February 8th – Today In History

We take a look at some of the events that occurred on February 8th.

Today In …

1693 - The College of William and Mary received its charter. It is currently the second oldest university in the U.S.

1910 - The Boy Scouts of America became incorporated.

1922 - President Warren Harding had the White House’s first radio installed.

1924 - Nevada became the first state to use gas as a means of execution. The state executed Gee Jon for murder.

1926 - Today was the day that Walt Disney Studios was officially formed.

1971 - The National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation or NASDAQ began its stock market tenure.

Sharing A Birthday Today…

Fred Blassie legendary wrestling star was born in 1918.

Gary Coleman, who starred on TV’s “Different Strokes” was born in 1968.

James Dean who will forever be immortalized in his films “East of Eden”, “Giant” and “Rebel Without a Cause” was born in 1931.

Seth Green, the actor who starred in the three “Austin Powers” movies, was born in 1974.

John Grisham, the renowned author of such novels as “A Time to Kill” was born in 1955.

Ted Koppel newscaster and host of TV’s “Nightline” was born in 1940.

Jack Lemmon the Oscar winning star of such films as “The Apartment” and “Some Like It Hot” was born in 1925.

Audrey Meadows, best known for her portrayal of Alice Kramden on TV’s “The Honeymooners” was born in 1926.

Vince Neil, lead singer of the rock band Motley Crue who sang “Dr. Feelgood” and “Home Sweet Home” was born in 1961.

Nick Nolte star of the “48 Hours” movies and “Prince of Tides” was born in 1941.

Dan Seals, the musician who sang the hit songs “Bop” and “Meet Me in Montana” (with Marie Osmond) was born in 1950.

William Tecumseh Sherman, the Union General during the Civil War was born in 1820.

Mary Steenburgen, the film and TV actress who has starred in “Elf”, “Parenthood” and “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” was born in 1953.

Lana Turner, the actress who starred in “Peyton Place” and “The Postman Always Rings Twice” was born in 1920.

Jules Verne the author of such novels as “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea”, “Around the World in 80 Days” and “Journey to the Center of the Earth” was born in 1828.

John Williams the Oscar winning composer of the scores for “Jaws”, “Star Wars” and three of the “Harry Potter” movies was born in 1932.

We Said Goodbye To…

George Dolenz the actor who starred in the TV series “Count of Monte Cristo” and father of the Monkees’ Micky Dolenz, passed away in 1963 at the age of 55.

Mary, Queen of Scots, the French and Scottish monarch was executed in 1587 at the age of 44.

Tsar Peter I, a.k.a. Peter the Great of Russia, passed away in 1725 at the age of 52.

Del Shannon the singer behind the hit “Runaway” passed away in 1990 at the age of 55.

Anna Nicole Smith, the model/actress/entertainer who passed away in 2007 at the age of 39.

Top Of The Charts On This Day In…

1960 - “Teen Angel” by Mark Dinning
1960 - On The Country Charts - “He’ll Have To Go” by Jim Reeves
1992 - “I’m Too Sexy” by Right Said Fred

Movie Moments In...

1915 - The controversial film “Birth of a Nation” premiered in New York.

TV Moments In…

1974 - The comedy “Good Times” debuted. The sitcom starred Jimmy Walker and Esther Rolle and lasted 5 seasons.

Memorable Sports Moments In…

1936 - The first ever National Football League draft was today. The Philadelphia Eagles selected Jay Berwanger as the first pick.

In Print In…

1969 - The last issue of the weekly newspaper “The Saturday Evening Post” was issued.