On This Day in History – October 8

Major Events

• 1871 – The Great Chicago Fire began, killing hundreds and destroying thousands of buildings.
• 1871 – The Peshtigo Fire in Wisconsin killed over 1,200 people, the deadliest fire in U.S. history.
• 1912 – First Balkan War began when Montenegro declared war on the Ottoman Empire.
• 1918 – U.S. Corporal Alvin C. York performed heroic actions in France during World War I, later earning the Medal of Honor.
• 1956 – Don Larsen pitched the only perfect game in World Series history.
• 1967 – Che Guevara was captured in Bolivia.
• 2001 – President George W. Bush announced the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security.

Famous Birthdays

• Juan Perón (1895–1974) – Argentine military officer and president.
• César Luis Menotti (born 1938) – Argentine football coach.
• Paul Hogan (born 1939) – Australian actor, best known for Crocodile Dundee.
• Chevy Chase (born 1943) – American comedian and actor.
• Sigourney Weaver (born 1949) – American actress, known for Alien.
• Matt Damon (born 1970) – American actor and screenwriter.
• Bruno Mars (born 1985) – American singer and songwriter.

Notable Deaths

• Franklin Pierce (1804–1869) – 14th President of the United States.
• Clement Attlee (1883–1967) – British prime minister.
• Che Guevara (1928–1967) – Argentine revolutionary.
• Willy Brandt (1913–1992) – German chancellor and Nobel laureate.
• Maurice Chevalier (1888–1972) – French actor and singer.

Holidays

• Independence Day (Croatia) – Commemorates independence from Yugoslavia in 1991.
• Navy Day (Peru) – Celebrates the Battle of Angamos.

Fun Facts

• Two of the deadliest fires in U.S. history both started on this day in 1871.
• Don Larsen’s perfect game remains unique in World Series history.
• Che Guevara was captured and executed in Bolivia on October 8–9, 1967.