Space Shuttle Atlantis launched on the final mission of NASA's Space Shuttle program
MajorMission STS-135 marked the end of an era that began in 1981, completing 135 missions over 30 years. The shuttle delivered supplies to the Internationa...
July 8 in History
Significant events that happened on this day.
Historical Events
2011
2003
A man in Romania was legally married to a tree in an environmental protest ceremony
Environmental activist Richard Torres 'married' a 100-year-old tree in a park to protest deforestation and promote tree conservation. A local mayor of...
1982
A man in Oregon survived being impaled through the skull by a 13-inch survival knife in a freak accident
Michael Hill was working on a treehouse when he fell and landed face-first on his hunting knife, which penetrated through his eye socket and into his...
1961
A Soviet K-19 nuclear submarine suffered a catastrophic coolant leak, exposing the crew to lethal radiation
MajorThe submarine's nuclear reactor cooling system failed in the North Atlantic, threatening a reactor meltdown and potential nuclear explosion. Eight cre...
1958
The recording of 'Purple People Eater' by Sheb Wooley reached number one on the Billboard charts
This novelty song about a strange creature that eats purple people became a massive hit, staying at number one for six weeks. The song's success spawn...
1907
Florenz Ziegfeld staged his first 'Follies' on a New York rooftop, launching the most famous theatrical revue in American history
The Ziegfeld Follies became legendary for elaborate costumes, beautiful showgirls, and top entertainers, running annually until 1931. The show helped...
1889
The first issue of The Wall Street Journal was published
Founded by Charles Dow, Edward Jones, and Charles Bergstresser, the newspaper began as a four-page afternoon publication focused on financial news. It...
1835
The Liberty Bell cracked while ringing in honor of Chief Justice John Marshall's birthday
The iconic bell, already damaged from years of use, suffered its fatal crack while tolling to commemorate Marshall's death. The exact circumstances re...
1776
The Liberty Bell rang out from the tower of Independence Hall to summon citizens for the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence
MajorJust four days after the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration, it was read aloud to a crowd gathered in Philadelphia. The bell, which would la...
1663
King Charles II of England granted a charter to Rhode Island, guaranteeing complete religious freedom
This royal charter was remarkably progressive for its time, explicitly protecting 'liberty of conscience' for all residents. Rhode Island became the f...
1621
Jean de La Fontaine, the French fabulist famous for his animal tales, was born
La Fontaine would become one of the most widely read French poets of the 17th century, known for his Fables that featured talking animals teaching mor...
1497
Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama departed from Lisbon on his historic voyage to India
MajorDa Gama commanded four ships on this expedition seeking a sea route to India by sailing around Africa's Cape of Good Hope. His successful journey, com...
