On This Day in History – February 8

Major Events

• 421 – Constantius III becomes co-emperor of the Western Roman Empire, though his reign lasts only seven months.
• 1587 – Mary, Queen of Scots is executed at Fotheringhay Castle after being convicted of treason against Queen Elizabeth I.
• 1693 – The College of William & Mary in Virginia receives its royal charter, becoming the second-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States.
• 1815 – Austria, Britain, and Prussia form a defensive alliance against Napoleon Bonaparte as he escapes exile on Elba.
• 1879 – Sandford Fleming proposes a worldwide system of standard time zones, reshaping global timekeeping.
• 1910 – The Boy Scouts of America is incorporated, promoting youth development and leadership.
• 1924 – Capital punishment by gas chamber is used for the first time in the United States, in Nevada.
• 1960 – The first eight stars are added to the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
• 1971 – The NASDAQ stock market index begins operations, becoming the world’s first electronic stock market.
• 2018 – The opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics takes place in PyeongChang, South Korea.

Famous Birthdays

• Mary, Queen of Scots – Queen of Scotland (1542–1587)
• Jules Verne – French novelist and science fiction pioneer (1828–1905)
• James Dean – American actor (1931–1955)
• Nick Nolte – American actor (1941)
• Seth Green – American actor and filmmaker (1974)
• Vince Neil – American musician, lead singer of Mötley Crüe (1961)
• Jackie Earle Haley – American actor (1961)
• Abhishek Bachchan – Indian actor and producer (1976)
• Bethany Hamilton – American professional surfer (1990)

Notable Deaths

• Mary, Queen of Scots – Scottish monarch (1587, born 1542)
• John Williams – American journalist and author (1914, born 1846)
• Del Shannon – American singer-songwriter (1990, born 1934)
• Alvin Ailey – American choreographer and activist (1989, born 1931)
• Gaston Leroux – French journalist and novelist (1927, born 1868)
• Halston – American fashion designer (1990, born 1932)
• Joseph Lister – British surgeon and pioneer of antiseptic surgery (1912, born 1827)
• King Charles I of England – British monarch (1649, born 1600)
• Kobe Bryant – American basketball player (2020, born 1978)

Holidays

• Prešeren Day – Slovenia
• Propose Day – Observed in parts of South Asia
• National Kite Flying Day – India
• Parinirvana Day – Observed by some Buddhist traditions

Fun Facts

• Jules Verne accurately imagined submarines and space travel decades before they became reality.
• NASDAQ revolutionized financial markets by eliminating the traditional trading floor.
• The Hollywood Walk of Fame now features more than 2,700 stars.
• Mary, Queen of Scots’ execution marked a turning point in English royal politics.
• Standardized time zones made international travel and communication possible.
• The Boy Scouts of America has influenced millions of youths since its founding.