In History, Today on December 8

The first actress to appear on an English public stage, Margaret Hughes, performed as Desdemona in a production of Shakespeare's 'Othello'.

President Abraham Lincoln issues his Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction, offering pardon and restoration of property to Confederates who swear allegiance to the Union.

The United States and the United Kingdom declared war on Japan, following the attack on Pearl Harbor.

John Lennon, former member of The Beatles, was shot and killed outside his apartment in New York City.

Leaders of Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus signed the Belavezha Accords, effectively dissolving the Soviet Union and establishing the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

Dimebag Darrell, guitarist for the band Damageplan and former member of Pantera, was shot and killed on stage during a performance in Columbus, Ohio.

The Al-Qaeda-linked group Abu Sayyaf attacked a Philippine military convoy on the island of Jolo, resulting in the deaths of at least 10 soldiers.

The European Union opened accession negotiations with Croatia, marking a significant step in Croatia's path towards EU membership.

SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft became the first commercial spacecraft to be successfully recovered from orbit, marking a milestone in private space exploration.

Protests erupted in Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, as part of the Euromaidan movement, demanding closer European integration and the resignation of President Viktor Yanukovych.

A volcanic eruption occurred on White Island in New Zealand, resulting in 22 deaths and numerous injuries among tourists and guides present on the island.