On this day: 8 July

Selected events and births on 8 July, from Wikipedia’s “On this day”.

Events

• 1663 – Baptist minister John Clarke was granted the Rhode Island Royal Charter, described as the "grandest instrument of human liberty ever constructed". Read more: Baptists John Clarke (Baptist minister) Rhode Island Royal Charter
• 1776 – The United States Declaration of Independence received its first formal public reading, in Philadelphia. Read more: United States Declaration of Independence Philadelphia
• 1874 – Members of the North-West Mounted Police at Fort Dufferin began their March West, their first journey to the Canadian Prairies. Read more: North-West Mounted Police Fort Dufferin March West
• 1927 – The Spanish anarchist group Los Errantes are released from French detention, following a lengthy defense campaign against their extradition. Read more: Los Errantes
• 1962 – Following student protests at Rangoon University, Burmese general Ne Win ordered the demolition of the historic students' union building. Read more: 1962 Rangoon University protests University of Yangon Ne Win
• 1990 – West Germany won the FIFA World Cup final against defending champions Argentina, with Andreas Brehme scoring the game's only goal. Read more: Germany national football team 1990 FIFA World Cup final Argentina national football team
• 2014 – German citizen Lars Mittank disappeared from Varna Airport, Bulgaria; his last known movements were widely watched on YouTube. Read more: Disappearance of Lars Mittank Varna Airport YouTube
• 2014 – In the 2014 FIFA World Cup semi-final at the Mineirão, Germany defeated Brazil 7–1 (players pictured), breaking several tournament records. Read more: 2014 FIFA World Cup Mineirão Brazil v Germany (2014 FIFA World Cup)
• 2021 – Head of a Bear sold at auction in London for a total of £8.8 million, a record for a drawing by Leonardo da Vinci. Read more: Head of a Bear Leonardo da Vinci

Born on this day

• 1945 – Micheline Calmy-Rey, Swiss politician, 91st President of the Swiss Confederation Read more: Micheline Calmy-Rey President of the Swiss Confederation
• 1947 – Luis Fernando Figari, Peruvian religious leader, founded the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae Read more: Luis Fernando Figari Sodalitium Christianae Vitae
• 1958 – Andreas Carlgren, Swedish educator and politician, 8th Swedish Minister for the Environment Read more: Andreas Carlgren Minister for the Environment (Sweden)
• 1958 – Tzipi Livni, Israeli lawyer and politician, 18th Justice Minister of Israel Read more: Tzipi Livni Ministry of Justice (Israel)
• 1990 – Kevin Trapp, German footballer Read more: Kevin Trapp
• 1991 – Virgil van Dijk, Dutch footballer Read more: Virgil van Dijk
• 1992 – Son Heung-min, Korean footballer Read more: Son Heung-min
• 1993 – David Corenswet, American actor Read more: David Corenswet
• 1996 – Marlon Humphrey, American football player Read more: Marlon Humphrey
• 1998 – Maya Hawke, American actress Read more: Maya Hawke
• 1998 – Jaden Smith, American actor and rapper Read more: Jaden Smith
• 1999 – İpek Öz, Turkish tennis player Read more: İpek Öz

Text from Wikipedia: Selected anniversaries / July 8 and the linked articles, via the Wikimedia “On this day” feed, under CC BY-SA 4.0. We leave out entries about wars, violence and disasters to keep this page family-friendly.