Sunday, February 8, 2026 -Quote Of The Day...
* " One family builds a wall, two families enjoy it. "
On This Day In History...
In 0421- Flavius Constantine becomes emperor Constantine III of West Roman empire
In 1526- Heavy storm strikes Dutch coast, many die
In 1575- University of Leiden Netherlands opens
In 1587- Mary, Queen of Scots beheaded
In 1600- Vatican convicts scholar Giordano Bruno to death
In 1601- Earl Robert Devereux of Essex armies draws into London
In 1622- King James I disbands the English parliament
In 1672- Isaac Newton reads 1st optics paper before Royal Society in London
In 1690- French & Indian troops set Schenectady settlement New York on fire
In 1690- Lord Halifax resigns as Lord Privy Seal
In 1693- William & Mary college is 2nd college chartered in US
In 1735- 1st opera in US, "Flora", opens in Charleston SC
In 1743- Comet C/1743 C1 approaches within 0.0390 astronomical units (AUs) of Earth
In 1744- French/Spanish fleet leaves Toulon
In 1750- Minor earthquake in London
In 1775- Leidse University 400th anniversary dinner
In 1776- Wolfgang von Goethes' "Stella" premieres in Hamburg
In 1802- Simon Willard patents banjo clock
In 1807- Napoleon defeats Russians in battle of Eylau
In 1809- Franz I of Austria declares war on France
In 1837- 1st Vice President chosen by the Senate, Richard Johnson (Van Buren administration)
In 1861- Confederate States of America organizes in Montgomery AL
In 1862- Dion Boucicault's opera "The Lily of Killarney" is produced (London)
In 1862- Battle of Roanoke Island NC, Federals gain control of Pamlico Sound
In 1865- 1st black major in US army, Martin Robinson Delany
In 1883- Louis Waterman begins experiments to invent the fountain pen
In 1887- Dawes Act passed (Indians living apart from tribe granted citizenship)
In 1887- Aurora Ski Club of Red Wing MN became the 1st US ski club
In 1889- Flood ravages Dutch coast
In 1894- Enforcement Act repealed, making it easier to disenfranchise blacks
In 1895- Tchaikovsky/Petipa's "Swan Lake" premieres in Petersburg
In 1896- Georges Feydeaus' "Le Dindon" premieres in Paris
In 1896- Western Conference forms of Midwestern U, later renamed Big 10 Conference
In 1898- John Ames Sherman patents 1st envelope folding & gumming machine (Massachusetts)
In 1904- Outbreak of hostilities in Russo-Japanese war
In 1905- Cyclone hit Tahiti & adjacent islands, killing some 10,000 people
In 1908- Wilhelmina '08 soccer team forms in Weert Netherlands
In 1909- France & Germany sign treaty about Morocco
In 1910- Boy Scouts of America incorporated & chartered (William D Boyce-Chicago)
In 1911- US helps overthrow President Miguel Dávila of Honduras
In 1911- Victor Herbert's opera "Natoma" premieres in New York NY
In 1912- 1st eastbound US transcontinental flight lands in Jacksonville FL
In 1914- General Zamon becomes President of Haiti
In 1915- "Birth of a Nation" opens at Clune's Auditorium in Los Angeles CA
In 1916- French cruiser "Admiral Charner" torpedoed off Syrian coast, kills 374
In 1916- NL votes down Charlie Ebbets proposal to limit 25¢ seats
In 1918- "Stars & Stripes", weekly US armed forces newspaper, 1st published
In 1920- Swiss men vote against women's suffrage
In 1922- Radio arrives in the White House
In 1923- Coal mine explosion at Dawson NM kills 120
In 1923- German NSDAP Volkischer Beobachter newspaper becomes a daily
In 1924- 1st coast-to-coast radio hookup General John Joseph Carty speech in Chicago
In 1925- Marcus Garvey enters federal prison in Atlanta GA
In 1925- Kaufman & Berlin's "Coconuts" premieres in New York NY
In 1926- Sean O'Casey's "The Plough & the Stars" opens at Abbey Theatre Dublin
In 1926- Walt Disney Studios is formed
In 1926- German Reichstag decides to apply for League of Nations membership
