This day in history: 8 march

1702: Anne became the last Stuart monarch of Great Britain, ascending the throne after the Act of Settlement of 1701 designated Hanoverian descendants as her successors.
1917: In Petrograd (now St. Petersburg), International Women’s Day protests by women textile workers demanding “Bread and Peace” marked the beginning of the February Revolution, a pivotal moment in the Russian Revolution. This led to Tsar Nicholas II’s abdication and women gaining the right to vote in Russia.
1910: French aviator Raymonde de Laroche became the first woman to receive a pilot’s license, a milestone for women in aviation.

1817 – Founding of the New York Stock Exchange: On March 8, 1817, the NYSE was established at 11 Wall Street, New York City. It remains the world’s largest stock exchange.
1863 – Civil War Raid: Confederate Colonel John Mosby captured Union General E.H. Stoughton at his headquarters in Fairfax County, Virginia.
1884 – Susan B. Anthony Advocates for Women’s Suffrage: Susan B. Anthony appeared before the Judiciary Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives, urging them to pass a constitutional amendment granting women the right to vote.
1936 – First Stock Car Race: The first-ever stock car race was held in Daytona Beach, Florida, marking the beginning of organized racing in America.

1535 – Capture of Chittor Fort: Bahadur Shah of Gujarat captured the Chittor Fort, leading to the second Jauhar (self-immolation by women) and a series of battles that contributed to the overthrow of the Gujarat Sultanate.
1637 – Shivaji Captures Panhala Fort: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj defeated Afzal Khan to capture Panhala Fort, which was of strategic importance under the Bijapur Sultanate.
1930 – Civil Disobedience Movement in India: Mahatma Gandhi launched the Civil Disobedience Movement, protesting oppressive British tax laws, including the salt tax.
1948 – Establishment of Air India: JRD Tata founded Air India on March 8, marking a milestone in India’s aviation history.

1744 – Explosion at English Harbour: On March 8, 1744, a tragic explosion at English Harbour in Antigua killed eight enslaved African men. Their names—Billy, London, James Soe, Caramatee Quamono, Dick, Joe, Scipio, and Johnno—are commemorated through the “8th of March Project.” This initiative seeks to honor the lives and contributions of enslaved and free Africans who labored in the Dockyard.