In History, Today on July 8

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was assassinated while giving a campaign speech in Nara, Japan. The attack shocked the nation and the world, leading to widespread mourning and discussions on gun policies in Japan, which has one of the world's lowest incidences of gun violence.

The United States women's national soccer team celebrated their victory in the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup with a ticker-tape parade in New York City.

Germany defeated Brazil 7-1 in the FIFA World Cup semi-final, a historic and shocking result in one of the most watched sporting events globally.

NASA's Space Shuttle Atlantis launched on the final mission of the U.S. Space Shuttle program, STS-135, marking the end of an era in American spaceflight.

The International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion declaring that the construction of the Israeli West Bank barrier violated international law.

Sudan Airways Flight 139 crashed shortly after takeoff due to engine failure, resulting in the death of 116 out of 116 passengers and crew on board, with one child surviving the crash.

Kim Jong-il is confirmed as the Supreme Leader of North Korea following the death of his father, Kim Il-sung.

The U.S. Patent Office issues a patent for the game Twister, which becomes a popular party game.

Francis Gary Powers was charged with espionage by the Soviet Union after his U-2 spy plane was shot down over Soviet airspace.

Paris celebrated Bastille Day two days early by holding elaborate parades and military reviews.

Reports of a UFO crash in Roswell, New Mexico, were published, sparking widespread interest and conspiracy theories about extraterrestrial life.

Ernest Hemingway was wounded at Fossalta di Piave during World War I while serving as an ambulance driver for the Red Cross in Italy. This experience would significantly influence his later writing, especially 'A Farewell to Arms.'

The International Workers of the World (IWW), also known as the 'Wobblies,' was founded in Chicago, aiming to unite all workers against the capitalist system and improve industrial workers' conditions.

The Swiss government decides to move the capital of Switzerland to Bern.

The first issue of The Wall Street Journal was published, becoming one of the most influential financial newspapers in the world.

Commodore Matthew Perry sails into Tokyo Bay, Japan, with a squadron of four ships, seeking to re-establish trade between Japan and the Western world after over 200 years of Japanese isolation.

Joseph Bonaparte, brother of Napoleon I, was crowned King of Spain in Madrid.

The United States State Department issues the first U.S. passport.

The Liberty Bell rang out from the tower of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, summoning citizens to the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence.

The Battle of Domstadtl takes place during the Seven Years' War as a notable engagement between the Austrian forces and the Prussian army.

The Battle of Poltava took place, marking a decisive victory for Peter the Great of Russia over Charles XII of Sweden in the Great Northern War.

During his circumnavigation of the world, Sir Francis Drake, an English sea captain and privateer, anchored the Golden Hind at a place believed to be Drake's Bay, California.

Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama set sail from Lisbon, Portugal, on a mission to reach India and open a sea route from Europe to the East.

The naval Battle of Malta took place between the fleets of the Kingdom of Aragon and the Kingdom of Sicily, part of the larger War of the Sicilian Vespers.

During the First Crusade, the Christian armies began the Siege of Jerusalem, a pivotal moment in the Crusades where the crusaders attempted to capture the holy city from Muslim control.

The Byzantine emperor Nikephoros I was killed in the Battle of Pliska against the Bulgarians, marking a significant defeat for the Byzantine Empire.