In 1927- Belgian-Swiss treaty signed
In 1928- 1st transatlantic TV image received, Hartsdale NY
In 1928- Scottish inventor J Blaird demonstrates color-TV
In 1929- KOY-AM in Phoenix AZ begins radio transmissions
In 1930- "Happy Days Are Here Again" by Benny Mereoff hits #1
In 1931- Gas explosion Fire in Fushun-coal mine, Manchuria kills 3,000
In 1933- -23ºF (-31ºC), Seminole TX (state record)
In 1933- 1st flight of all-metal Boeing 247
In 1934- Export-Import Bank organizes in Washington DC
In 1934- Gaston Doumergue forms new French government
In 1935- 1st NFL draft; Jay Berwanger of University of Chicago is 1st pick (by Eagles); He never plays in the NFL
In 1936- 1st ski jumping tournament, Red Wing MN
In 1936- 1st successful Toronto Maple Leaf penalty shot, Conacher vs Rangers
In 1936- Pandit Jawaharlal follows Gandhi as chairman of India Congress Party
In 1937- Maxwell Anderson's "Masque of Kings" premieres in New York NY
In 1940- Lewis & Hamilton's musical "Two for the Show" premieres in New York NY
In 1940- Lodtz, 1st large ghetto established by Nazis in Poland
In 1941- Japanese armored barges cross Strait of Johore to attack Singapore
In 1941- NSB'er Max Blokzijl begins Nazi propaganda on Dutch radio
In 1942- Congress advises FDR that, Americans of Japanese descent should be locked up en masse so they wouldn't oppose the US war effort
In 1942- Stravinsky's "Danses Concertantes" premieres in Los Angeles
In 1943- Red Army recaptures Kursk
In 1944- 1st black reporter accredited to the White House, Harry McAlpin
In 1944- U-762 sunk off Ireland
In 1945- Allied air attack on Goch/Kleef/Kalkar/Reichswald
In 1946- Béla Bartòks 3rd Concert for piano/orchestra premieres in Philadelphia PA
In 1946- Premier Salazar of Portugal forbids opposition parties
In 1947- Jan van der Hoorn wins 8th Dutch 11-cities skating race (10:51)
In 1947- KSD (now KSDK) TV channel 5 in St Louis MO (NBC) begins broadcasting
In 1948- 5th Winter Olympics games close at St Moritz, Switzerland
In 1949- Hungarian Cardinal Mindszenty sentenced to life in prison
In 1952- "RCA Victor Show Starring Dennis Day" debuts on NBC TV
In 1953- Betty Jameson wins LPGA Serbin Golf Open
In 1953- WLVA (now WSET) TV channel 13 in Lynchburg-Roanoke VA (ABC) begins
In 1955- Malenkov resigns as USSR premier, Bulganin replaces him
In 1956- Mine disaster in Quaregnon Belgium, 8 die
In 1957- San Francisco Public Library's bookmobile initiated in front of City Hall
In 1958- Edgar Whitehead succeeds Garfield Todd as premier of South Rhodesia
In 1958- French planes bomb Sakiet Tunisia, 75 die
In 1958- KIRO TV channel 7 in Seattle WA (CBS) begins broadcasting
In 1960- Boston Celtic Bill Russell becomes 1st NBAer with 50 rebounds (51)
In 1960- Congress opens hearings looking into payola
In 1962- KACB TV channel 3 in San Angelo TX (NBC) begins broadcasting
In 1962- US performs nuclear test at Nevada Test Site
In 1963- 1st transmission of Clandestine Voice of Iraqi People (Communist)
In 1963- AFL's Dallas Texans become Kansas City Chiefs
In 1963- US performs nuclear test at Nevada Test Site
In 1964- Peter Shaffer's "Royal Hunt of the Sun" premieres in London
In 1964- Representative Martha Griffiths address gets civil rights protection for women being added to the 1964 Civil Rights Act
In 1965- Eastern DC-7B crashes into Atlantic off Jones Beach NJ, kills 84
In 1965- Supremes release "Stop In the Name of Love"
In 1967- French Diadème D-1C satellite launches into Earth orbit
In 1967- Longest losing streak in Toronto Maple Leaf history (10 games)
In 1967- Pirate Radio UKGM (England) closes down
In 1967- Peter (Asher) & Gordon (Waller) discontinue their singing partnership
In 1967- US performs nuclear test at Nevada Test Site
