August 8 - This Day in History

August 8: General Interest
1974: Nixon resigns

In an evening televised address, President Richard M. Nixon announces his intention to become the first president in American history to resign. With impeachment proceedings underway against him for his involvement in the Watergate affair, Nixon was finally bowing to pressure from the public and Congress to leave the White House... read more


American Revolution
1775 : Morgan and Virginians arrive in Cambridge
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/morgan-and-virginians-arrive-in-cambridge


Automotive
1963 : Land Rovers used in famous Great Train Robbery
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/land-rovers-used-in-famous-great-train-robbery


Civil War
1863 : Lee offers resignation
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/lee-offers-resignation


Cold War
1945 : Truman signs United Nations Charter
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/truman-signs-united-nations-charter


Disaster
1956 : Fire traps 262 miners
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/fire-traps-262-miners


General Interest
1879 : Emiliano Zapata born
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/emiliano-zapata-born

1942 : German saboteurs executed in Washington
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/german-saboteurs-executed-in-washington


Hollywood
1986 : Spike Lee's first feature, She's Gotta Have It, premieres
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/spike-lees-first-feature-shes-gotta-have-it-premieres


Literary
1818 : Keats returns from walking tour
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/keats-returns-from-walking-tour


Music
1988 : Gangsta rap hits the mainstream with the release of N.W.A's Straight Outta Compton
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/gangsta-rap-hits-the-mainstream-with-the-release-of-nwas-straight-outta-compton


Old West
1839 : General Nelson Miles is born
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/general-nelson-miles-is-born


Presidential
1974 : Nixon resigns
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/nixon-resigns-presidency


Sports
1988 : Lights go on at Wrigley
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/lights-go-on-at-wrigley


Vietnam War
1968 : Nixon and Agnew receive the Republican Party nomination
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/nixon-and-agnew-receive-the-republican-party-nomination

1973 : Vice President Agnew under attack
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/vice-president-agnew-under-attack

1974 : Nixon announces that he will resign the Presidency
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/nixon-announces-that-he-will-resign-the-presidency


World War I
1918 : Battle of Amiens
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/battle-of-amiens


World War II
1945 : Soviets declare war on Japan; invade Manchuria
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/soviets-declare-war-on-japan-invade-manchuria