CCHS with nine points.
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, 1948 – Evergreen High
School played its first ever game in its new “Memorial Gym,” suffering a 47-32
loss to Pensacola High School. The gym’s playing court was 84x50 feet, and the
gym could seat up to 700 fans. About 350 fans turned out for the first game and
saw Guerry Moorer lead Evergreen with 12 points.
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, 1962 - "Lawrence of
Arabia" by David Lean had its world premiere in London.
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, 1965 – National Baseball
Hall of Fame catcher, manager and executive Branch Rickey died at the age of 83
in Columbia, Mo. During his career, he played for the St. Louis Browns and the
New York Highlanders, and he also managed the Browns and the St. Louis
Cardinals. He also served as the general manager for the Browns, Cardinals,
Brooklyn Dodgers and the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was inducted into the Hall of
Fame in 1967.
Dec. 9, 1965 - An article in the New York Times asserted that the U.S. bombing campaign had neither destabilized North Vietnam’s economy nor appreciably reduced the flow of its forces into South Vietnam.
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, 1971 - For the first time since the Paris peace talks began in May 1968, both sides refused to set another meeting date for continuation of the negotiations.
Dec. 9, 1973 - Jim Bakken of the
St. Louis Cardinals kicked six field goals against the Atlanta Falcons.
Dec. 9, 1976 – Major League Baseball
right-handed pitcher Christopher “Scottie” Booker born in Monroeville, Ala. He
graduated from Monroe County High School in 1995 and was 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, 1979 – The eradication of
the smallpox virus was certified, making smallpox the first and to date only
human disease driven to extinction.
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, 1984 - Iranian security men
seized control of the plane ending a five-day hijacking of a Kuwaiti jetliner,
which was parked at the Tehran airport.
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, 1990 - The first American
hostages to be released by Iraq began arriving in the U.S.
Dec. 9, 1991 - Dan Marino of the
Miami Dolphins reached the 20-touchdown mark for an NFL record ninth season.
Dec. 9, 1996 – United Nations
Secretary General Boutros-Ghali approved a deal allowing Iraq to resume its
exports of oil and easing the UN trade embargo imposed on Iraq in 1990.
Dec. 9, 1997 – In the first game
between the two schools in six years, Class 5A Monroe County High School beat
J.U. Blacksher, 78-73, at Uriah. Standout Blacksher players in that game
included Anthony Adams, Tony Dean, Larry Nichols, Josh Qualls and Anthony
Tucker. Mark Chaney was Blacksher’s head coach.
Dec. 9, 1999 - Alabama author
Marian Cockrell died in Roanoke, Va.
No comments:
Post a Comment