In 1968- Officers kill 3 students demonstrating in South Carolina State (Orangeburg)
In 1969- Meteorite weighing over 1 ton falls in Chihuahua, México
In 1969- Last edition of Saturday Evening Post
In 1971- Pedro Morales beats Ivan Koloff in New York, to become WWF wrestling champion
In 1971- South Vietnamese troops invade Laos
In 1972- Josh Gibson & Buck Leonard selected to Hall of Fame
In 1973- Jean Kerrs "Finishing Touches" premieres in New York NY
In 1973- Mushtaq & Asif Iqbal make 350 stand for 4th wicket vs New Zealand
In 1973- Senate names 7 members to investigate Watergate scandal
In 1974- Ringo Starr releases "You're 16"
In 1974- Skylab 4's astronauts land
In 1974- Soap opera "The Secret Storm" ends a 20 year run
In 1974- "Good Times" debuts on CBS TV
In 1975- 1800 Unification church couples' wed in Korea
In 1975- Capitals only got one shot in a period against the Islanders
In 1976- Largest crowd at Cleveland Coliseum (Cavaliers vs Washington-21,130)
In 1976- Hua Guofeng becomes premier of China PR
In 1976- Jan Stephens wins LPGA Sarah Coventry Naples Golf Classic
In 1977- Earthquake in San Francisco CA, at 5.0, strongest since 1966
In 1977- Hustler publisher Larry Flynt sentenced
In 1978- Crown Prince Sad Abdallah al-Salim Al Sabah becomes PM of Kuwait
In 1979- US performs nuclear test at Nevada Test Site
In 1981- "5 O'Clock Girl" closes at Helen Hayes Theater NYC after 12 performances
In 1981- "Brigadoon" closes at Majestic Theater NYC after 133 performances
In 1981- Sally Little wins LPGA Elizabeth Arden Golf Classic
In 1981- US female Figure Skating championship won by Elaine Zayak
In 1981- US male Figure Skating championship won by Scott Hamilton
In 1982- Dodgers trade Davey Lopes to A's breaking up the longest-playing infield (Cey-Russell-Lopes-Garvey)
In 1983- Champion thoroughbred Shergar kidnapped in Ireland; never found Lloyds of London pays $10.6 million insurance
In 1983- Eric Peters sets transatlantic sailboat record (E-W)-46 days
In 1983- Wayne Gretzky sets NHL all star record of 4 goals in 1 period
In 1983- 35th NHL All-Star Game Campbell beat Wales 9-3 at New York Islander
In 1983- Baseball orders Mickey Mantle to sever ties with Claridge Casino
In 1983- Tina Howe's "Painting Churches" premieres in New York NY
In 1984- 14th Winter Olympics games opens in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia
In 1984- Soyuz T-10 launches with crew of 3 to Salyut 7
In 1984- 1st time 8 people in space
In 1984- A's take Yankees pitcher Tim Belcher as Type A free agent compensation
In 1985- Bruce Morris, Marshall University, makes a 92' 5¼" basketball shot
In 1985- 1st-class cricket debut of Jimmy Adams (age 17), Jamaica vs Barbados
In 1985- Michael Gross swims world record 800 meter freestyle (7:38.75)
In 1985- Opposition leader Kim Dae Jung returns to South-Korea
In 1986- 5' 7" Spud Webb of Atlanta Hawks wins NBA Slam Dunk Competition
In 1986- US male Figure Skating championship won by Brian Boitano
In 1987- 37th NBA All-Star Game West beats East 154-149 (OT) at Seattle
In 1987- Nancy Lopez wins LPGA Sarasota Golf Classic
In 1988- NASA launches DOD-2
In 1989- 5 cm of snow falls in outskirts of Los Angeles
In 1989- Jockey Chris Antley begins record of 64 consecutive winning days
In 1989- US Boeing 707 crashes into Santa Maria mountain, 145 die
In 1990- "60 Minutes" commentator Andy Rooney suspended by CBS for racial remarks attributed to him by a gay magazine
In 1990- David Hares "Racing Demon" premieres in London
In 1991- Roger Clemens signs record $5,380,250 per year Red Sox contract
In 1992- Ulysses spacecraft passes Jupiter
In 1992- "I'm Too Sexy" by Right Said Fred peaks at #1
In 1992- 16th Winter Olympics games open in Albertville, France
