What Happened on July 9

Constitutional Affairs

1868 — Fourteenth Amendment Ratified; Citizenship Guaranteed

Secretary Seward proclaims the amendment ratified, overruling the Dred Scott decision.

WASHINGTON, July 9 — Secretary of State William H. Seward today proclaimed the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States to be ratified, the requisite twenty-eight States having given their approval. The amendment, which declares that all persons born or naturalized in the United States are citizens thereof, and that no State shall deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws, stands as the foremost fruit of the late rebellion's settlement.

The amendment embraces four distinct clauses: the Citizenship Clause, the Privileges or Immunities Clause, the Due Process Clause, and the Equal Protection Clause. By the first, the Supreme Court's decision in the Dred Scott case is overruled; no longer may the African race be excluded from citizenship. By the last, individuals in like situations are to be treated alike by the law, a principle of enduring reach.

The defeated States of the Confederacy were required to ratify the amendment as a condition of regaining representation in the Congress. Their assent, together with that of the loyal States, has now completed the work. The instrument, thus adopted, becomes a part of the supreme law of the land, binding upon every State and every citizen. The Secretary's proclamation, issued this day, sets at rest the long contest over the amendment's fate. The provision for the equal protection of the laws is understood to place the rights of all persons upon a common footing.

• The Fourteenth Amendment was ratified by the minimum required twenty-eight states.
• The amendment includes the Citizenship Clause, Privileges or Immunities Clause, Due Process Clause, and Equal Protection Clause.
• States of the defeated Confederacy were required to ratify the amendment to regain representation in Congress.
• The Equal Protection Clause mandates that individuals in similar situations be treated equally by the law.
• The Citizenship Clause overruled the Supreme Court's Dred Scott decision that African Americans could not become citizens.

Amusement Machines

1981 — Nintendo's Donkey Kong Leaps Into Arcades, Introduces Mario

Released July 9, 1981, Donkey Kong is the first game with jumping and is expected to be the highest-grossing game of 1981 in Japan.

TOKYO, July 9 — Nintendo today released Donkey Kong, an arcade game that introduces Mario, a character destined to become one of the most famous in video-game history. The game, which is the first to feature jumping, pioneers the platform genre and is expected to be the highest-grossing game of 1981 in Japan.

Created to salvage unsold cabinets from the failure of Nintendo's Radar Scope, Donkey Kong has already been sold to distributors and is being installed in arcades across the country. The game's hero, a carpenter named Mario, must scale a construction site to rescue a damsel from a giant ape, all while leaping over barrels and other obstacles.

The game's innovative jump mechanic is its most distinctive feature, setting it apart from the maze-chase and space-shooter games that dominate the market. Industry observers expect the game to be a hit in the United States as well, where it is scheduled for release later this year. The game's various ports, expected for home consoles and computers, are projected to sell more than 15 million units worldwide. Universal City Studios has filed a lawsuit against Nintendo, alleging that Donkey Kong infringes its King Kong trademark; the case is pending.

• Donkey Kong was released in Japan on July 9, 1981.
• Donkey Kong was created to salvage unsold arcade cabinets following the failure of Nintendo's Radar Scope.
• Donkey Kong was the first game to feature jumping and pioneered the platform genre.
• Donkey Kong was the highest-grossing game of 1981 in Japan and of 1982 in the United States.
• Donkey Kong's various ports sold more than 15 million units worldwide.

Geophysical Notes

1958 — Alaska Earthquake Unleashes 1,720-Foot Wave

An earthquake between magnitude 7.8 and 8.3 triggered a 1,720-foot wave that killed five people.

LITUYA BAY, Alaska, July 9 — An earthquake of magnitude 7.8 to 8.3 struck here at 10:15 p.m. local time, triggering a rockslide that sent a wall of water 1,720 feet high crashing through the bay, the largest megatsunami in modern times. The wave, which washed out trees to an elevation of 524 meters at the entrance of Gilbert Inlet, killed five people.

The rockslide, estimated at 30 million cubic meters and about 90 million tons, was heard 80 kilometers away. At the time of the quake, the tide was ebbing at about plus 1.5 meters and the weather was clear. The wave surged over the bay's shores, stripping the slopes of vegetation and leaving a swath of destruction.

