What Happened on February 9?

February 9 is National Pizza Day! It is also when 73 million people watched The Beatles change TV history and when America's official weather service was born.

• 1870 — President Grant signs the weather service into existence

  On February 9, 1870, President Ulysses S. Grant signed a resolution creating America's first national weather service — the ancestor of today's National Weather Service. Read the full story →

• 1964 — 73 million watch The Beatles debut on The Ed Sullivan Show

  Two days after landing in New York, The Beatles stepped onto TV's biggest stage on February 9, 1964 — about 73 million Americans tuned in, a record at the time. Read the full story →

• 1971 — Apollo 14 astronauts wrap up their Moon mission with splashdown

  On February 9, 1971, Apollo 14's command module splashed down safely in the Pacific Ocean, closing out a mission that had included two Moonwalks and two lunar golf balls. Read the full story →

Famous birthdays

Alice Walker (1944) · William Henry Harrison (1773–1841) · Joe Pesci (1943)

Days & observances

National Pizza Day · National Developmental Pediatricians Day