Osun Defender History Corner: December 8 In Focus

Today, on the history corner, we take a trip in the realm of flashback and recall some events that marked this day.

December 8, 1660

The first Shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate, Tokugawa Ieyasu, died in Japan.

December 8, 1813

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 premiered in Vienna.

December 8, 1934

The Hoover Dam was officially dedicated on this day.

December 8, 1937

The Japanese attack on the Chinese city of Nanking began during the Second Sino-Japanese War.

December 8, 1941

The United States entered World War II after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

December 8, 1941

The Battle of Hong Kong began on December 8, 1941, during World War II.

December 8, 1949

The Chinese Nationalist government moved its capital to Taipei.

December 8, 1949

The United Nations established the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) on this day.

December 8, 1966

The Greek ship MV Heraklion sank in the Aegean Sea, resulting in the loss of over 200 lives.

December 8, 1974

The Spanish dictator Francisco Franco died, ending nearly 40 years of his rule.

December 8, 1980

Former Beatle John Lennon was shot and killed outside his apartment in New York City.

December 8, 1982

The first artificial heart transplant was performed on this day in 1982 by Dr. William DeVries.

December 8, 1987

The Palestinian intifada (uprising) began in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

December 8, 1987

The signing of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) between the United States and the Soviet Union occurred.

December 8, 1991

The 1991 Alma-Ata Protocol was signed, dissolving the Soviet Union and establishing the Commonwealth of Independent States.

December 8, 1993

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was signed by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

December 8, 1995

The Galileo spacecraft reached Jupiter’s moon Io.

December 8, 2003

The United Nations Convention Against Corruption was adopted.

December 8, 2004

The Cuzco Declaration was signed, marking the creation of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR).

December 8, 2010

On this day in 2010, SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft became the first commercial spacecraft to be recovered successfully from orbit.

Please note that these are just a few historical events that happened on December 8. History is full of numerous other significant events on this day, ranging from politics and warfare to cultural and scientific milestones.