• The earthquake that triggered the megatsunami had a moment magnitude of 7.8 to 8.3 and occurred on July 9, 1958, at 22:15:58 PST.
• The rockslide consisted of 30 million cubic meters (40 million cubic yards) and about 90 million tons.
• The impact of the rockslide was heard 80 kilometers (50 miles) away.
• The megatsunami washed out trees to a maximum elevation of 524 meters (1,719 feet) at the entrance of Gilbert Inlet.
• This is the largest and most significant megatsunami in modern times, responsible for the deaths of 5 people.

World Affairs Desk

1955 — Einstein, Russell Sign Nuclear Warning

Nine intellectuals, including Einstein, sign manifesto urging conference on weapons of mass destruction

LONDON, July 9 — Bertrand Russell, the British philosopher, today presented a manifesto signed by Albert Einstein and nine other eminent scientists and thinkers, urging a conference to assess the dangers of weapons of mass destruction. The document, drafted by Russell, warns that nuclear weapons pose an existential threat to humanity. The signatories, including Einstein, who died earlier this year, call on governments to renounce war.

• In 1955, Einstein and ten other intellectuals and scientists, including British philosopher Bertrand Russell, signed a manifesto highlighting the danger of nuclear weapons.

Lawn Tennis

1877 — Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championship Opens at All England Club

Official tournament opens with 22 players, final set for 19 July before 200 spectators.

LONDON, July 9 — The world's first official lawn tennis tournament, destined to become the standard of the game, commenced today at the All England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon. The Gentlemen's Singles, the sole event, has attracted 22 players, each paying a guinea. The final, postponed three days by rain, will be played on 19 July before about 200 spectators, each paying one shilling.

• The 1877 Wimbledon Championship was the world's first official lawn tennis tournament, held at the All England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club.
• The Gentlemen's Singles competition featured 22 players, each paying a guinea entry fee, and was the only event.
• The final, postponed three days by rain, was played on 19 July before about 200 spectators paying one shilling each.
• Spencer Gore, a 27-year-old rackets player from Wandsworth, defeated William Marshall in three straight sets in 48 minutes.
• Gore won 12 guineas prize money and a silver challenge cup valued at 25 guineas, donated by The Field magazine.

Atomic Desk

1962 — U.S. Detonates 1.4-Megaton Bomb in Space

U.S. detonates a 1.4-megaton warhead 250 miles above the Pacific, visible from Hawaii.

JOHNSTON ATOLL, July 9 — In the first full year of the space age's military reach, the United States has fired the largest nuclear explosion ever loosed in outer space, a 1.4-megaton warhead detonated 250 miles above the Pacific. The blast, part of Operation Fishbowl within the broader Operation Dominic series, lit the night sky from Hawaii at 11 p.m. local time, the fireball hanging some 10 degrees above the horizon. Launched from this atoll, about 900 miles west-southwest of Honolulu, the Thor rocket's warhead burst 13 minutes and 41 seconds after liftoff.

• Starfish Prime was detonated at an altitude of 250 miles (400 km) above a point southwest of Johnston Atoll on July 9, 1962.
• The explosion had a yield of 1.4 megatons, making it the largest nuclear test conducted in outer space.
• The Thor rocket carrying the warhead launched from Johnston Atoll, about 900 miles west-southwest of Hawaii.
• The detonation occurred 13 minutes and 41 seconds after liftoff.
• The explosion was visible from Hawaii at 11 pm local time, about 10° above the horizon.

Art and Artists

1962 — Warhol's Soup Cans Go on Display at Ferus Gallery

Thirty-two paintings line the walls like grocery shelves, with only five or six sold and one reserved by Dennis Hopper before the opening.

LOS ANGELES, July 9 — Andy Warhol's Campbell's Soup Cans, thirty-two paintings of the familiar red-and-white tins, opened tonight at the Ferus Gallery on La Cienega Boulevard, a seminal moment for the new pop art movement.

The canvases, each depicting a different soup variety, were mounted in a single row on narrow ledges, echoing the way grocery items sit on a shelf. Warhol himself was absent from the opening, which coincided with the boulevard's popular Monday Art Walk.

