February 8th
1587
Mary Queen of Scots was beheaded.
1693
College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Va., received its charter, becoming the second institution of higher learning in the United States.
1870
The National Weather Service was established under the U.S. Army Signal Corps.
1904
The Russo-Japanese war began when the Japanese launched a surprise attack on the Russian fleet at Port Arthur in northeast China.
1910
The Boy Scouts of America was incorporated.
1915
D. W. Griffith's controversial epic, The Birth of a Nation premiered in Los Angeles.
1924
The gas chamber was used for the first time as a method of execution in the United States. Gangster Gee Jon was put to death at the Nevada State Prison in Carson City.
1936
The first National Football League (NFL) draft was held. Jay Berwanger was the first to be selected. He went to the Philadelphia Eagles.
1960
The payola (pay for broadcast airplay) hearings opened in the U.S. House of Representatives. Dick Clark would testify in April.
1971
The NASDAQ stock market index debuts.
1974
CBS aired the first episode of "Good Times."
1980
President Jimmy Carter revealed his plan to reinstate selective service draft registration.
1985
"The Dukes of Hazzard" ended its 6-1/2 year run on CBS television.
2007
Model and tabloid sensation Anna Nicole Smith died at age 39 of an accidental drug overdose.
Birthdays
69 Ted Koppel Broadcast journalist
68 Nick Nolte Actor
67 Robert Klein Comedian
66 Creed Bratton Actor ("The Office")
56 Mary Steenburgen Actress
54 John Grisham Author
48 Vince Neil Rock singer (Motley Crue)
41 Gary Coleman Actor ("Diff'rent Strokes")
40 Mary McCormack Actress
39 Alonzo Mourning Basketball player
35 Seth Green Actor ("Austin Powers" movies)
35 Josh Morrow Actor ("The Young and the Restless")
32 Phoenix Rock musician (Linkin Park)
85 "Classy" Freddie Blassie 2/8/1918 - 6/2/2003 Professional wrestling villain and manager
76 Jack Lemmon 2/8/1925 - 6/27/2001 American actor
24 James Dean 2/8/1931 - 9/30/1955 American film actor