What Happened on September 9

White House Beat

1957 — Eisenhower Signs Civil Rights Act, First Since Reconstruction; Thurmond Filibuster Fails

1957 law creates Civil Rights Commission and Justice Department division after Senate removes voting protections.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 9 — President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Civil Rights Act of 1957 into law today, marking the first federal civil rights legislation enacted by Congress since the Civil Rights Act of 1875.

The measure establishes the United States Commission on Civil Rights and creates a Civil Rights Division within the Department of Justice. Both bodies are charged with investigating violations of voting rights and other civil liberties.

The bill reached the President's desk only after Senator Strom Thurmond of South Carolina concluded the longest one-person filibuster in Senate history. Thurmond spoke for 24 hours and 18 minutes in an unsuccessful effort to block the legislation.

Opponents succeeded in weakening the bill through two key amendments. The Anderson–Aiken amendment and the O'Mahoney jury trial amendment stripped out stringent voting protection clauses that civil rights advocates had sought.

Eisenhower, who had called for civil rights legislation in his 1957 State of the Union address, signed the measure at his desk in the White House.

• The Civil Rights Act of 1957 was the first federal civil rights law passed by Congress since the Civil Rights Act of 1875.
• President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the bill into law on September 9, 1957.
• The act established the United States Commission on Civil Rights and the United States Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.
• Senator Strom Thurmond conducted the longest one-person filibuster in Senate history during debate over the act.
• Opponents removed stringent voting protection clauses via the Anderson–Aiken amendment and the O'Mahoney jury trial amendment.

Source: Wikipedia — Dwight D. Eisenhower

Television City

1956 — Elvis Presley Rocks Ed Sullivan Stage in Debut

The 21-year-old Memphis singer makes his first appearance on the variety program watched by 60 million viewers.

NEW YORK, Sept. 9 — Stage lights blazed down on a young man in a plaid jacket as Ed Sullivan introduced his next guest to the studio audience and a television nation.

Elvis Presley, the 21-year-old rock and roll singer from Memphis, made his first appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" tonight, performing with his band before an estimated 60 million viewers. The broadcast marks Presley's debut on the CBS variety program that has launched countless American careers.

Sullivan, whose show has become a Sunday night institution since its 1948 debut, had previously booked Presley for an appearance last January but withdrew the invitation after the singer's controversial performance on "The Milton Berle Show." Network pressure and Presley's rising record sales brought the booking back.

Presley performed "Don't Be Cruel," "Love Me Tender," and "Ready Teddy" during his segment. Cameramen were instructed to shoot him only from the waist up, a precaution network officials imposed after his hip-shaking televised performances drew protests from viewers.

The appearance caps a year that has seen Presley dominate record charts and concert halls across the country.

• Elvis Presley appears on The Ed Sullivan Show for the first time.

Source: Wikipedia — Elvis Presley

Apple Records Desk

1971 — John Lennon's 'Imagine' Album Released, Reaches Number One on Both Sides of Atlantic

The 1971 solo LP features what is widely considered Lennon's signature song.

LONDON, Sept. 9 — A new recording by the most commercially successful songwriter of the rock era has entered release today with immediate chart impact and the weight of artistic ambition behind it.

"Imagine," the second solo album by John Lennon, was released September 9, 1971, on Apple Records. The LP has already reached number one on both the UK Albums Chart and the US Billboard 200, according to figures released by the label.

Lennon co-produced the record with Yoko Ono and Phil Spector, the producer known for his "Wall of Sound" technique. Recording sessions took place at Ascot Sound Studios in Lennon's Tittenhurst Park estate, at EMI Recording Studios in London, and at the Record Plant in New York City.

The supporting musicians include George Harrison on guitar, Nicky Hopkins on keyboards, Klaus Voormann on bass, and drummers Alan White and Jim Keltner. Harrison's participation marks the most substantial collaboration between the former Beatles bandmates since the group's dissolution in 1970.

The title track, "Imagine," is already widely considered Lennon's signature song. The album's commercial performance matches that critical assessment.

• Imagine was released on 9 September 1971 by Apple Records.
• The album was co-produced by John Lennon, Yoko Ono and Phil Spector.
• George Harrison, Nicky Hopkins, Klaus Voormann, Alan White and Jim Keltner performed on the album.
• Recording took place at Ascot Sound Studios, EMI Recording Studios and the Record Plant in New York City.
• The title track 'Imagine' is widely considered Lennon's signature song.

Source: Wikipedia — Imagine (John Lennon album)

Buckingham Palace Bureau

2015 — Elizabeth II Becomes Longest-Reigning British Monarch

Elizabeth, 25 when she acceded in 1952, has now reigned 70 years and 214 days, outlasting Victoria's 63 years and 216 days.

LONDON, Sept. 9 — In the long arc of British monarchy, a reign that began in the age of Churchill and ration books has today outlasted every other.

Queen Elizabeth II became the longest-reigning monarch of the United Kingdom today, surpassing the record held by her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria. Elizabeth's reign has reached 70 years and 214 days, exceeding Victoria's 63 years and 216 days.

The Queen came to the throne on February 6, 1952, at age 25, following the death of her father, King George VI.