Only five or six paintings found buyers, including one reserved before the opening by actor Dennis Hopper. Art dealer Irving Blum, who organized the show, purchased the complete set of thirty-two from Warhol for $1,000, to be paid in ten monthly installments of $100.

• The exhibition opened July 9, 1962, at the Ferus Gallery in Los Angeles.
• The 32 paintings were displayed in a single row on narrow ledges, like grocery items on a shelf.
• Only five or six paintings were sold, including one reserved by actor Dennis Hopper before the opening.
• Art dealer Irving Blum bought the complete set of 32 paintings from Warhol for $1,000, paid in ten monthly installments of $100.
• Warhol was absent from the opening, which coincided with La Cienega Boulevard's popular Monday Art Walk.

Pacific War Desk

1943 — Saipan Falls to U.S. Forces After Mass Japanese Suicide Attack Repelled

U.S. forces repelled a mass Japanese suicide attack, ending organized resistance on Saipan on July 9, 1944, with at least 3,000 soldiers and 1,000 civilians dead.

WASHINGTON, July 9 — The Battle of Saipan concluded on July 9, 1944, with American forces repelling a mass Japanese suicide attack, ending organized resistance on the island. At least 3,000 Japanese soldiers died in the gyokusai charge, while about 1,000 civilians committed suicide as the fighting closed. The battle cost more than 46,000 military casualties and at least 8,000 civilian deaths.

• The Battle of Saipan concluded on July 9, 1944, after a mass Japanese suicide attack was repelled by American forces.
• Organized resistance ended when at least 3,000 Japanese soldiers died in a mass gyokusai attack, and about 1,000 civilians committed suicide.
• The battle claimed more than 46,000 military casualties and at least 8,000 civilian deaths.
• The capture of Saipan put major Japanese home island cities within range of B-29 bombers for strategic bombing.
• The battle precipitated the resignation of Hideki Tōjō, the prime minister of Japan.

Musical Intelligence

1763 — Mozart Children Start Grand Tour

A broken carriage wheel caused a 24-hour pause, during which young Wolfgang played the organ at Wasserburg.

SALZBURG, July 9 — Leopold Mozart, deputy Kapellmeister to the Prince-Archbishopric of Salzburg, has commenced a grand tour of Western Europe with his children, Maria Anna, eleven, and Wolfgang, seven, both celebrated as prodigies. A carriage wheel broke on the first day, forcing a 24-hour pause; Mozart employed the delay to let Wolfgang play the organ at Wasserburg, as if he had studied it for months.

• On the first day of the tour, a carriage wheel broke, requiring a 24-hour pause while repairs were carried out.
• Leopold Mozart used the delay to let Wolfgang play the organ at Wasserburg, as if he had studied it for months.
• In Munich, the children performed before Elector Maximilian III and earned half of Leopold's annual salary of 354 florins.
• The children were aged eleven and seven respectively at the start of the tour.
• Leopold Mozart obtained extended leave from his post as deputy Kapellmeister to the Prince-Archbishopric of Salzburg.

World Cup Final

2006 — Italy Triumphs in Berlin Shootout

Italy win their fourth World Cup after a 5-3 penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw, ending a 24-year wait.

BERLIN, July 9 — The roar of 69,000 at the Olympiastadion had barely faded when Italy claimed their fourth World Cup title, beating France 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in extra time. The victory, their first in 24 years, put them one ahead of Germany. France's Zinedine Zidane was sent off for headbutting Marco Materazzi in the chest, while Andrea Pirlo was named man of the match. Zidane, who collected the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player, leaves the game in disgrace. Argentina's Horacio Elizondo refereed the final, which featured eight Juventus players.

• Italy defeated France 5–3 on penalties after a 1–1 draw in extra time at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.
• The final was witnessed by 69,000 spectators and refereed by Horacio Elizondo from Argentina.
• Italy's victory was their first world title in 24 years and their fourth overall, putting them one ahead of Germany.
• France's Zinedine Zidane was sent off for headbutting Italy's Marco Materazzi in the chest during extra time.
• Italy's Andrea Pirlo was named man of the match, while Zidane received the Golden Ball as best player of the tournament.