Christmas Card Day
The tradition began in 1843 when Sir Henry Cole in England commissioned the first commercial Christmas card. The design, created by John Callcott Horsley, featured a festive family scene and the message “A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You.” By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, sending Christmas cards had become a widespread tradition in both Europe and the United States.
Here’s a look at some notable events, birthdays, and deaths that occurred on December 9th throughout history:
Historical Events
536: Byzantine General Belisarius Enters Rome
The Eastern Roman Empire, led by General Belisarius, captured Rome during the Gothic War.
1793: New York City’s First Daily Newspaper Launched
The American Minerva, founded by Noah Webster (of dictionary fame), began publication.
1851: First YMCA in North America Founded
The first North American branch of the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) opened in Montreal, Canada.
1905: Separation of Church and State in France
The French government enacted a law establishing the separation of church and state, marking a significant moment in French secularism.
1965: A Charlie Brown Christmas Premieres
The beloved animated holiday special debuted on CBS, becoming a cultural staple.
1990: Lech Wałęsa Elected President of Poland
Wałęsa, leader of the anti-communist Solidarity movement, became Poland’s first freely elected president since the country’s communist era.
Famous Birthdays
1608: John Milton
English poet and intellectual, best known for his epic poem Paradise Lost.
1742: Carl Wilhelm Scheele
Swedish chemist who discovered several chemical elements, including oxygen (independently of Joseph Priestley).
1886: Clarence Birdseye
American inventor and entrepreneur, considered the founder of the frozen food industry.
1906: Grace Hopper
Pioneering American computer scientist and U.S. Navy rear admiral, known as the “mother of COBOL” for her work in computer programming languages.
1916: Kirk Douglas
Legendary American actor, producer, and philanthropist, known for films like Spartacus and Paths of Glory.
Notable Deaths
1641: Anthony Van Dyck
Flemish Baroque painter, famed for his portraits of European royalty and aristocracy.
1937: Nils Gustaf Dalén
Swedish physicist and inventor, Nobel laureate in physics, known for his work on lighthouse technology.
1971: Ralph Bunche
American diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize laureate (1950) for his mediation efforts in the Middle East.
1994: Max Bill
Swiss architect, designer, and artist, a prominent figure in modern art and design.
2012: Jenni Rivera
Mexican-American singer and actress, tragically killed in a plane crash.
