This Day In History, September 8th.

Five Historical Events That Happened on September 8th

  • The David statue by Michelangelo was unveiled in Florence, Italy, in 1504. The statue is frequently cited as one of the greatest Renaissance works of art.

  • Spanish explorers founded the first long-term European settlement in North America in 1565 at what is now St. Augustine, Florida.

  • Galveston, Texas saw the devastating hurricane of 1900, which wreaked enormous havoc and claimed between 6,000 and 12,000 lives.

  • In the Louisiana State Capitol building, Senator Huey Long of Louisiana was shot and fatally wounded in 1935. Long was a populist politician well-known for his vehement outbursts and graft in government.

  • Richard Nixon was fully pardoned in 1974 by President Gerald Ford for whatever crimes he may have committed while in office. Many Americans who thought Nixon should have been held accountable for his crimes strongly disagreed with the controversial pardon.

In 1504, Michelangelo's statue of David was unveiled in Florence, Italy. The statue is widely considered to be one of the greatest masterpieces of the Renaissance.

The David statue by Michelangelo is regarded by many as the pinnacle of Renaissance sculpture. The biblical figure David, who famously vanquished the giant Goliath with a single stone from his sling, is portrayed in a 17-foot-tall marble monument. The statue is renowned for its incredible attention to detail, lifelike rendering of the human form, and representation of David as a stand-in for power, bravery, and human potential. The statue is now kept at Florence, Italy's Accademia Gallery, where it continues to be one of the most visited tourist destinations in the city.

In 1565, the first permanent European settlement in North America was established by Spanish explorers in what is now St. Augustine, Florida.

Spanish adventurers under the command of Admiral Pedro Menéndez de Avilés founded a town at St. Augustine, Florida, on September 8, 1565. It was the first permanent European colony in what is now the continental United States, and the settlement was called in honor of Saint Augustine of Hippo. The Spanish wanted to spread Christianity to the surrounding indigenous people as well as defend their commercial channels against French and English assaults. The town expanded throughout the years and developed into a significant Spanish power center in North America. It is still a significant cultural and historical landmark today.

In 1900, the great hurricane of Galveston, Texas struck, causing widespread destruction and killing an estimated 6,000 to 12,000 people.

The Great Galveston storm, which struck Galveston, Texas, on September 8, 1900, was a devastating storm. The hurricane had gusts of up to 145 miles per hour and was a Category 4 storm. The city, which was situated on a barrier island, was flooded by the hurricane's storm surge, and it is thought that between 6,000 and 12,000 people perished as a result of the storm. The storm, which is still one of the deadliest natural catastrophes in American history, had a profound impact on how coastal communities were prepared for and handled later natural disasters.

In 1935, Senator Huey Long of Louisiana was shot and mortally wounded in the Louisiana State Capitol building. Long was a populist politician who was known for his fiery speeches and political corruption.

In the Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on September 8, 1935, Senator Huey Long of Louisiana was shot and fatally wounded. Long was a well-known populist politician who supported social programs and economic changes and was renowned for his vehement speeches. He had held the offices of Louisiana governor and U.S. senator, and at the time of his passing, many thought he may run for president. Long was shot by Dr. Carl Weiss, a political rival's son-in-law, and succumbed to his wounds two days later. Long's passing was a significant political and social development for Louisiana and the United States, and it is still the focus of debate and conjecture.

In 1974, President Gerald Ford granted a full pardon to former President Richard Nixon for any crimes he may have committed while in office. The pardon was controversial and widely criticized by many Americans who believed Nixon should have been held accountable for his actions.

Richard Nixon was completely and unconditionally pardoned for any crimes he may have committed while in office by President Gerald Ford on September 8, 1974. Many Americans felt that Nixon should have been held accountable for his conduct, particularly his part in the Watergate affair, therefore the pardon was divisive and drew intense criticism and discussion. While some saw the pardon as an effort to avoid a drawn-out and contentious trial, others saw it as a crucial step toward healing the country's political wounds. Scholars and historians are still researching and debating the pardon today because it represents a crucial turning point in American political history.

Previous
Previous

This Day In History, September 9th.

Next
Next

This Day In History, September 7th.