October 8: Facts & Historical Events On This Day

Israel formally declared war on Hamas following a surprise attack by Hamas operatives in Israeli-controlled territory.

At the point of the declaration, the death toll had already risen to 1,100 from both sides.

An intergovernmental panel on Climate Change reported that the planet will heat up by 2.7°F by 2040, which will wreak havoc on our world.

Northern California’s wine country was devastated by sweeping wildfires.

The fires lasted through to October 15, killed 44 people, and 192 others were hospitalized.

Kenyan environmentalist Wangari Maathai became the first African female to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

Pioneer Venus Orbiter, or Pioneer 12, sent its last transmission as it fell from its orbit around Venus.

The US sent the spacecraft in May 1978 and carried out 17 experiments in space.

The Franklin National Bank closed due to fraud, the largest US bank to fail at the time.

John Lennon’s most iconic hit, “Imagine,” was released in the UK.

Argentinian Communist and Guerilla leader Che Guevara was captured by the Bolivian military.

Inventor Percy L. Spencer patented the Microwave Oven.

Although microwaves were already being used for other purposes, Spencer wanted to change the frequency so that the oven could cook food in a timely, cost-effective, and efficient manner.

The first Laurel and Hardy movie, “The Second Hundred Years,” was released in the United States.

American Army Corporal Alvin York and seven men attacked a major German gun nest on their own during World War I.

The group managed to kill 20 Germans and captured 132.

Wisconsin was struck by the deadliest wildfire in US history.

As the records offices of the affected towns were burned down, we'll never know how many people actually lived in the region, but it's estimated that as many as 3,000 people lost their lives. Despite being the deadliest wildfire in US history, it is often overlooked as it happened on the same day as the Chicago Fire.

The Treaty of Ried was signed between Bavaria and Austria.

Captain James Cook landed on Poverty Bay, New Zealand, where he studied and explored the land.

Many consider him to be the first European discoverer of the country, though he wasn't officially the first to sight it. Over a century before, in 1642, Dutch explorer Abel Tasman had sighted New Zealand but did not set foot on the ground.

Kepler’s Supernova was discovered.

This was the second supernova to be discovered within a generation. The supernova was named after German astrologer Johannes Kepler.

Isabella of Angoulême was crowned Queen consort of England at Westminster Abbey, London.