In 1993- GM sues NBC, alleging that "Dateline NBC" program had rigged 2 car-truck crashes to show that 1973-87 GM pickups were prone to fires
In 1993- Suchoi-24 crashes into Tupolev passenger flight, 134 die
In 1994- Jack Nicholson uses a golf club to attack a car
In 1994- Kapil Dev sets world record for Test Cricket wickets with 432
In 1994- Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee charge with possession of loaded firearm
In 1995- 6.4 earthquake at Trujillo, Colombia (46+ killed)
In 1996- NFL & Cleveland allows Art Modell to move his NFL franchise to Baltimore but he had to leave the Browns' name behind
In 1998- 1st female ice hockey game in Olympics history Finland beats Sweden 6-0
In 1998- 48th NBA All-Star Game East beats West 135-114 at NYC
In 1998- NHL stops season until Feb 24th to accommodate the Olympics
February 8 -Birthdays
In 412 - St Proclus patriarch of Constantinople
In 1291- Afonso IV King of Portugal (1325-57)
In 1552- Théodore-Agrippa d'Aubigné French/Swiss historian/poet (Tragiques)
In 1577- Robert Burton writer, Anglican clergyman (Anatomy of Melancholy)
In 1586- Jacob Praetorius composer
In 1612- Samuel Butler England, poet/satirist (Hudibras) (baptized)
In 1708- Vaclav Jan Kopriva composer
In 1712- L Joseph de Montcalm de Saint-Véran French General in America
In 1741- Andre-Ernest-Modeste Gretry composer
In 1764- Joseph Leopold von Eybler Austrian composer
In 1789- Ludwig Wilhelm Maurer composer
In 1795- Friedlieb F Runge German chemist (Chinoline)
In 1795- Moritz G [Moses] Saphir Hungarian journalist/serial writer
In 1807- Franciscus J van Vree Dutch Catholic foreman
In 1810- Norbert Burgmuller composer
In 1811- Edwin Denison Morgan Secretary of War (Confederacy), dies in 1883
In 1813- Jacob G Agarah Swedish algologist
In 1817- Richard Stoddert Ewell Lieutenant General (Confederate Army), dies in 1872
In 1818- Austin Blair Governor/MC (Union), died in 1894
In 1819- John Ruskin writer/critic/artist/Gothic Revivalist (Prerafaelite)
In 1820- William Tecumseh Sherman Major General (Union Army), dies in 1891 (War is hell)
In 1822- Maxime Du Camp France, writer/traveler (Les Buveurs de Cendres)
In 1824- Barnard Elliot Bee Brigadier General (Confederate Army), died in 1861
In 1828- Jules Verne France, pioneered sci-fi (From the Earth to the Moon)
In 1828- Antonio Cagnoni composer
In 1828- Antonio Cánovas del Castillo premier of Spain
In 1851- Kate O'Flaherty Chopin novelist
In 1852- Nikolai Garin [Michailovski] Russian author (Tjoma Kartashov)
In 1859- John H Been town's archivist of Brielle (Baasje & Witkop)
In 1876- Paula Modersohn-Becker German "entartet" painter
In 1878- Martin Buber German/Israeli philosopher/theologist (Ich und Du)
In 1880- Franz Marc German painter (Blaue Reiter)
In 1882- George Siegmann actor (Birth of Nation, Queen of Sheba, Oliver Twist)
In 1883- Joseph A Schumpeter Austria/US economist/minister of finance
In 1885- Dame Edith Evans London England, actress (Tom Jones, David Copperfield)
In 1886- Charlie Ruggles Los Angeles CA, actor (The Ruggles, Aesop-Bullwinkle Show)
In 1888- Matthijs Vermeulen Dutch composer/music critic
In 1890- Claro Mayo Recto Filipino nationalist/opponent of US colonialism
In 1891- Edgar Palm Curaçao, pianist/composer
In 1892- Fritz Todt German Reichs minister (Organization Todt)
In 1894- Ludwig Marcuse German philosopher
In 1895- King Vidor director (War & Peace, Stella Dallas)
In 1896- Orville Caldwell California, actor (Patsy, French Doll, Last Warning)
In 19XX- Alice Kramden fictional character of the Honeymooners
In 19XX- Louis Giambalvo Brooklyn NY, actor (Fade To Black, Robert-Oh Madeline)
In 1900- Guy Douglas Hamilton Warrack composer
In 1900- John Cameron judge
