July 9
14th Amendment Ratified
Ratified on July 9, 1868, the 14th Amendment granted citizenship to "all persons born or naturalized in the United States," including formerly enslaved people. It also guaranteed equal protection under the law and due process. This amendment became the foundation for many landmark civil rights cases.
Daniel Hale Williams Performs Open-Heart Surgery
On July 9, 1893, Dr. Daniel Hale Williams successfully sutured the pericardium of a stabbing victim at Provident Hospital in Chicago. He also founded Provident Hospital, the first non-segregated hospital in the United States.
Satchel Paige Debuts in Major Leagues
On July 9, 1948, Leroy "Satchel" Paige made his Major League debut with the Cleveland Indians at age 42, becoming the oldest rookie in MLB history. Already a legend in the Negro Leagues, Paige helped the Indians win the 1948 World Series and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1971.