What Happened on September 9?
September 9 is National Teddy Bear Day — celebrating cuddly childhood friends — on the same date California joined the Union in 1850, Elvis rocked The Ed Sullivan Show in 1956, and Arthur Ashe won the U.S. Open in 1968.
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1850 — California becomes the 31st U.S. state
On September 9, 1850, California joined the Union as the thirty-first state — skipping the usual territorial stage after the Gold Rush boom. Read the full story →
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1944 — Allied forces liberate Luxembourg in World War II
On September 9, 1944, Allied troops entered Luxembourg City, freeing the small nation after more than four years of Nazi occupation. Read the full story →
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1948 — North Korea is proclaimed as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
On September 9, 1948, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was formally established in the north of the Korean Peninsula under Kim Il-sung. Read the full story →
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1956 — Elvis Presley makes his first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show
On September 9, 1956, Elvis Presley performed on The Ed Sullivan Show — drawing about 60 million viewers and becoming the decade's most-watched TV broadcast. Read the full story →
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1968 — Arthur Ashe becomes the first Black man to win the U.S. Open
On September 9, 1968, Arthur Ashe defeated Tom Okker to win the first U.S. Open held as a true open tournament — and made history as the first Black man to claim the title. Read the full story →
Famous birthdays
Adam Sandler (1966) · Leo Tolstoy (1828–1910) · Otis Redding (1941–1967) · Harland 'Colonel' Sanders (1890–1980)
Days & observances
National Teddy Bear Day · California Admission Day · Wonderful Weirdos Day · National Wiener Schnitzel Day