In 1901- Janina Spychajowa-Kurkowska Poland, women's world champion archer
In 1902- Lyle Talbot [Lysle Hollywood], Pittsburgh PA, actor (Glen or Glenda)
In 1903- Abdulrahman minister of Internal affairs/premier of Malaysia
In 1904- Igor' Fyodorovich Belza composer
In 1905- Truman Bradley Missouri, TV host (Science Fiction Theater)
In 1906- Chester F Carlson inventor (xerography)
In 1906- Artur Balsam Polish/US pianist (Begeleidde Menuhin, Milstein)
In 1906- Henry Roth Austria-Hungary/US writer (Call it Sleep)
In 1908- Grigor Eghiazaryan composer
In 1908- Leslie Kenneth O'Brien Lord O'Brien of Lothbury, missionary
In 1908- Myron McCormick Albany, actor (Hustler, Jolson Sings Again)
In 1909- Henry Roth writer
In 1911- Anne Aitken [nee Hopkins], Chicago IL, co-founder-Diamond Sangha
In 1911- Elizabeth Bishop US poet (North & South)/Pulitzer Prize (1956)
In 1911- Henri Knap Dutch resistance fighter/journalist/writer
In 1912- Simon Jurovsky composer
In 1913- Betty Field Boston MA, actress (Kings Row, Bus Stop)
In 1913- John Grandy British Royal Air Force-marshal
In 1914- Bert Haas baseball player
In 1914- Jules van Ackere Flemish musicologist (Eternal Music)
In 1915- Lambros Georges Guetary Worloou singer
In 1918- John Intoxication resistance fighter
In 1918- Lord Max Rayne English broker/multi-millionaire
In 1919- Buddy Morrow orchestra leader (Jimmie Rodgers Show)
In 1920- Lana Turner Wallace ID, actress (Survivors, Falcon Crest)
In 1920- Buddy Blattner baseball player
In 1921- Hoot Evers baseball player
In 1922- Joeri Averbach Russian chess grandmaster
In 1923- Andrew MacElhone bar owner
In 1924- Audrey Meadows Wu Chang China, actress (Alice-Honeymooners)
In 1924- Joe Black baseball player
In 1925- Jack Lemmon Boston MA, actor (Days of Wine & Roses, Missing)
In 1925- Raimondo d'Inzeo It, equestrian (Olympics-gold/2 silver/3 bronze-1948-76)
In 1925- Alvin Brehm composer
In 1927- John T Myers (Representative-R-IN, 1967- )
In 1927- Stanley Baker Ferndale Wales, actor (Concrete Jungle, Zorro, Zulu)
In 1927- Zdenek Zouhar composer
In 1928- Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher lawyer
In 1930- Alejandro Rey Buenos Aires, actor (Carlos-Flying Nun)
In 1930- Arlan Stangeland (Representative-R-MN, 1977- )
In 1930- Catherine Hardy Carollton GA, 4x100 meter runner (Olympics-gold-1952)
In 1930- Manuel Castillo composer
In 1931- James Dean Marion IN, stage/film actor (Giant, Rebel Without a Cause)
In 1932- Jan H Christiaanse president Dutch political party (CDA)
In 1932- John Towner Williams Flushing NY, composer/conductor (Boston Pops)
In 1933- Jack Larson Los Angeles CA, actor (Jimmy Olsen-Superman)
In 1933- Elly Ameling Rotterdam Holland, soprano (Ilya-Idomeneo)
In 1934- Elly Ameling Rotterdam Holland, soprano (Ilya-Idomeneo)
In 1934- Galina Bystrova USSR, pentathlete (1957, 58)
In 1935- Vincent Weir 3rd baron Inverforth Scottish shipping magnate
In 1936- Cletis Boyer 3rd baseman (New York Yankees)
In 1936- Larry Verne singer (Custer)
In 1936- Manohar Hardikar cricketer (batted in 2 Tests India vs West Indies 1958-59)
In 1937- Joe Raposa composer/songwriter (Sesame Street)
In 1937- Manfred Krug Duisburg Germany, actor (Boxer)
In 1938- Ray Sharpe singer
In 1939- Gerrit Lakmaaker sculptor/painter (Leidsepleingroep)
In 1940- Nick Nolte Omaha NB, actor (Under Fire, Lorenzo's Oil, Teachers, 48 Hours, North Dallas 40)
In 1940- Susan Clark Ontario, actress (Katherine-Webster)
In 1940- Ted Koppel Lancashire England, newscaster (ABC Nightline)
In 1940- Averil Cameron British historian
In 1940- Talib Rasul Hakim composer
In 1941- Tom Rush New Hampshire, rock guitarist/vocalist (Circle Game, Urge For Going)
In 1942- Robert Klein Bronx, comedian/actor (Hooper, Deadly Rivals)
