Births on December 8

William C. Durant

Born on December 8, 1861

William C. Durant, American businessman, founded General Motors and Chevrolet (d. 1947)

William Crapo Durant (December 8, 1861 – March 18, 1947) was a leading pioneer of the United States automobile industry. He created a system in which a company held multiple marques – each seemingly independent, with different automobile lines – bound under a unified corporate holding company. Durant, along with Frederic L. Smith, co-founded General Motors, as well as Chevrolet with Louis Chevrolet. He also founded Frigidaire.

References

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Events on 1861

19 Jan

Georgia (U.S. state)
American Civil War: Georgia joins South Carolina, Florida, Mississippi, and Alabama in declaring secession from the United States.
21 Jan

Jefferson Davis
American Civil War: Jefferson Davis resigns from the United States Senate.
20 Apr

Robert E. Lee
American Civil War: Robert E. Lee resigns his commission in the United States Army in order to command the forces of the state of Virginia.
8 May

Richmond, Virginia
American Civil War: Richmond, Virginia is named the capital of the Confederate States of America.
6 Sep

Ulysses S. Grant
American Civil War: Forces under Union General Ulysses S. Grant bloodlessly capture Paducah, Kentucky, giving the Union control of the Tennessee River's mouth.

Births on December 8

William C. Durant

Born on December 8, 1861

References

Choose Another Date

Events on 1861

Georgia (U.S. state)

Jefferson Davis

Robert E. Lee

Richmond, Virginia

Ulysses S. Grant