Removal of platforms at West Philadelphia station to prepare for the construction of 30th Street stationJanuary 9, 1931 Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

Fred Ott’s Sneeze, one of the earliest Edison Studio films that was made by Edison employee William K. L. Dickson, was released on January 9, 1894.Fred Ott, who was featured sneezing in the 5 second film, started working with Thomas Edison when he was 14 years old and was one of his most trusted assistants.Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

Workers lifting a locomotive from a flat car using a hoist probably at Newhalem in Washington state. January 9, 1924 Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

Postcard of Old Light House, Noank, Connecticut On today’s date January 9, 1788, Connecticut became the 5th state. Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

A Yaqui Indian mother holding a baby, Arizona c. 1910The Battle of Bear Valley, considered to be the final battle of the American Indian Wars, occurred on January 9, 1918 in Arizona.Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

President Nixon admires his 61st birthday cake while celebrating with family and staff members at the Western White House, La Casa Pacifica, in San Clemente.January 9, 1974Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

Jennie Jerome, born in Brooklyn on January 9, 1854 was 20 when she married Lord Randolph Churchill. She supported the political careers of her husband and son Winston (shown with her, right, and brother John.) Despite oft-told tales Lady Churchill did not have a tattoo and did not invent the Manhattan cocktail.Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain in the US. {PD-US}.

Women holding various items such as an American flag and a banner that says “Woman Suffrage Party. Mass meeting. Opera House. Brooklyn Academy of Music. January 9th at 8:15 p.m.” c. 1910-1915 via LOC, no known restrictions

On January 9, 1793, a crowd of spectators gathered near Walnut Street Prison in Philadelphia to watch Jean Pierre Blanchard ascend in a balloon. It was the first manned balloon flight in North America. The audience includedWashington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison and Monroe who would be known as the first five Presidents of The United States. Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

Born January 9, 1900 Richard Halliburton spent half his life traveling the world and writing of his adventures in books and newspapers. Readers followed him as he climbed mountains, sailed seas, flew over jungles, and swam the Panama Canal, paying a 36-cent toll. Halliburton perished in a typhoon while sailing the Sea Dragon, a Chinese junk.Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain in the US.

The ball at Tammany Hall, New York, on January 9, 1860, in commemoration of the anniversary of the battle of New Orleans. Image via NYPL Digital Collections, no known restrictions

On January 9, 2006 “The Phantom of the Opera” became the longest-running show on Broadway. Image via Shutterstock

Crystal Gayle was born on January 9, 1951. Her career began in the 1960’s as a backup singer for her sister, Loretta Lynn and as of 2019 has a discography of 24 albums with “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” as her biggest single.Image of Crystal Gayle in the 1980s from Dayrow1974 via Wikimedia Commons CC BY SA 4.0

On January 9, 1901, the President of Carnegie Steel, Charles M. Schwab, organized a dinner for nearly 90 millionaires at the Schenley Hotel in Pittsburgh. His purpose was to discuss the formation of a new company, U.S. Steel.Image of Schwab in 1901 via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

Bob Denver, who played the role of Gilligan on Gilligan’s Island, was born on January 9, 1935 in New Rochelle, New YorkImage of Bob in 1965 via Wikimedia Commons, public domain