In 1942- Fritz Peterson baseball pitcher (New York Yankees)
In 1942- Terry Melcher Rip Chords, Doris Day's son
In 1943- Bob Oliver baseball player
In 1943- Creed Bratton California, rock guitarist (Grass Roots-Sooner or Later)
In 1943- Jose de Almeida Prado composer
In 1944- Bunky Henry golfer
In 1944- Jim Capaldi rocker (Traffic)
In 1946- Paul Wheatbread rocker (Gary Puckett & Union Gap-Young Girl)
In 1946- "Fito" Adolpho De La Parra Los Angeles CA, rocker (Canned Heat-Hot Money)
In 1947- Sam Gannon cricketer (Australia lefty quick, 3 Tests vs India 1977-78)
In 1948- Dan Seals McCamey TX, vocalist (England Dan & John Ford Coley-I'd Really Love to See You Tonight, Nights Are Forever Without You, Meet Me in Montana)
In 1949- Brooke Adams New York NY, actress (Cynthia-OK Crackerby, Body Snatchers)
In 1949- Scott Allen USA, skater (Olympics-bronze-1964)
In 1949- Julia Barr Fort Wayne IN, actress (Brooke-All My Children)
In 1950- Jose Armando Lopez-Falcon Cuba, cosmonaut
In 1950- Michael Goodroe rock bassist (Motels-Only the Lonely)
In 1950- Ted Turner rocker (Wishbone Ash)
In 1951- Camille LaPierre NHLer
In 1952- Nancy Lord Libertarian Vice-President candidate (1992)
In 1952- Hans Van de Lubbe Dutch bassist/singer (Dike)
In 1953- Mary Steenburgen Newport AR, actress (Parenthood, Time After Time)
In 1954- "Sensational" Sherri Martel [Russell], New Orleans LA, wrestler (WWF/AWA)
In 1955- Ethan Phillips actor (Neelix-Star Trek Voyager)
In 1955- Jim "the Anvil" Neidhart wrestler (WWF/WCW/NJPW/CWFI/Calgary)
In 1955- John Grisham writer (Client, Firm, Pelican Brief)
In 1958- Barry Miller New York NY, actor (Joe & Sons, Szysznyk)
In 1959- Irina Kalinina USSR, springboard diver (Olympics-gold-1980)
In 1959- Pamela Jean Bryant Indianapolis IN, playmate (April, 1978)
In 1959- Heinz Gunthardt Switzerland, tennis star
In 1960- Dino Ciccarelli Ontario, NHL right wing (Minnesota North Stars, Washington Capitals)
In 1960- Alex Scott British horse trainer
In 1960- Linda Fratianne Los Angeles CA, figure skater (Olympics-silver-1980)
In 1961- Sammy Llanas rocker (Bodeans)
In 1961- Vince Neil [Wharton] California, rock vocalist (Mötley Crüe-Girls Girls Girls)
In 1963- Mohammad Azharuddin cricketer (elegant Indian batsman 1984-)
In 1963- Raleigh McKenzie NFL center/guard (Philadelphia Eagles, San Diego Chargers)
In 1964- Dennis Gibson NFL inside linebacker (San Diego Chargers)
In 1965- Carmen Savy Brisbane Queensland, golfer (1990 Brisbane & District)
In 1965- Jim Thornton NFL tight end (Houston Oilers)
In 1965- Lee Knight CFL full back (Hamilton Tiger Cats)
In 1965- Mathilda May Paris France, actress (Lifeforce)
In 1965- Rod Bernstine NFL running back (Denver Broncos)
In 1965- Terry McDaniel NFL cornerback (Oakland Raiders, Los Angeles Raiders)
In 1966- Gary Coleman Zion IL, actor (Arnold-Diff'rent Strokes)
In 1966- Kirk Muller Kingston, NHL center (Toronto Maple Leafs)
In 1967- Yvon Corriveau Ontario, NHL left wing (Washington Capitals)
In 1968- Joy Fawcett Inglewood CA, soccer defender (Olympics-96)
In 1968- Ron Goetz CFL linebacker (Saskatchewan Roughriders)
In 1969- Herb Hohenberger hockey defenseman (Team Austria 1998)
In 1969- Mary McCormack actress, (Murder One, Private Parts)
In 1970- Alonzo Mourning NBA center (Miami Heat, Charlotte Hornets)
In 1970- Cameron Cuffy cricketer (St Vincent & West Indies fast bowler 1994-)
In 1971- Heidi Mark Columbus OH, playmate (July 1995)
In 1972- Adrian Rollins cricketer (Derbyshire batsman, brother of Robert of Essex)
In 1972- Marcus Pollard NFL tight end (Indianapolis Colts)
In 1973- Andreas Gliatis soccer player (NEC)
In 1973- Dave Dopek Bolingbrook IL, 200 meter runner
In 1973- Eric Kresser quarterback (Cincinnati Bengals)
In 1973- Michelle Brogan Australian basketball forward (Olympics-bronze-96)
