Today In History (December 9, 2013)

Today In History

 December 9th

Frederik II crowned as King of Germany 

1212

Frederick II (1194-1250)

He as one of the most powerful Holy Roman Emperors of the Middle Ages and head of the House of Hohenstaufen. His political and cultural ambitions, based in Sicily and stretching through Italy to Germany.

 Noah Webster establishes NY's 1st daily newspaper, American Minerva

1793

Noah Webster (1758-1843)

1793, Alexander Hamilton lent him $1,500 to move to New York City to edit the leading Federalist Party newspaper. In December, he founded New York's first daily newspaper, American Minerva (later known as the Commercial Advertiser), and edited it for four years, writing the equivalent of 20 volumes of articles and editorials. In 1806 he published his first dictionary.

1st Christmas Seals sold at the Wilmington Delaware post office

1907

Emily Bissell (1861-1948)

Contributions for the original seals, which was designed by Emily P. Bissell, helped in the fight against tuberculosis. A hospital in Wilmington is named in honor of Bissell. 

General Electric announces all Communist employees will be fired

1953

McCarthy's  Un-American hearings had huge impact across the United States in political, industrial and academic spheres. General Electric announces that all communist employees will be fired and anyone who refuses to testify under oath "before a competent government authority" on their political affiliations will be suspended.

Phoenix Arizona, gets 3" of snow

1985

Winter storms are not unheard of in Phoenix in the winter months but at times it does actually snow. While the Phoenix area is known as the "Valley of the Sun" on December 9, 1985 the basin did receive a record 3 inches of the white fluffy cold stuff.