Fact 1: World Chocolate Day
July 8th is World Chocolate Day, a celebration in the honor of one of the world's favorite treats. Established in Paris, France in 1995, the day commemorates the introduction of chocolate to Europe in 1550. It's the perfect excuse to indulge in your favorite chocolate treats guilt-free!
Fact 2: Birthday of John Pemberton
John Pemberton, the inventor of Coca-Cola, one of the most popular soft drinks of all times, was born on July 8th, 1831. He was a pharmacist by profession and his creation has become one of the best-selling beverages in the world.
Fact 3: The Liberty Bell's Historic Ring
On July 8th, 1776, the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia was rung to announce the Declaration of Independence and summon citizens for its reading. It has since become a symbol of American independence.
Fact 4: Infamous Arizona Heatwave
On July 8th, 1913, the residents of Death Valley, Arizona experienced the highest recorded temperature on Earth – a brutal 56.7 degrees Celsius!
Fact 5: The RNA Tie Club
July 8th, 1960 marks the establishment of the RNA Tie Club. Formed by scientist Francis Crick, the club comprised 20 elite scientists aiming to unravel the secrets of RNA's structure and function. Each member was assigned a specific amino acid to study, stimulating their scientific vigor.
Fact 6: The Founding of The Wall Street Journal
On July 8th, 1889, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) was first published. The WSJ is one of the most circulated newspapers in the United States and provides detailed coverage of business and economic events.
Fact 7: A Day for Video Games
July 8th is also Video Game Day. Whether you're into old-school classics or the latest releases, this day is dedicated to marathon gaming sessions and the exploration of virtual worlds.
Fact 8: Launch of the Zond 3 Spacecraft
The Soviet Union launched Zond 3, a spacecraft designed to fly by Mars and take detailed photographs, on July 8th, 1965. Although Mars was no longer at a close point to Earth, the mission succeeded in capturing a comprehensive set of high-quality images.
Fact 9: The Rose Bowl Game
July 8th, 1922 marked the completion of the famous Rose Bowl stadium in Pasadena, California. This iconic venue has hosted multiple Super Bowl games and has become a historic symbol of American football.
Fact 10: Graham Cracker Day
July 8th is also celebrated as National Graham Cracker Day in the United States. This holiday honours the creation of the graham cracker, invented by Sylvester Graham as a part of his diet philosophy.
Fact 11: Birth of Kevin Bacon
Famed actor and musician Kevin Bacon was born on July 8th, 1958. Embodying the "six degrees of separation" concept, he's connected to just about everyone in Hollywood through six or fewer professional associations.
Fact 12: Jaden Smith's Birthday
Actor, rapper, and social activist Jaden Smith, son of actors Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, was born on July 8th, 1998.
Fact 13: Release of the Pop Hit "Lean On"
On July 8th, 2015, the chart-topping hit "Lean On" by Major Lazer and DJ Snake featuring MØ, became the most streamed song of all time on Spotify.
Fact 14: Roswell UFO Incident
One of the most celebrated cases in the annals of UFO sightings, the Roswell UFO incident, was reported on July 8th, 1947. Serving as fodder for alien enthusiasts, the event has stirred debate regarding extraterrestrial life.
Fact 15: Launch of Phoenix Mars Lander
NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander was launched on July 8th, 2007. The mission was successful, and Phoenix confirmed the presence of water on the Martian surface.
Fact 16: Record Breaking Freefall
On July 8th, 2012, Felix Baumgartner made the second highest and fastest freefall jump from space in history during the Red Bull Stratos project.
Fact 17: Jean de La Fontaine's Birthday
Jean de La Fontaine, the famous French fable writer and one of the most widely read French authors, was born on July 8th, 1621.
Fact 18: Greatest 24-hour temperature change in the United States
The largest 24-hour temperature change recorded in the USA occurred in Loma, Montana. The temperature rose from -54 to 49 degrees Fahrenheit on January 15, 1972. However, the temperature change was recorded by an unattended automated surface observing system (ASOS) on July 8th, 2010.
Fact 19: First Indoor Swimming Pool
On July 8th, 1844 the first indoor swimming pool, the St George’s Baths, was opened in the UK to provide a place where people could learn to swim.
Fact 20: The Creation of the Krispy Kreme Doughnut Company
The Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation was founded on July 8th, 1937. This company, known for its signature glazed doughnuts, is now a beloved worldwide franchise with millions of hungry customers.