• Elizabeth II's reign of 70 years and 214 days is the longest of any British monarch.
• Her reign is the second-longest of any sovereign state in history.
• She became queen on 6 February 1952 at age 25 upon the death of her father, King George VI.
• Elizabeth II was queen regnant of 32 sovereign states during her lifetime and monarch of 15 realms at her death.
• She surpassed the previous record held by her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria, who reigned 63 years and 216 days.

Source: Wikipedia — Elizabeth II

Philadelphia Dispatches

1776 — Continental Congress Names the Union 'United States' in Historic Vote

The year 1776 sees thirteen colonies forge a single national identity.

PHILADELPHIA, September 9 — John Hancock, president of the Continental Congress, put his name to the resolution that fixed upon "the United States" as the proper style for this confederation of American provinces.

The delegates, sitting in their chamber at the State House, approved the measure without dissent. Heretofore the several colonies had styled themselves in sundry ways — as "United Colonies" or by their separate names — but henceforth they shall be known collectively as the United States of America.

The vote settles upon a permanent designation for the union that declared its independence from Great Britain in July past. The delegates have ordered that this style govern all public acts and correspondence.

• The Continental Congress officially names its union of states the United States.

Source: Wikipedia — Continental Congress

Maritime Intelligence

1588 — Cavendish Completes First Planned Circumnavigation

The Desire enters Plymouth after sailing round the globe by design.

PLYMOUTH, September 9 — Thomas Cavendish, commanding the Desire, has become the first mariner to complete a circumnavigation planned as such from its outset, entering this harbor today two years after his departure.

His voyage follows that of Drake, who rounded the world by necessity and fortune.

• Thomas Cavendish in his ship Desire enters Plymouth and completes the first deliberately planned voyage of circumnavigation.

Source: Wikipedia — Thomas Cavendish

Northern Affairs

1513 — King James IV Slain at Flodden Field

Scotland's king falls in battle, ending his nation's part in the continental war.

LONDON, September 9 — James IV, King of Scots, was defeated and killed this day at the Battle of Flodden, breaking Scotland's power and ending her involvement in the War of the League of Cambrai. His body was found among the slain near the royal banner. Queen Catherine has received the news at Richmond. The northern borders await word of reprisal.

• James IV of Scotland is defeated and dies in the Battle of Flodden, ending Scotland's involvement in the War of the League of Cambrai.

Source: Wikipedia — James IV

Cadiz Shipping News

1493 — Columbus Departs Cadiz With 17 Ships and 1,200 Men for Second Voyage to Indies

The great fleet sails at dawn on a mission of colonization and conversion.

CADIZ, September 9 — Seventeen ships rode at anchor in this harbor at first light, their sails filling as Christopher Columbus led 1,200 men forth on his second voyage to the western lands.

The Admiral of the Ocean Sea commands a far greater force than on his first crossing.

• Christopher Columbus, with 17 ships and 1,200 men, sails on second voyage from Cadiz.

Source: Wikipedia — Christopher Columbus

The India Trade

1499 — Lisbon Hails Da Gama; Sea Route to Spice Lands Opened

Two years after departing, the explorer's fleet brings word that Cape passage yields Calicut's riches.

LISBON, September 9 — The pepper trade shall nevermore pass through the infidel's hands. The carracks rode at anchor in the river Tagus, hulls groaning with cinnamon, cloves, and pepper worth sixty times their weight in gold. Merchants crowded the quays, counting the days until the next fleet sails. King Manuel has ordered a Te Deum at the cathedral for Sunday next.

• The citizens of Lisbon celebrate the triumphal return of the explorer Vasco de Gama, completing his two-year journey around the Cape of Good Hope to India.

Source: Wikipedia — Vasco da Gama

Middle East Diplomatic

1993 — PLO Recognizes Israel After 45 Years of Rejection

The Palestine Liberation Organization officially recognizes Israel as a legitimate state.

The Palestine Liberation Organization has formally recognized Israel as a legitimate state. The recognition came through letters exchanged with Israeli counterparts via Norwegian mediators. The letters omitted Jerusalem, borders, and refugees but affirmed Israel's right to exist. For the PLO, this marked renunciation of its founding charter calling for Israel's destruction. For Israel, it fulfilled Prime Minister Rabin's precondition for Palestinian self-rule. Yasser Arafat signed the letter.

• Israeli–Palestinian peace process: The Palestine Liberation Organization officially recognizes Israel as a legitimate state.

Source: Wikipedia — Israeli–Palestinian peace process

The Union Expansion

1850 — California Wins Statehood; 31st Star Joins Flag as Compromise Crisis Resolves

California is admitted as the thirty-first U.S. state.

WASHINGTON, September 9 — President Millard Fillmore this day affixed his signature to the bill that makes California the thirty-first state of the Union, resolving in one stroke the territorial question that has convulsed Congress since the Mexican war's end.

The admission carries a single condition: California enters as free soil. The gold-rush territory, seized in 1848, drafted its constitution without slavery and elects its officers under that document. Southern senators, demanding protection for bondsmen in the Mexican cession, have blocked statehood eighteen months.

Senator Henry Clay's omnibus, broken into separate bills, yielded this compromise.

• California is admitted as the thirty-first U.S. state.

Source: Wikipedia — California