What Happened On
Mister Rogers Breaks a Color Barrier
May 9, 1969
In 1969, many places in America did not allow blacks and whites to share swimming pools. Mister Rogers, on his TV show Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, invited Officer Clemmons, who was African-American, to join him in cooling his feet in a wading pool breaking this color barrier. Afterwards, they shared a towel together to dry their feet.
Actor-singer François Clemmons played the role of Officer Clemons on the show from 1968 to 1993.
Smokey Bear
May 9, 1950
A bear cub is rescued from a New Mexico fire. The U.S. forest service made him the symbol for forest fire prevention. By 1964, his fan mail was so great that he was given his own zip code, 20252.
The forest service had been using a cartoon version of Smokey Bear since 1944. This cub became the live embodiment of that cartoon. "Only You Can Prevent Wildfires."
They Couldn't Hit an Elephant at this Distance
May 9, 1864
During the Civil War battle of Spotsylvania, American general John Sedgwick proclaims, "They couldn't hit an elephant at this distance," just as he was shot and killed by a confederate sharpshooter.
Join or Die
May 9, 1754
Benjamin Franklin's famous cartoon is published in the Pennsylvania Gazette. "Join or Die" depicted a snake cut into segments, each representing a colony. It would become a symbol of colonial unity during the American Revolution. It showed a snake cut into eighths, with each segment labeled with the initials of one of the American colonies or regions. New England was represented as one segment. Delaware was not listed separately as it was part of Pennsylvania. Georgia, however, was omitted completely, making only eight segments instead of the traditional 13 colonies.
The crown (now restored) was flattened in the heist
The crown (now restored) was flattened in the heist
Crown Jewels Stolen
May 9, 1671
The Crown Jewels of England are stolen from the Tower of London by Irish adventurer Colonel Thomas Blood. Although he was captured while fleeing, King Charles II, who supposedly admired his daring, gave him a full pardon, land in Ireland, and a pension. Some speculate that he might have been working for the King, who was short of cash at the time.
Blood and a female companion, disguised as a parson and wife, went to view the jewels. At the time, you could view the jewels for a fee. While viewing, Blood's "wife" pretended to be ill. The jewel keeper's wife invited her up to her apartment to recover. Later, Blood sent the jewel keeper's wife four pairs of white gloves as a gesture of thanks. The couples became friends with Blood offering his fictitious nephew's hand in marriage to the jewel keeper's daughter. Blood then got the jewel keeper to show the jewels to his "nephew" and friends, at which time Blood and his crew clubbed, stabbed, and gagged the jewel keeper. They flattened St. Edward's Crown so that Blood could hide it under his clerical coat. They also cut the Sceptre with the Cross in two so that it would fit in their bag. The jewel keeper managed to get his gag loose and cried out for help. The gang was apprehended as they fled.
Birthdays
Marston (right) testing his lie detector
Marston (right) testing his lie detector
William Moulton Marston
Born May 9, 1893 d. 1947
American psychologist, cartoonist. He is the co-creator of Wonder Woman (1941) and inventor the lie detector.
Photo Credit: Roland Unger
Photo Credit: Roland Unger
Howard Carter
Born May 9, 1874 d. 1939
English Egyptologist. Discovered King Tutankhamen's tomb (1922).
Kemmler's execution
Kemmler's execution
William Kemmler
Born May 9, 1860 d. 1890
American murderer. He was the first person executed in the electric chair.
Creator of Peter Pan
J. M. Barrie (James Matthew Barrie)
Born May 9, 1860 d. 1937
Scottish author. Writings: Peter Pan (1904).
Before his death, he gave the rights to the Peter Pan works to Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London, which continues to benefit from them.