Europa
- Viking Raid on Lindisfarne (793)
On June 8, 793, Vikings raided the abbey at Lindisfarne in Northumbria, England. This attack is widely recognized as the beginning of the Viking Age and marked the start of extensive Scandinavian invasions and settlements in England and other parts of Europe. - Death of Harthacnut, King of England and Denmark (1042)
On June 8, 1042, Harthacnut, who ruled both England and Denmark, died. He was succeeded in England by his adopted heir, Edward the Confessor, and in Denmark by Magnus, King of Norway. - Michelangelo’s David Installed in Florence (1504)
Michelangelo’s iconic statue of David was believed to have been installed in the cathedral of Florence on June 8, 1504. The statue is a prime example of Renaissance art and represents the ideal of perfect humanity. - Premiere of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana (1937)
The famous cantata Carmina Burana by German composer Carl Orff premiered on June 8, 1937. Its opening movement, “O Fortuna,” remains one of the most recognizable pieces in classical music and popular culture. - World War II: German Offensive in France (1940)
On June 8, 1940, during World War II, the German 5th and 7th Panzer Divisions crossed the Seine River as part of the broader German offensive against France. This was a critical phase in the rapid German advance that led to the fall of France.
America
- Tennessee Secedes from the Union (1861)
On June 8, 1861, during the American Civil War, Tennessee became the last state to secede from the Union, joining the Confederacy. - Battle of Cross Keys, Virginia (1862)
On June 8, 1862, Confederate forces under General Stonewall Jackson won the Battle of Cross Keys, helping prevent Union reinforcements from reaching General McClellan’s Peninsula Campaign. - Antiquities Act Signed (1906)
President Theodore Roosevelt signed the Antiquities Act into law on June 8, 1906. This landmark legislation authorized the president to designate national monuments and protect significant natural, cultural, or scientific features on public lands. - Beecher, Michigan Tornado (1953)
On June 8, 1953, an F5 tornado struck Beecher, Michigan, killing 116 people, injuring 844, and destroying 340 homes, making it one of the deadliest tornadoes in U.S. history. - Supreme Court Ruling on Restaurant Segregation (1953)
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in District of Columbia v. John R. Thompson Co. that restaurants in Washington, D.C. could not refuse service to Black patrons, a significant civil rights milestone. - USS Liberty Incident (1967)
On June 8, 1967, during the Six-Day War, the U.S. Navy ship USS Liberty was attacked by Israeli forces, resulting in 34 deaths and 171 wounded. - Death of Apache Leader Cochise (1874)
Apache leader Cochise died on June 8, 1874, on the Chiricahua Reservation in Arizona after years of conflict and negotiation with the U.S. government. - Recent Event: Trump Indictment (2023)
On June 8, 2023, former U.S. President Donald Trump was indicted on federal charges related to the alleged mishandling of classified documents.
Asia
- Death of Prophet Muhammad (632)
On June 8, 632, Prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam, died in Medina. This event is one of the most significant in world and Asian history, marking the end of his prophethood and the beginning of the Rashidun Caliphate. - Death of the Hongzhi Emperor (1505)
The Hongzhi Emperor of China, known for his effective and peaceful rule during the Ming dynasty, died on June 8, 1505. - Birth of Emperor Xizong of Tang (862)
Emperor Xizong of the Tang dynasty, who would later face major rebellions and turmoil during his reign, was born on June 8, 862. - Indian State Broadcasting Service Renamed All India Radio (1936)
On June 8, 1936, the Indian State Broadcasting Service was renamed All India Radio (AIR), which became a major institution in Indian media and culture. - Air India’s First International Flight (1948)
Air India’s first international flight, the “Malabar Princess,” took off from Bombay to London via Cairo and Geneva on June 8, 1948, marking a milestone in Indian civil aviation. - India and Nepal Restore Normal Ties (1990)
On June 8, 1990, India and Nepal agreed to restore normal diplomatic relations after a period of tension. - Bomb Blasts in Indian Churches (2000)
On June 8, 2000, bomb blasts targeted churches in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Goa.
Africa
- Death of Omar Bongo (2009)
On June 8, 2009, Omar Bongo, the long-serving President of Gabon, died. Bongo was one of Africa’s longest-ruling leaders, having governed Gabon for over 40 years. - Mass Strike in South Africa (1980)
On June 8, 1980, more than one million Black South African workers participated in a massive strike, following a call by the country’s two largest trade unions, the Congress of South African Trade Unions. This event was a significant moment in the anti-apartheid labor movement, reflecting the growing power and unity of Black workers against the apartheid regime. - The early 19th century saw the rise of powerful African leaders such as Shaka Zulu, who established a centralized Zulu kingdom and transformed military tactics in Southern Africa.
- The Mfecane (Difaqane) period, marked by widespread warfare and migration in Southern Africa, began in the early 1800s, reshaping the region’s demographic and political landscape.
- In the 19th century, European colonial expansion continued, with key events such as the British conquest of the Cape Colony and the founding of the Union of South Africa in 1910.
This day in history: 8 june