08 April History
- 1789 - The U.S. House of Representatives holds its first meeting.
- 1832 - Some 300 American troops of the 6th Infantry leave Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, to confront the Sauk Indians in what would become known as the Black Hawk War.
- 1864 - In the Battle of Mansfield, Louisiana, Federals are routed by Confederate Gen. Richard Taylor.
- 1865 - General Robert E. Lee's retreat is cut off near Appomattox Court House.
- 1898 - British General Horatio Kitchner defeats the Khalifa, leader of the dervishes in Sudan, at the Battle of Atbara.
- 1913 - The 17th Amendment is ratified, requiring direct election of senators.
- 1935 - The Works Progress Administration (WPA) is approved by Congress.
- 1939 - Italy invades Albania.
- 1942 - The Soviets open a rail link to the besieged city of Leningrad.
- 1952 - President Truman orders the seizure of U.S. steel mills to prevent a strike.
- 1962 - Bay of Pigs invaders get thirty years imprisonment in Cuba.
- 1974 - Hank Aaron hits his 715th home run, breaking Babe Ruth's record.
- 1975 - Frank Robinson of the Cleveland Indians becomes first black manager of a major league baseball team.
08 April Birthdays
- 563 BC - Gautama Buddha, founder of Buddhism.
- 1605 - Philip IV, king of Spain and Portugal (1621-65).
- 1726 - Lewis Morris, signer of the Declaration of Independence.
- 1893 - Mary Pickford (Gladys Smith), early film actress.
- 1893 - Edgar "Yip" Harburg, lyricist ("Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?," "Over the Rainbow").
- 1920 - Carmen McRae, jazz vocalist and pianist.
- 1921 - Betty Bloomer Ford, first lady to President Gerald Ford.
- 1955 - Barbara Kingsolver, novelist (The Bean Trees, Animal Dreams).