July 9 1792 - S.L. Mitchell of Columbia College in New York City became the first Professor of Agriculture. "Eeeee-ha!" 1808 - The leather splitting machine was patented this day by Samuel Parker of Billerica, MA. 1847 - A 10-hour work day was established for workers in the State of New Hampshire on this day. Today, it's down to eight hours, minus time for breaks, lunch and general goofing-off... 1872 - The doughnut cutter was patented this day by John F. Blondel of Thomaston, ME. Take your favorite policeman for a donut today! 1878 - The corncob pipe was patented on this day by Henry Tibbe of Washington, MO. You see, Henry was tired of sitting around, puffing on his string bean pipe and decided to go for something more convenient... 1910 - The first airplane to fly a mile in the air did so this day with W.R. Brookins of Atlantic City, NJ at the controls. 1922 - Johnny Weissmuller became the first to swim the 100 meters, freestyle, in less than a minute. The future Tarzan set the pace at an event in Alameda, CA. 1935 - American track star, Norman Bright, ran a two-mile record time of 9 minutes, 13.2 seconds in a meet in New York City. 1953 - The first commuter, passenger service by helicopter began in America's largest city this day. New York Airways provided the lift for busy people who wanted to avoid the traffic below. 1968 - The first All-Star baseball game -- played indoors -- took place at the Astrodome in Houston, TX on this day. The game produced only eight hits over nine innings and no runs were batted in. Willie Mays of the San Francisco Giants scored the only run on a single in the first inning. He moved to second on an errant pick-off play, went to third base on a wild pitch and scored on a double play. The National League beat the American League 1-0. 1969 - Tom Seaver of the New York Mets retired the first 25 Chicago Cubs he faced this day. However, with just two outs to go to get a perfect game, Seaver gave up a single to Jimmy Qualls. The Mets blanked the Cubs 4-0 in that one-hitter. 1972 - Paul McCartney appeared on stage for the first time since 1966 as his group, Wings, opened at Chateauvillon in the south of France. 1977 - "Undercover Angel" by songwriter-turned-pop singer, Alan O'Day, reached the top spot on the "Billboard" chart. It was not the first visit to the top of the pop music world for O'Day, though the million- seller would be his last as a singer. He wrote "Angie Baby", a number one hit for Helen Reddy and the #3 hit, "Rock And Roll Heaven", for The Righteous Brothers. 1984 - The Hoosier Dome in Indianapolis, IN was packed to the rafters this day. 67,596 spectators, the largest crowd to watch a basketball game in the United States, saw the U.S. Men's Olympic Team defeat a team of players from the NBA 97-82. The largest crowd in the world to see a basketball game was in 1951. 75,000 spectators saw the Harlem Globetrotters play in Olympic Stadium in West Berlin, Germany. 1985 - Herschel Walker of the New Jersey Generals was named the Most Valuable Player in the United States Football League (USFL) this day. 1985 - Football great, Joe Namath, signed a five-year pact with ABC TV to provide commentary for "Monday Night Football". The former New York Jets quarterback reportedly earned one-million dollars a year for the job. Namath replaced 'Dandy' Don Meredith. Broadway Joe had previous experience with "Monday Night Football", as a player, when he and the Jets were the first team to play on the still-popular TV series on September 21, 1970. 1986 - A new Broadway showplace opened this night. It was the first new theatre on Broadway in 13 years. The Marquis Theatre, located at the corner of 46th Street and Broadway, seated 1,600 theatregoers. Birthday Board: July 9 1819 - Elias Howe (see "Let's Sew!" Day above) 1916 - Edward Heath (Prime Minister of Great Britain [1970-74]) 1922 - Jim Pollard (Basketball Hall of Famer: Minneapolis Lakers; coach: La Salle College) 1927 - Ed Ames (singer: group: The Ames Brothers: You You You, The Man with the Banjo, The Naughty Lady of Shady Lane, Tammy, Melody d'Amour; solo: My Cup Runneth Over, Who Will Answer; actor: Daniel Boone) 1927 - Red (Leonard) Kelly (Hockey Hall of Famer: Detroit Red Wings: Norris Trophy [1954], Lady Byng Trophy [1951,1953,1954,1961], 4 Stanley Cup wins; Toronto Maple Leafs: 4 Stanley Cup wins; coach: LA Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins: Adams Trophy [1969-70]) 1929 - Lee Hazlewood (songwriter: The Fool, These Boots are Made for Walkin', Sugar Town; singer: Jackson w/Nancy Sinatra) 1929 - Wally Post (baseball) 1929 - Jesse McReynolds (musician: mandolin; bandleader: Virginia Boys and folk singer w/brother Jim: Cotton Mill Man, Ballad of Thunder Road, Freight Train, Diesel on My Tail) 1936 - James Hampton (actor: F Troop, Love American Style, Evening Shade, Doris Day Show, The China Syndrome, Force Five) 1937 - Clemon Daniels (football) 1938 - Brian Dennehy (actor: Cocoon, 10, Presumed Innocent, First Blood, Semi-Tough, Silverado, Johnny We Hardly Knew Ye) 1947 - O.J. (Orenthal James) Simpson (Pro Football Hall of Famer: running back: Heisman Trophy: USC [1968], Buffalo Bills; actor: Naked Gun series, The Towering Inferno, Roots, Capricorn One; acquitted of murder of ex-wife, Nicole, Ron Goldman [1995]) 1952 - John Tesh (TV host: Entertainment Tonight) 1956 - Tom Hanks (academy Award-winning actor: Forrest Gump [1994], Philadelphia [1993], Apollo 13, Sleepless in Seattle, Big, Joe Versus the Volcano, Splash, The Money Pit) 1957 - Kelly McGillis (actress: Witness, The Accused, Top Gun) 1958 - Jimmy Smits (Emmy Award-winning actor: L.A. Law [1989-90]; N.Y.P.D. Blue, Birdland, Glitz, Mi Familia, Gross Misconduct) 1976 - Fred Savage (actor: The Wonder Years, The Princess Bride, Little Monsters, The Boy Who Could Fly) Chart Toppers: July 9 1961 Quarter to Three - U.S. Bonds Tossin' and Turnin' - Bobby Lewis The Writing on the Wall - Adam Wade San Antonio Rose - Floyd Cramer 1969 Love Theme from Romeo and Juliet - Henry Mancini Crystal Blue Persuasion - Tommy James and The Shondells Color Him Father - The Winstons Statue of a Fool - Jack Greene 1977 Undercover Angel - Alan O'Day Da Doo Ron Ron - Shaun Cassidy Looks Like We Made It - Barry Manilow I'll be Leaving Alone - Charley Pride 1985 Sussudio - Phil Collins A View to a Kill - Duran Duran Everytime You Go Away - Paul Young She's a Miracle - Exile Special thanks to 440 International Inc.