December 8 in History

Historical Events on December 8

1907 King Gustaf V of Sweden accedes to the Swedish throne.

1922 Northern Ireland ceases to be part of the Irish Free State.

1927 The Brookings Institution, one of the United States' oldest think tanks, is founded through the merger of three organizations that had been created by philanthropist Robert S. Brookings.

1953 U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower delivers his "Atoms for Peace" speech, which leads to an American program to supply equipment and information on nuclear power to schools, hospitals, and research institutions around the world.

1955 The Flag of Europe is adopted by Council of Europe.

1963 Pan Am Flight 214, a Boeing 707, is struck by lightning and crashes near Elkton, Maryland, killing all 81 people on board.

1972 United Airlines Flight 553, a Boeing 737, crashes after aborting its landing attempt at Chicago Midway International Airport, killing 45. This is the first-ever loss of a Boeing 737.

1985 South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, the regional intergovernmental organization and geopolitical union in South Asia is established.

1987 The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty is signed.

All Events

Famous Birthdays on December 8

1975 Kevin Harvick

1981 Philip Rivers

1982 Nicki Minaj

1986 Amir Khan (boxer)

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Famous Deaths on December 8

1722 Elizabeth Charlotte, Princess Palatine

1903 Herbert Spencer

1980 John Lennon

2016 John Glenn

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