As we speak is Thursday, Might 8, the 128th day of 2025. There are 237 days left within the yr.
As we speak in historical past:
On Might 8, 1978, David R. Berkowitz pleaded responsible in a Brooklyn courtroom to homicide, tried homicide and assault in reference to the “Son of Sam” shootings that claimed six lives and terrified New Yorkers. (Berkowitz was sentenced to 6 consecutive life jail phrases.)
Additionally on this date:
In 1541, Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto reached the Mississippi River, the primary recorded European to take action.
In 1846, U.S. forces led by Gen. Zachary Taylor defeated Mexican forces close to modern-day Brownsville, Texas, within the first main battle of the Mexican-American Struggle.
In 1886, the primary serving of Coca-Cola, which contained cocaine, was offered at a pharmacy in Atlanta, Georgia. (The drink turned totally cocaine-free in 1929.)
In 1945, President Harry S. Truman introduced in a radio tackle that Nazi Germany’s forces had surrendered, stating that “the flags of freedom fly throughout Europe” on V-E (Victory in Europe) Day.
In 1973, members of the American Indian Motion and the Oglala Lakota tribe, who had occupied the South Dakota hamlet of Wounded Knee for 10 weeks, surrendered to federal authorities.
In 1984, the Soviet Union introduced it might boycott the upcoming Summer time Olympic Video games in Los Angeles.
In 2020, U.S. unemployment surged to 14.7%, a stage final seen when the nation was within the throes of the Nice Melancholy; the federal government reported that greater than 20 million Individuals had misplaced their jobs in April amid the financial fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.
As we speak’s Birthdays:
- Biologist/TV presenter David Attenborough is 99.
- Poet Gary Snyder is 95. Singer Toni Tennille is 85.
- Pianist Keith Jarrett is 80.
- Singer Philip Bailey (Earth, Wind and Fireplace) is 74.
- Rock musician Chris Frantz (Speaking Heads) is 74.
- Rock musician Alex Van Halen is 72.
- Soccer Corridor of Fame coach Invoice Cowher is 68.
- Soccer Corridor of Famer Ronnie Lott is 66.
- Filmmaker Michel Gondry is 62.
- Actor Melissa Gilbert is 61.
- Singer Enrique Iglesias is 50.
- Musician Joe Bonamassa is 48.
- Actor Domhnall Gleeson is 42.