Today is Thursday, July 9, the 190th day of 2026. On this day in 1868, the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, granting citizenship and equal protection under the laws to anyone born or naturalized in the United States, including formerly enslaved people.
Historical Significance
The 14th Amendment is a cornerstone of our constitutional rights, ensuring that all citizens are treated equally under the law. This amendment has had a profound impact on our nation’s history, from the civil rights movement to modern-day debates on individual liberty.
In addition to the 14th Amendment, July 9 has been marked by other significant events throughout history. In 1850, President Zachary Taylor died of gastrointestinal illness after consuming a large amount of cherries and iced milk on a hot day five days earlier. Vice President Millard Fillmore was sworn in as president the following day.
Other notable events on July 9 include the delivery of William Jennings Bryant’s famous Cross of Gold speech at the Democratic National Convention in 1896, and the launch of Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily, during World War II in 1943.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
