Boy Scout Day
National Boy Scout Day is observed annually on February 8th in the United States. It commemorates the founding of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) on February 8, 1910, by William D. Boyce, a Chicago publisher inspired by the Scouting movement in England, founded by Robert Baden-Powell.
Opera Day
Opera Day is celebrated on February 8th each year as a tribute to the rich and dramatic art form of opera. It’s a day to appreciate the powerful blend of music, theater, and storytelling that has captivated audiences for centuries.
February 8th has been a significant date in history, with notable events across politics, science, culture, and more.
Historical Events
1587 – Mary, Queen of Scots, is executed
Mary Stuart, the former queen of Scotland, was executed at Fotheringhay Castle in England after being accused of plotting against Queen Elizabeth I.
1693 – College of William & Mary is founded
The second-oldest college in the U.S. (after Harvard) was established in Williamsburg, Virginia.
1828 – Jules Verne is born
The French author, known for Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and Around the World in Eighty Days, was a pioneer of science fiction.
1910 – Boy Scouts of America is founded
Inspired by the Scouting movement in England, William D. Boyce officially established the BSA in the United States.
1924 – First execution by gas chamber in the U.S.
Gee Jon, a Chinese gang member, was executed in Nevada using lethal gas, marking a controversial moment in capital punishment history.
1943 – Battle of Guadalcanal ends
A major World War II battle in the Pacific concluded with an Allied victory, marking a turning point against Japan.
1963 – Travel, financial transactions, and trade between the U.S. and Cuba are banned
The U.S. government imposed an embargo on Cuba following Fidel Castro’s alignment with the Soviet Union.
1971 – NASDAQ stock exchange is founded
The National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ) was launched as the world’s first electronic stock market.
1994 – Nelson Mandela becomes the first Black president of South Africa’s ANC
After decades of fighting apartheid, Mandela officially led the African National Congress (ANC) into a new democratic era.
Notable Birthdays
Jules Verne (1828) – French author, a pioneer of sci-fi literature.
William Tecumseh Sherman (1820) – American Civil War general.
James Dean (1931) – Iconic American actor, known for Rebel Without a Cause.
John Williams (1932) – Legendary composer behind Star Wars, Jaws, Harry Potter, and more.
Notable Deaths
1587 – Mary, Queen of Scots (b. 1542)
Executed at Fotheringhay Castle for her alleged role in a plot to assassinate Queen Elizabeth I.
1725 – Peter the Great (b. 1672)
Russian emperor who modernized Russia and expanded its territory.
1828 – Francisco Goya (b. 1746)
Spanish painter and printmaker, known for works like The Third of May 1808.
1932 – William “Billy” Burke (b. 1864)
American evangelist, co-founder of the Aimee Semple McPherson evangelistic movement.
1957 – John von Neumann (b. 1903)
Hungarian-American mathematician and physicist, a key figure in computing and game theory.
1990 – Del Shannon (b. 1934)
American rock and roll singer-songwriter, famous for Runaway.
2007 – Anna Nicole Smith (b. 1967)
American model, actress, and TV personality, known for her ties to Playboy and legal battles over her late husband’s fortune.
2016 – Margaret Forster (b. 1938)
British author and biographer, known for Georgy Girl.
2019 – Albert Finney (b. 1936)
British actor, famous for roles in Tom Jones, Annie, and Skyfall.
