On This Day - December 9, 2026

Noah Webster establishes New York City's first daily newspaper, the American Minerva.

Upon being sworn in as the governor of Louisiana, P.B.S. Pinchback became the first African American to serve as a governor of a U.S. state. He had previously served the state as its lieutenant governor, duties he had assumed when Lieutenant Governor Oscar Dunn died while in office. Then, Pinchback replaced Governor Henry C. Warmoth when his term ended due to impeachment charges.

The U.S. Patent Office issued patent No. 308,990 to Levant M. Richardson of the Richardson Skate Company in Chicago, IL, for his ball-bearing roller skates.

Jay Berwanger of the University of Chicago becomes the first recipient of the Downtown Athletic Club Trophy. In 1936, the trophy was renamed the Heisman Trophy after coach John W. Heisman.

A Charlie Brown Christmas special premieres on CBS. December 9th Celebrated (And Not So Celebrated) Birthdays