1. On August 9, 1962, James Meredith became the first African American student to enroll at the University of Mississippi. His admission was met with riots and violent protests, and he was escorted onto campus by federal marshals.

2. On August 9, 1997, wrestler Bret Hart had a now-infamous match against Shawn Michaels at the WWF SummerSlam pay-per-view event in Tupelo, Mississippi. The match ended controversially, with Michaels winning after referee Earl Hebner allegedly made a fast count.

3. August 9, 1862 saw the Battle of Baton Rouge, which was fought between Union and Confederate forces during the American Civil War. The Union forces were victorious, and the Confederate leader, Brigadier General Thomas Green, was killed in the battle.

4. On August 9, 1902, the city of Meridian, Mississippi, was nearly destroyed by a massive fire that burned for over 12 hours. Despite the efforts of firefighters from across the region, the fire destroyed over 100 buildings in the downtown area.

5. August 9, 1944 saw the completion of the historic Natchez Trace Parkway, a scenic road that stretches over 400 miles through Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee. The parkway follows the path of the historic Natchez Trace, a trail used by Native Americans, European explorers, and early settlers for centuries.