What Happened on Dec 8

Second Battle Of Bloody Creek

The Second Battle of Bloody Creek was an episode in the French and Indian War, where a detachment of British soldiers from nearby Annapolis Royal... Read more

Andrew Jackson's First Annual Message To Congress

Perhaps the most controversial aspect of Jackson's presidency was his policy regarding American Indians. Jackson was a leading advocate of a policy... Read more

Charles Sherwood Stratton, aka 'General Tom Thumb' Performs at Barnum's American Museum

Visiting his home state of Connecticut on a cold November night in 1842, the great showman Phineas T. Barnum thought to track down an amazingly... Read more

Abraham Lincoln Issues Amnesty Proclamation

I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, do proclaim, declare, and make known to all persons who have, directly or by implication,... Read more

Church of the Company Fire

The Church of the Company Fire (December 8, 1863) is the largest fire to have ever affected the city of Santiago, Chile. Between 2,000 and 3,000... Read more

Lincoln Attempts Reconstruction with the Ten Percent Plan

December 8: President Lincoln announces the Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction. It offers pardon and restoration of property -- except... Read more

Louisiana Ratifies A New State Constitution

Citizens of Louisiana ratified a new state constitution on December 8, 1879. Simultaneously, the state capital was moved from New Orleans to Baton... Read more

Ring Theatre Fire

A fire at the Ring Theater in Vienna, Austria, kills at least 620 people and injures hundreds more on this day in 1881. The luxurious, ornate... Read more

Sea Battle Of the Falkland Islands

British Squadron, 10 Vessels Admiral F. D. Sturdee German Squadron, Five Vessels Admiral von Spee England took immediate steps to revenge... Read more

The Film Version of 'A Farewell to Arms' Is Released

Gary Cooper and Helen Hayes play Frederic and Catherine, a soldier and nurse who fall for each other in wartime, and they are matched perfectly.... Read more

Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo Remarry

Dr. Eloesser was also a close friend of Diego who was also in San Francisco at the time. While Frida was recuperating, Dr. Eloesser convinced... Read more

First Battle of Guam

The First Battle of Guam, was an engagement during the Pacific War in World War II, and took place on December 8, 1941 on Guam in the Mariana... Read more

Battle of Wake Island

Wake Island was an American outpost in the central Pacific. Wake is a coral atoll, made up of three islands. Wake Island itself is the largest,... Read more

Franklin D. Roosevelt delivers "a date that will live in infamy" speech, committing the US to WWII

Text of Speech Yesterday, December 7, 1941 — a date which will live in infamy — the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately... Read more

Japanese Forces Invade Malaya

Air Marshal Sir Robert Brooke-Popham, commanding officer of the British Forces in the Far East, fearing that the Japanese Fleet was trying to... Read more

Al Capone's Armored Cadillac Used as Franklin D. Roosevelt's Limousine

I hope Mr. Capone won’t mind. Read more

Frank Sinkwich Wins Heisman Trophy

Frank was in a Marine uniform when he accepted his Trophy. He still holds the Orange Bowl total offense record-382 yards rushing and passing. He... Read more

Seacliff Asylum Fire

At about 9.45 pm on Tuesday 8 December, 1942, fire broke out in Ward 5. This ward was a two-storeyed wooden building which had been added onto the... Read more

Battle of San Pietro Infine

The direct attack on the German positions in and around San Pietro began on December 8 by II Corps of the Fifth Army. The positions were defended... Read more

The Krupp Trial (or officially, The United States of America vs. Alfried Krupp, et al.)

The Krupp Trial (or officially, The United States of America vs. Alfried Krupp, et al.) was the tenth of twelve trials for war crimes that U.S.... Read more

"On The Town" Is Released

On the Town is a 1949 movie musical with music by Leonard Bernstein and Roger Edens and book and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. It is an... Read more

John Lattner Wins Heisman Trophy

Lattner scored 20 touchdowns and 120 points for the Irish. He gained 3,095 yards rushing, catching passes, returning punts and kickoffs and... Read more

Howard Cassady Wins Heisman Trophy

"Hop along" was one of Ohio State's best ever, scoring 37 touchdowns in 36 games for 222 points. He gained 2,466 yards rushing for an average of... Read more

Joseph Bellino Wins Heisman Trophy

Joe Bellino, at 5'9" and 181 pounds, in Navy's 1960 season (9-1), gained 834 yards, over half his team's total of 1,650 yards. He competed five of... Read more

Pan Am's Clipper Tradewind Crashes

Flight 214 was in a holding pattern awaiting an insturment approach to the Philadelphia International Airport when it was struck by lightning.... Read more