1. In 1854, the first United States Consul to the Canary Islands was born in California. William David Coolidge was appointed as Consul in 1898 by President William McKinley, and he served until 1911.

2. On August 9, 1910, the first airplane flight in California was made by aviator Glenn Curtiss. Curtiss flew his biplane, named the "Albany Flyer," over a distance of 4,000 feet at a height of about 60 feet.

3. California native James J. Jeffries, a heavyweight boxer who was the world champion from 1899 to 1905, was born on August 9, 1875.

4. In 1965, the Watts Rebellion erupted in Los Angeles, California. The violent uprising began on August 11 and lasted for six days, resulting in 34 deaths and more than 1,000 injuries.

5. August 9, 1971 marked the date of the infamous San Quentin Prison riot in California. The riot was sparked by the killing of three inmates by prison guards, and lasted for three days. The event resulted in the deaths of six inmates and injuries to over 100 others.