Today in History for 8th January 2026
Historical Events1656 - Oldest surviving commercial newspaper, "Weeckelycke Courante van Europa", now known as "Haarlems Dagblad", and still in print, begins publication in Haarlem, Netherlands1716 - Amsterdam gang leader and thief "Sjako" arrested1948 - Queen Wilhelmina signs death sentence against Ans van Dijk for treason1984 - AFC Championship, LA Memorial Coliseum: Los Angeles Raiders beat Seattle Seahawks, 30-142008 - New Jersey officially apologizes for slavery, becoming the first Northern state to do soMore Historical Events Famous Birthdays1824 - Francisco Gonzlez Bocanegra, Mexican poet (Mexican national anthem), born in San Luis Potosi, Mexico (d. 1861)1934 - Gene Freese, American MLB baseball player (Pittsburgh Pirates and 5 other teams), born in Wheeling, West Virginia (d. 2013)1965 - Michelle Forbes [Guajardo], American actress (True Blood, Guiding Light, Star Trek: The Next Generation), born in Austin, Texas1986 - Peng Shuai, Chinese tennis player (1st Chinese player to reach No.1 ranking - doubles with Hsieh Su-wei of Taiwan, 2014), born in Xiangtan, China1987 - Cynthia Erivo, British Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Award-winning stage and screen actress (The Color Purple; Harriet; Wicked (film)) and singer-songwriter ("Stand Up"), born in London, EnglandMore Famous Birthdays Famous Deaths1900 - Billy Bates, English cricket all-rounder (15 Tests, 5 x 50, 50 wickets, BB 7/28, hat-trick 1883; Yorkshire CCC), dies from pneumonia at 441916 - Rembrandt Bugatti, Italian sculptor (b. 1884)1963 - Stark Young, American writer (So Red the Rose), dies at 811990 - Terry-Thomas [Thomas Terry Stevens], English comedian and actor (I'm All Right Jack; Private's Progress), dies of Parkinson's disease at 782007 - Arthur Cockfield 'The Father of the Single Market, British politician '(European Commissioner), dies at 90More Famous Deaths