February 8 - This day in History

February 8: General Interest
1943: Americans secure Guadalcanal

On this day in 1943, Japanese troops evacuate Guadalcanal, leaving the island in Allied possession after a prolonged campaign. The American victory paved the way for other Allied wins in the Solomon Islands... read more


American Revolution
1777 : Former POW Timothy Bigelow is named colonel
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/former-pow-timothy-bigelow-is-named-colonel


Automotive
1985 : Jaguar founder dies
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/jaguar-founder-dies


Civil War
1862 : Yankees capture Roanoke Island
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/battle-of-roanoke-island


Cold War
1949 : Cardinal Mindszenty of Hungary sentenced
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/cardinal-mindszenty-of-hungary-sentenced


Crime
1983 : Irish race horse stolen
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/irish-race-horse-stolen


Disaster
1978 : New England digs out after blizzard
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/new-england-digs-out-after-blizzard


General Interest
1587 : Mary Queen of Scots beheaded
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/mary-queen-of-scots-beheaded

1725 : Peter the Great dies
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/peter-the-great-dies

1904 : The Russo-Japanese War begins
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-russo-japanese-war-begins

1915 : Birth of a Nation opens
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/birth-of-a-nation-opens

1924 : First execution by lethal gas
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-execution-by-lethal-gas


Hollywood
1994 : Jack Nicholson smashes windshield in episode of road rage
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/jack-nicholson-smashes-windshield-in-episode-of-road-rage


Literary
1955 : John Grisham, author of legal thrillers, is born
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/john-grisham-author-of-legal-thrillers-is-born


Music
1990 : Del Shannon dies of a self-inflicted gunshot wound
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/del-shannon-dies-of-a-self-inflicted-gunshot-wound


Old West
1887 : Cleveland signs the Dawes Severalty Act
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/cleveland-signs-the-dawes-severalty-act


Presidential
1887 : Cleveland signs devastating Dawes Act into law
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/cleveland-signs-devastating-dawes-act-into-law


Sports
1986 : Spud Webb wins dunk contest
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/spud-webb-wins-dunk-contest


Vietnam War
1962 : MACV established
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/macv-established

1971 : Operation Lam Son 719 begins
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/operation-lam-son-719-begins


World War I
1918 : U.S. Army resumes publication of Stars and Stripes
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/us-army-resumes-publication-of-stars-and-stripes


World War II
1943 : Britain's Indian Brigade begins guerrilla operations in Burma
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/britains-indian-brigade-begins-guerrilla-operations-in-burma