July 8 is the 189th day of the year, 190th in leap years, in the Gregorian calendar. On this day, there are 176 days remaining until the end of the year. If an individual is born on this day, he or she is a Cancer under the Zodiac sign. http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/july/8/
A Day Haunted with Tragedy
This day has been plagued by tragedy throughout history. Starting in 1971, British troops shot and killed two men in Londonberry, North Ireland during a protest riot. However, one of the most tragic events that occurred on this day was in 1996. At an infant school in Wolverhampton, England, three children and four adults were attacked by a man with a machete. http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/july/8/newsid_2496000/2496685.stm The man who committed the heinous acts, Horrett Irving Campbell, was found guilty and sent to a mental hospital for an indefinite period of time. He was diagnosed with severe schizophrenia.
Conjoined Twins Die in Surgery
Later, in 2003, conjoined Iranian twins underwent a major surgery to separate, but tragically died during the operation. Laleh and Ladan Bijani were joined at the head. They were told they had only a 50% survival rate if they went ahead with volunteer surgery. The surgery lasted 3 days and during the operation it became clear the brains of each woman were fused together. After 53 hours of surgery, the two women were separated. Only a half an hour later, Ladan’s circulation began to fail despite the collective efforts of a team of 128. She died. The surgery continued for Laleh but her circulation began to drop as well. After 90 minutes, she died as well. http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/july/8/newsid_3757000/3757139.stm
This page features some of the other notable happenings, events, and stories from July 8 past, present, and even future.
AP Today in History
This video, entitled “Today in History”, illustrates the monumental events that occurred on July 8. The video starts with July 8 1853 when an American expedition, led by Commodore Matthew Perry, arrives in what is now Tokyo Bay, Japan. It was the first step to a U.S. mission that establishes diplomatic and trade relations with Japan.
The 2000s
- 2004: John Rigas founder of Adelphia was convicted for deceiving investors.
The 1990s
- 1997: Heavy rains in the Carpathian Mountains cause major flooding in Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic killing over a hundred.
The 1800s
- 1889: The Wall Street Journal was first published.
July 8 Moment of Zen
Famous Birthdays
- 1998: Jaden Smith - The Pursuit of Happyness
- 1970: Beck - Musician
- 1958: Kevin Bacon - A Few Good Men
- 1944: Jeffrey Tambor - Arrested Development
- 1839: John D. Rockefeller - Philanthropist
Famous Deaths
- 2006: June Allyson - Too Young to Kiss
- 1994: Kim Il-sung - North Korea Leader
Movie Box Office Hits
Music Chart Toppers
References
Fast Facts
-
Fact:
-
Fact:
-
Fact:
-
Fact:
-
Fact:
-
Fact:
-
Fact:
-
Fact:
-
Fact:
-
Fact:
