On This Day September 9th

 OTD 

September 9 is the 252nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 113 days remain until the end of the year.

E 1000 – Battle of Svolder, Viking Age.

1776 – The Continental Congress officially names its union of states the United States.

1839 – John Herschel takes the first glass plate photograph.

1845 – Possible start of the Great Famine of Ireland.

1892 – Amalthea, the third closest and fifth found moon of Jupiter, was discovered by Edward Emerson Barnard.

1914 – World War I: The creation of the Canadian Automobile Machine Gun Brigade, the first fully mechanized unit in the British Army.

1940 – George Stibitz pioneers the first remote operation of a computer.

1943 – World War II: The Allies land at Salerno and Taranto, Italy.

1956 – Elvis Presley appears on The Ed Sullivan Show for the first time.

1971 – The four-day Attica Prison riot begins, eventually resulting in 39 dead, most killed by state troopers retaking the prison.

1994 – Space Shuttle program: Space Shuttle Discovery is launched on STS-64.vents

Birthdays

1629 – Cornelis Tromp, Dutch general (d. 1691)

1754 – William Bligh, English admiral and politician, 4th Governor of New South Wales (d. 1817)

1828 – Leo Tolstoy, Russian author and playwright (d. 1910)

1855 – Houston Stewart Chamberlain, English-German philosopher and author (d. 1927)

1882 – Clem McCarthy, American sportscaster (d. 1962)

1890 – Colonel Sanders, an American businessman, founded KFC (d. 1980)

1900 – James Hilton, English-American author and screenwriter (d. 1954)

1911 – Paul Goodman, American author, poet, and playwright (d. 1972)

1941 – Dennis Ritchie, American computer scientist, created the C programming language (d. 2011)

1949 – Joe Theismann, American football player and sportscaster

1966 – American actor, comedian, producer, and screenwriter Adam Sandler.

1984 – Brad Guzan, American soccer player

Holidays and Observances

National Teddy Bear Day

Once upon a time, in the early 20th century, two men lived on opposite sides of the world with a remarkable vision. One was Morris Michtom, a humble candy shop owner in Brooklyn, New York; the other was Richard Steiff, a skilled toymaker in Giengen, Germany. Little did they know that their paths would converge, giving birth to one of the most iconic and cherished toys in history—the teddy bear.

In 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt embarked on a hunting expedition to Mississippi. After a long and fruitless day of hunting, the exhausted President refused to shoot a defenseless bear tied to a tree for him. This act of compassion was illustrated in a popular newspaper cartoon by Clifford Berryman. It captured the nation's attention and heart.

Inspired by this event, Morris Michtom's wife, Rose, created a soft, stuffed bear and displayed it in their store window with a sign that read "Teddy's bear." The response was overwhelming, and the Michtoms soon produced these cuddly bears by the dozens.

Meanwhile, Richard Steiff had designed a jointed bear with movable limbs and a hump on its back in Germany. His aunt recognized its potential as a toy and showcased it at the Leipzig Toy Fair in 1903. The "Steiff bear" was an instant hit, and Steiff's company began mass-producing them.

The American and German teddy bears, Michtom's and Steiff's, found their way into the hearts of children and adults alike. Teddy bears symbolize love, comfort, and innocence, transcending borders and cultures. They were given as gifts, cherished as companions, and even used to raise awareness and funds for charitable causes.

Over the decades, teddy bears evolved in design and materials, but their enduring appeal remained constant. They were featured in literature, film, and art, becoming an integral part of popular culture. Famous teddy bear characters like Winnie the Pooh and Paddington Bear emerged, further cementing their historical place.

Today, teddy bears bring comfort and joy to people of all ages, from children cuddling them at bedtime to collectors cherishing vintage bears. The history of teddy bears is a heartwarming tale of compassion, creativity, and the enduring power of a soft, cuddly companion. It's a story that reminds us that even amid a hunt, sometimes the greatest treasure is an act of kindness and a bear hug.

Others Include

Aunt's Day 

Bonza Bottler Day 

Carl Garner Federal Lands Cleanup Day 

Care Bears Share Your Care Day 

Farmer's Consumer Awareness Day 

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Day 

German Language Day 

International Buy a Priest a Beer Day 

International Drive Your Studebaker Day 

International Sudoku Day 

National Clean Out Your Garage Day - September 9, 2023 

National Day of Remembrance for Aborted Children 

National Iguana Awareness Day 

National Lacemaking Day 

National Steak Au Poivre Day

Prairie Day 

Testers Day 

Wienerschnitzel Day 

Wonderful Weirdoes Day 

World First Aid Day