On This Day - January 9, 2026

A pioneering balloonist completes the first successful balloon flight in the United States. Ascending over a gathered crowd at the Walnut Street Prison in Philadelphia, French aeronaut Jean Pierre Blanchard demonstrates his hydrogen gas balloon.

Joe Louis squares off in his 20th title defense at Madison Square Garden in New York City. He KOs Buddy Baer in the first round and retains his world heavyweight title.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveils the first iPhone during his keynote session at the Macworld convention in San Francisco, CA. January 9th Celebrated Birthdays Carrie Chapman Catt - 1859 The suffragist and peace activist served as a powerful voice and offered information in an era of change for many women. In 1902, she founded the International Woman Suffrage Alliance. Catt later founded the Woman’s Peace Party. Her efforts along with other women in her lifetime and those before her led to the passage of the 19th amendment. In 1920, just before the amendment’s passage, Catt founded the League of Women Voters.