Hello. Welcome to your weekend.
On Saturday mornings we like to start the day in a lighter way, with a “scroll down memory lane.” It’s just a little peek back at some of the big events that happened on this date in the pages of history.
So, grab your favorite morning sippin’ drink and lets see what we can learn about the past before we head into our future.
Today is Saturday, May 8th, the 128th day of the year. There are 237 days until the end of the year.
On this day:
In 1886, Dr. John S. Pemberton created the formula for Coca-Cola while working on a new medicine for headaches and hangovers. It came about when a drugstore clerk mistakenly mixed it with carbonated water instead of straight water.
In 1945, the final surrender of the German forces was celebrated in Great Britain. It would soon be known as V-E Day. Victory in Europe.
In 1956, Alfred E. Neuman appeared on the cover of “Mad” magazine for the first time.
In 1978, David Berkowitz pled guilty to the murder charges against him in the New York City “Son of Sam” killings.
In 1984, the Soviet government announced it would boycott the 1984 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Soviet officials said they feared for the safety of their athletes in what they said was a “hostile” and “anti-Communist” environment.
In 1985, New Coke began rolling out of Coca-Cola bottling and canning plants. Company officials quickly brought back the old product after realizing most Coke drinkers preferred the original formula to the new one.
In 1987, Gary Hart withdrew from the race for the Democratic presidential nomination after his affair with model Donna Rice came to light.
In 1994, actor George Peppard died at the age of 65. He is best remembered for his role as Hannibal Smith on “The A-Team.”
In 1999, former “Diff’rent Strokes” actress Dana Plato died at the age of 34.
In 2004, Arizona State University held a memorial service for NFL player-turned Army Ranger Pat Tillman who was killed in action while on patrol in Afghanistan on April 22nd, 2004. Twenty seven white doves, representing each year of Tillman’s life, were released at the university’s Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona where Tillman played football for both ASU and the Arizona Cardinals before walking away from professional football to join the army.
In 2007, Hebrew University of Jerusalem announced that researchers had discovered the grave and tomb of Herod the Great. Herod was the Roman empire’s “king of the Jews” in ancient Judea. According to the Gospel of Matthew, Herod ordered the “Massacre of the Innocents,” which was the killing of all male children in Jesus’ birth city of Bethlehem out of fear he would lose his throne to a new “king of the Jews.”
In 2019, Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes says the social media platform should be divided and monitored.
In 2020, two White House staffers tested positive for the coronavirus.
And that brings us here to 5.8.2021. Whatever your plans are for the day ahead, here’s hoping you have moments to record in your own personal history books.
Thanks for stopping by!
