This Day in History – April 8

“The history of mankind is the instant between two strides taken by a traveller”- Franz Kafka. Have you ever wondered what happened on a specific historical date? What makes one day more important and significant than another? We live in a world that is constantly evolving and filled with numerous events. From historians and authors to politicians and inventors, everyone has an opinion about why the past is significant and what history is all about. Here’s a rundown of significant events that happened on April 8 and helped to make the day memorable!

What Happened in India on April 8?

1857: The rebellion of 1857
Mangal Pandey became an inspiring figure for all Indians on April 8, 1857, when he actively participated in the great rebellion of 1857. The use of cow and pig fat to grease bullets created unrest because it was disrespectful to both Hindu and Muslim soldiers.

1929: Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt
Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt staged a demonstration against the repressive Defence of India Act, which would have given the British police vast powers. Before being arrested, the pair stood there after tossing the bombs in, screaming the slogan “Inquilaab Zindabad.”

What Happened Around the World on April 8?

217: Caracalla is assassinated
Marcus Opellius Macrinus, a Praetorian Guard prefect, assassinated Roman Emperor Caracalla.

1500: Battle at Novara
On April 8, 1500, King Louis XII defeats Duke Ludovico Sforza in the Battle of Novara.

1796: Quadratic reciprocity law
Carl Friedrich Gauss, a German mathematician, proved the quadratic reciprocity law.

1808: Roman Catholic Diocese of Baltimore got promoted to an archdiocese 
Pope Pius VII elevated the Roman Catholic Diocese of Baltimore to an archdiocese, with the creation of the dioceses of New York, Philadelphia, Boston, and Bardstown.

1820: Venus de Milo
The famous ancient Greek statue Venus de Milo was discovered on the Aegean island of Milos on April 8, 1820.

1886: Irish Home Rule Bill
William Ewart Gladstone presented the first Irish Home Rule Bill in the British House of Commons.

1908: H. H. Asquith succeeded Henry Campbell-Bannerman
H. H. Asquith succeeded Henry Campbell-Bannerman as British Prime Minister.

1941: Joe Louis defeats Tony Musto
Joe Louis defeated Tony Musto by TKO in the ninth round to retain the NYSAC heavyweight boxing championship, in his fourth title defence in nine weeks at the Arena in Saint Louis, Missouri.

1942: Pillar of Fire
The ballet “Pillar of Fire” by Arnold Schoenberg and Tudor premiered in New York City.

1943: Wage freeze in the US
In an attempt to stabilize inflation, US President Franklin D. Roosevelt froze salaries and prices, banned employees from changing jobs unless it would support the war effort, and increased the rates for common carriers and public services.

1953: Jomo Kenyatta
Jomo Kenyatta was accused of involvement with the Mau Mau uprising and sentenced to seven years in prison in Kenya on April 8, 1953.

1968: Air France robbery
The Air France robbery took place with gangsters Henry Hill and Jimmy Burke stealing $420,000.

1983: Statue of Liberty disappeared
David Copperfield vanished the Statue of Liberty in front of a live audience of 20 visitors on April 8, 1983.

2004: Condoleezza Rice testified
Condoleezza Rice, the US National Security Advisor, appeared before the 9/11 Commission.

2012: End to Syrian bloodshed
In a papal Easter letter, Pope Benedict XVI called for an end to Syrian bloodshed.

2014: Mike Babcock wins his 414th career game 
Mike Babcock won his 414th career game as head coach of the Detroit Red Wings, becoming the team’s all-time winningest coach.

2019: Protests in Sudan
Protests against Omar al-government Bashir’s in Sudan continued, with seven people killed and 2,500 detained in Khartoum.

2020: Global trade drop greater than the 2008 financial crisis
The World Trade Organization projected a global trade drop greater than the 2008 financial crisis, ranging from 13% to 32% in 2020.

Birthdays 

563: Gautama Buddha
The birth of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, is commemorated on April 8 in the year 563.

1918: Betty Ford
The first lady of the United States from 1974 to 1977, Betty Ford is also the founder of the Betty Ford Center clinic, was born in Chicago, Illinois on this day.

1947: Steve Howe
Steve Howe is an English rock guitarist who was born in London.

1979: Amit Trivedi 
Amit Trivedi is an Indian musician, lyricist, and music director. He is well-known for his versatility as a contemporary music director.

1983: Allu Arjun 
Allu Arjun is an Indian film actor who is best known for his work in Telugu films. He has won five Filmfare Awards South and three Nandi Awards for his dancing skills.

We hope that this blog has helped you become more familiar with all of the main events of March 4th. Stay tuned to Leverage Edu for more educational content like this. Join us on  Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Quora to stay updated with such interesting and intriguing reads.