Europa
- Wilhelm Röntgen Discovers X-rays (1895)
On November 8, 1895, German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen discovered X-rays while experimenting with electricity. This breakthrough revolutionized medical diagnostics and earned Röntgen the first Nobel Prize in Physics. - Beer Hall Putsch in Munich (1923)
On this day in 1923, Adolf Hitler led the Nazi Party in the Beer Hall Putsch, an attempted coup in Munich, Germany. The coup failed, resulting in Hitler’s arrest, but it marked a significant moment in the rise of the Nazi movement. - Assassination Attempt on Hitler (1939)
Sixteen years after the Beer Hall Putsch, Adolf Hitler narrowly escaped an assassination attempt by Georg Elser in Munich while commemorating the failed coup. - Battle of Elaia–Kalamas, Greco-Italian War (1940)
During World War II, on November 8, 1940, Greek forces successfully repelled the Italian invasion at the Battle of Elaia–Kalamas, marking a key victory in the Greco-Italian War. - French Resistance Coup in Algiers (1942)
The French Resistance staged a coup in Algiers, arresting Vichy generals and paving the way for the success of Operation Torch, the Allied landings in North Africa. - German Revolution and End of the German Empire (1918)
On November 8, 1918, as World War I neared its end, pressure mounted on Kaiser Wilhelm II to abdicate. The People’s State of Bavaria was established, and the German monarchy teetered on collapse. That same day, German armistice delegates met Marshal Foch to receive the Allies’ terms, a key step toward the armistice that would end the war. - Gospel Riots in Athens (1901): Violent clashes erupted in Athens following the translation of the Gospels into demotic (vernacular) Greek.
- Venlo Incident (1939): Two British agents were captured by German forces in the Netherlands, an event that influenced British intelligence operations during World War II.
- Opening of “Der ewige Jude” Exhibition in Munich (1937): The notorious Nazi anti-Semitic propaganda exhibition opened in Munich.
America
- Montana Becomes a State (1889)
On November 8, 1889, Montana was admitted as the 41st state of the United States, expanding the country’s territory in the West. - The Trent Affair (1861)
During the American Civil War, the USS San Jacinto intercepted the British mail ship Trent and arrested two Confederate envoys, sparking a major diplomatic incident between the United States and the United Kingdom. - New Orleans General Strike (1892)
Black and white trade unionists in New Orleans united in a successful four-day general strike, marking a significant moment in American labor history. - HBO Launches (1972)
Home Box Office (HBO), the first premium cable television channel in the United States, launched on November 8, 1972, changing the landscape of American television. - Presidential Elections
John F. Kennedy was elected as the youngest U.S. president in history on November 8, 1960. - George H. W. Bush was elected as the 41st president of the United States on November 8, 1988.
The 1994 U.S. midterm elections saw the Republican Party gain historic majorities in both houses of Congress, ending four decades of Democratic control. - Operation Torch (1942)
The Allied landings in North Africa, known as Operation Torch, began on November 8, 1942, under the command of General Dwight D. Eisenhower. - The Civil Works Administration, a New Deal program, was unveiled by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933 to provide jobs for millions of unemployed Americans.
- The world’s first “Internet murder” occurred in Michigan in 1999, when Bruce Miller was killed in a case involving online conspiracy.
Asia
- Super Typhoon Haiyan Strikes the Philippines (2013)
On November 8, 2013, Super Typhoon Haiyan (locally known as Yolanda) made landfall in the Philippines. It is considered the country’s worst natural disaster, with devastating winds and storm surges that claimed over 6,000 lives and caused widespread destruction, particularly in the Eastern Visayas region. - Battle of Shanghai Nears Its End (1937)
The Battle of Shanghai, one of the largest and bloodiest battles of the Second Sino-Japanese War, lasted from August 13 to November 26, 1937. By November 8, the conflict was in its final stage, with Japanese forces advancing and Chinese troops retreating after months of fierce urban combat. The battle resulted in the Japanese capture of Shanghai and significant casualties on both sides. - Coup in Thailand (1971)
On November 8, 1971, Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn led a coup in Thailand, dissolving the constitution and establishing a military government. This event marked a significant shift in Thai political history, reinforcing military dominance in the country’s governance. - Deadly Earthquake in China (1988)
On November 8, 1988, a powerful earthquake struck China, resulting in the deaths of approximately 900 people. - China’s Chang’e-2 Lunar Mission (2010)
On November 8, 2010, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao released images of the moon’s Sinus Iridum (Bay of Rainbows) taken by China’s Chang’e-2 lunar probe, highlighting the country’s advancements in space exploration. - Severe Smog Forces School Closures in Delhi, India (2017)
On November 8, 2017, all schools and colleges in Delhi, India, were closed for a week due to hazardous levels of air pollution, underscoring the region’s ongoing environmental challenges.
Africa
- Allied Landings in North Africa: Operation Torch (1942)
On November 8, 1942, Allied forces under General Dwight D. Eisenhower launched Operation Torch, a massive amphibious invasion of French North Africa during World War II. Landings occurred at Casablanca (Morocco), Oran, and Algiers (Algeria), involving about 110,000 troops, most of them Americans. This operation marked a turning point in the North African campaign and had significant geopolitical implications for the continent. - Mutiny in Table Bay, South Africa (1797)
On this day in 1797, a mutiny broke out among Royal Navy sailors anchored in Table Bay (Cape Town, South Africa) over low pay and poor conditions. Officers were lured aboard one vessel and taken hostage, highlighting unrest within the British naval forces stationed at the Cape. - South Sudan: Grandparents Day
November 8 is celebrated as Grandparents Day in South Sudan, a day dedicated to honoring the role of grandparents in society, sharing stories, and passing on wisdom and blessings to younger generations.
This day in history: 8 november