In 1973- Tom King Australian 470 class yachtsman (Olympics-96)
In 1975- Damon Denson guard (New England Patriots)
In 1975- Joshua Morrow Juneau AK, actor (Nicholas Newman-Young & Restless)
In 1976- Holly Manthei Edina MN, soccer midfielder/forward (Olympics-96)
In 1976- Jim Parque Norwalk CA, baseball pitcher (Olympics-bronze-96)
In 1978- Christa Williams Houston TX, softball pitcher (Olympics-gold-96)
In 1979- Tara Tucker Miss Alabama Teen-USA (1997)
In 1981- Tommy Michaels Staten Island NY, actor (Timmy Hutton-All My Children)
February 8 -Deaths Which Occurred
In 1124- Stefanus of Thiers/Muret founder of order of Grammond/saint, dies
In 1245- Johannes de Rupella/de la Rochelle French theologist, dies
In 1303- Nanshu Zen teacher (Rinzai line)/founder (Zounan temple), dies
In 1513- Alonso de Ojeda Spanish explorer (Curaçao & Bonaire), dies
In 1587- Mary Stuart Queen of Scots (1560-87), beheaded at 44
In 1611- Jan H Van Linschoten traveller/writer (Reys-Gheschrift), dies
In 1650- John Adriaensz hydraulic engineer (Haarlemmermeer), dies at about 74
In 1676- Aleksei M Romanov Czar of Russia, dies at 46
In 1686- François Tak Dutch diplomat on Java, murdered
In 1691- Carlo di Girolamo Rainaldi Italian architect/composer, dies at 79
In 1709- Giuseppi Torelli Italian composer, dies at 50
In 1725- Peter the Great Tsar of Russia dies
In 1725- Peter I "the Great" Romanov czar of Russia (1682-1725), dies at 52
In 1740- Clement XII [Lorenzo Corsini], blind Pope (1730-40), dies at 87
In 1749- Jan van Huysum Dutch still life painter, dies at 66
In 1771- Augusta von Saxen-Gotha German prince Frederick Louis of Wales, dies
In 1797- Johann Friedrich Doles composer, dies at 81
In 1801- Johann Chrysostomus Drexel composer, dies at 43
In 1821- Paul Anton Wineberger composer, dies at 62
In 1824- Rhijnvis Feith Dutch mayor/writer (Zwolle, Julia), dies at 71
In 1849- France Preseren Slovenian poet (Sonetni Venec), dies at 48
In 1849- François-Antoine Habeneck composer, dies at 68
In 1874- David F Strauss German theologist, dies at 66
In 1878- Elias M Fries Swedish botanist (mycologicum), dies at 83
In 1884- Arnold Henry Guyot Swiss/US geologist/meteorologist, dies at 76
In 1897- Antonio Cánovas del Castillo premier of Spain, murdered at 69
In 1907- Hendrik W Bakhuis Roozeboom chemist (fasenleer), dies at 52
In 1909- Edouard Silas composer, dies at 80
In 1909- Mieczyslaw Karlowicz composer, dies at 32
In 1911- Gustaf Fröding Swedish poet (Grabstänk), dies at 50
In 1920- Richard Dehmel writer, dies at 56
In 1921- Peter Kropotkin Russian Prince/geologist/revolutionary anarchist, dies at 78
In 1924- Gee John US mobster (1st executed in gas chamber-Nevada), dies
In 1932- Vincent "Mad Dog" Coll mobster, killed by Dutch Schultz gang
In 1935- Max Liebermann German impressionist painter/graphic artist, dies at 87
In 1937- Scato Gocko de Vries Dutch paleographer/librarian, dies at 75
In 1942- Fritz Todt German Reichs minister (Organization Todt), dies at 50
In 1944- Clem Wilson cricketer (brother of Rockley, 2 Tests for England 1896), dies
In 1946- Miles Mander actor/director (Murder, 3 Musketeers), dies at 57
In 1947- Ernest Samuel Williams composer, dies at 65
In 1949- Franco Leoni composer, dies at 81
In 1949- Leonid Alexeyevich Polovinkin composer, dies at 54
In 1953- Cliff Clark actor (Golden Hoofs, Kid Glove Killer), dies at 63
In 1954- Mabel Paige actress (Lucky Jordan), dies at 73
In 1956- Connie Mack baseball manager (Philadelphia A's, 1901-50), dies at 93
In 1957- John Von Neumann astronomer, dies at 53
In 1959- William J "Wild Bill" Donovan Office Strategic Services, dies at 76
In 1961- William Duncan actor (Hopalong Rides Again), dies at 81
