On This Day – October 9
Image source: The GrayVine
Ready to take a trip down memory lane? Let’s look back at some of the most significant events in American history that happened on this day, starting with…
1701: Charter for Collegiate School (later Yale University)
Connecticut’s colonial legislature chartered the Collegiate School in Saybrook to train ministers and civil leaders; it later moved to New Haven and became Yale College.
1835: Roger Williams Banished from Massachusetts Bay Colony
Religious dissident Roger Williams was banished for his views on separation of church and state, sowing early seeds for religious freedom in America.
1855: Isaac Singer Patents Sewing Machine Motor
American inventor Isaac Singer received a patent for a motor mechanism that improved the sewing machine’s efficiency—a key innovation in domestic manufacturing.
1919: Cincinnati Reds Win World Series vs Chicago White Sox
The Reds defeated the White Sox 10-5 in Game 8 of the 1919 Series; this was the last Series played before the position of Baseball Commissioner was established after the Black Sox scandal.
1936: Boulder Dam (later Hoover Dam) Begins Transmitting Power to Los Angeles
The first electrical generation unit at Boulder Dam sent power to LA, marking a major milestone in American infrastructure and western development.
1941: Roosevelt Calls for Authority to Arm US Merchant Ships
On October 9, 1941, President Franklin Roosevelt urged Congress to permit the arming of American merchant vessels in waters threatened by German U-boats—an important step toward US involvement in WWII.
2006: North Korea Conducts Its First Nuclear Test
Though not US-centric, this event had major global geopolitical implications, including for US foreign policy and national security.
Do you remember any of these events? Or do you have more events (historical or not!) you'd like to share with the community? Post them below and let's reminisce together!