In 1963- Abdul Karim Kassem PM of Iraq (58-63), assassinated in Baghdad at 48
In 1963- George Dolenz Italian actor (Count of Monte Cristo), dies at 55
In 1964- Tom Terriss English director (His Buddy's Wife, Sumuru), dies at 91
In 1968- J Borremans Belgian politician (Communist), dies at 56
In 1973- Herbie Taylor cricketer (2936 runs in 42 Tests for South Africa), dies
In 1974- Fern Andra dies at 80
In 1974- Fritz Zwicky Swiss/US astronomer (supernova), dies at 75
In 1975- Martyn Green actor (Gilbert & Sullivan, Mikado), dies at 75
In 1979- Nikolay Semyonovich Tikhonov Russian poet, dies at 82
In 1982- John Hay Whitney US newspaper magnate, dies at 76
In 1985- Marvin Miller actor (Michael Anthony of "The Millionaire") dies at 71
In 1985- Tom Greenway actor (Miami Story), dies of a heart attack at 75
In 1987- Harriet MacGibbon actress (Mrs Drysdale-Beverly Hillbillies), dies
In 1987- Bronislawa Wajs [Papuscha] writer, dies
In 1987- Hendrik Koekoek founder (Dutch Boer party), dies at 74
In 1988- Allan Cuthbertson actor (Running Man, 7th Dawn), dies at 67
In 1989- Maurits Kok Dutch writer/poet (Railroad Strike), dies at 81
In 1990- Del Shannon Coopersville MI, rock vocalist (Runaway), shoots self at 55
In 1991- Miran Bux cricketer (2 Tests for Pakistan 1954-55), dies at 47
In 1992- Baruch Lumet actor (Killer Shrews), dies at 93
In 1993- Casper van den Berg Dutch poet (Fashionable inconvenience), dies
In 1993- Douglas Heyes director/writer (Kitten with a Whip), dies at 73
In 1993- Eliot Janeway financial columnist (Eliot Doomsday), dies at 80
In 1993- Franz Schnyder Swiss director (10th of May), dies at 82
In 1993- Paul Brickhill Dutch/US WWII pilot/physician, dies
In 1994- Jacob Firet Dutch theologist (Agogic Moment), dies at 70
In 1994- Ken Hall Australian director/producer (Kokoda front line), dies at 92
In 1994- Raymond Scott composer (Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm), dies at 85
In 1995- B G Hooghoudt radio-telescope builder (Dwingeloo/Westerbork), dies at 70
In 1995- Wilhelm J Soukop Austrian/British sculptor, dies at 88
In 1996- John Hartford Worlock Roman Catholic Bishop (Liverpool), dies at 76
In 1996- Mercer Kennedy Ellington trumpeter bandleader/composer, dies at 76
In 1997- Roy George Elroy Josephs jazz dance teacher, dies at 57
In 1998- William Lambert Pulitzer prize-winning reporter, dies at 78
February 8 -Holidays
* Iraq : Ramadan Revolution
* Norway : Narvik Sun Pageant Day
* World : Boy Scouts Day (1910) - - - - - ( Sunday )
* China : Chinese New Year-The Year of the Ox (1997/4695)
February 8 -Religious History
In 1693- The College of William and Mary was founded in Williamsburg, Virginia for the purpose of educating Anglican clergyman. After Harvard, it is the second oldest institution of higher learning in America.
In 1744- Colonial missionary to the American Indians, David Brainerd wrote in his journal: 'I find that both mind and body are quickly tired with intenseness and fervor in the things of God. Oh that I could be as incessant as angels in devotion and spiritual fervor.'
In 1851- Death of Alexander Haldane, 83. In 1797 he founded the Society for Propagating the Gospel at Home, after discovering that the Church of Scotland was as little interested in home missions as it was in foreign missions.
In 1865- Birth of Lewis E. Jones, American YMCA director. Jones was also a writer of hymns, and his most enduring contribution (which he both wrote and composed) was "Power in the Blood."
In 1950- American missionary and martyr Jim Elliot wrote in his journal: 'Sin in a Christian makes God seem distant, deaf. In the body, sin saps animation, as cancer. In the soul, sin stifles the affections; as corrosion in the spirit, sin solidifies the attitudes, as a callous.'