Abraham Lincoln at his home in Springfield, Illinois, with a large crowd of people gathered outside after a Republican rally, August 8, 1860. Image via LOC, no known restrictions

On the afternoon of August 8, 1883 over five hundred Native American warriors, who were mounted on ponies, bid farewell to President Chester A. Arthur at Fort Washakie in Wyoming before he and his Presidential party departed for Yellowstone. During his visit, President Arthur met with Chief Black Coal of the Arapaho and Chief Washakie of the Shoshone. Image: Indian reception of President Chester A. Arthur at Fort Washakie, Wyo. Terr.,1883 via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

On August 8, 1863, over a month after the Battle of Gettysburg, General Robert E. Lee requests his resignation with a written letter to Confederate President Jefferson Davis. Davis immediately rejected Lee’s request. Image: General Robert E. Lee and his horse “Traveller” c. 1866 via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

Gilpin Lake, Routt National Forest – August 8, 1949 Photographed by G.D. Pickford for the U.S. Forest Service, this black-and-white image captures the alpine serenity of Gilpin Lake in Colorado’s Routt National Forest. Taken on August 8, 1949, the scene reflects postwar America’s growing embrace of wilderness as both recreational escape and national heritage. Nestled among pine forests and rugged peaks, Gilpin Lake stands as a witness to the era’s conservation ethos—where federal agencies documented nature not just for management, but for memory. Though its depths have not been officially confirmed, the lake has long sustained cold-water fish species. Brook trout were likely present in earlier decades, while recent reports suggest cutthroat trout may inhabit these alpine waters—whether through natural migration, unofficial stocking, or misidentification remains unclear.
Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

On this date, August 8, 1966: Dr. Michael DeBakey led a team of surgeons in a successful implant of an artificial heart pump or LVAD in a 37-year-old woman. During his career, Michael operated on over 60,000 patients. Image: Colonel Michael DeBakey, Medical Corps, US Army, October 1945-February 1946.
From: Otis Historical Archives of “National Museum of Health & Medicine” via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

August 8, 1908 Wilbur Wright flew, in his first attempt, more than 2 kilometers, at a speed of 65 kilometers per hour and at 15 meters in height. – Le Mans, France.
Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

The Convair B-36 made its first flight on August 8, 1946. Named “The Peacemaker,” the plane was designed to carry nuclear bombs from within US to the USSR. Later models were powered by both propeller and jet engines – “six turning and four burning.” It was replaced by more advanced planes in the 1950s. Image: USAF via Wikimedia Commons, public domain in the US

American architect Charles Bulfinch was born on August 8, 1763 in Boston, Massachusetts Charles designed the Massachusetts State House, the Old Connecticut State House, the Maine Statehouse and alterations to the U.S. Capitol building. Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

Approved, but not yet admitted.
On August 8, 1911, the U.S. Senate voted 53–18 to approve statehood for Arizona and New Mexico. Yet both territories remained in political limbo until 1912, as constitutional concerns—especially Arizona’s provision for judicial recall—prompted a presidential veto and delayed admission. New Mexico entered the Union on January 6; Arizona followed on February 14.

Image: Clifford K. Berryman’s 1911 political cartoon titled “Admission to Statehood” via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

“A group of foreign observers with Maj. Gen. George Stoneman (standing hands folded, center) at Falmouth, Virginia” – 1863 Stoneman was an Adjutant to George McClellan during the American Civil War and he was born on August 8, 1822 in Busti, New York.

Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

On the evening of August 8, 1974 Richard Nixon delivered a speech to the nation on television and radio. During the address he stated “I shall resign the Presidency effective noon tomorrow. Vice President Ford will be sworn in at that hour in this office.” Nixon’s resignation was a result of the Watergate scandal. Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain in the US

Thomas Edison at 31 years of age in 1878 Two years earlier on August 8, 1876 Edison received a patent for his Autographic Printing (Mimeograph) machine. Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

Born August 8, 1839 Nelson A. Miles had a remarkable, 42-year career as a soldier. A 1st Lieutenant in 1861, he ended the Civil War as a Major General with a Medal of Honor. Miles served through the Indian Wars and Spanish-American War, retiring as Commanding General in 1903. He’s shown, left, in Puerto Rico in 1898. Image: LOC via Wikimedia Commons, public domain in the US

On August 8, 1960, Brian Hyland’s “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini” was #1 in the charts in the U.S. Image featuring Brian Hyland and song when it was released earlier that summer via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

Esther Williams was born on August 8, 1921 Inglewood, California. A champion swimmer turned Hollywood icon, Esther Williams transformed aquatic grace into cinematic spectacle. Denied her Olympic debut by World War II, she dove into stardom with MGM’s “aquamusicals,” blending athleticism, glamour, and synchronized artistry. Dubbed “America’s Mermaid,” Williams redefined femininity on screen—strong, poised, and unapologetically physical—while launching a swimwear empire and inspiring generations to find beauty in motion. Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

She was born Concetta Rosalie Ann Ingolia on August 8, 1935 but has been known as Connie Stevens in her long career as a singer and actor. You may remember her hits “16 Reasons” and “Kookie, Kookie (Lend Me Your Comb).” Connie is shown here with co-star Robert Conrad in the series “Hawaiian Eye.” Image via Wikimedia Commons, no known copyright, public domain in the US.

American actor Dustin Hoffman was born on August 8, 1937 in Los Angeles, California Before becoming an actor, Hoffman had aspirations of becoming a classical pianist. Image of Dustin Hoffman in 1968 via Wikimedia Commons, no known copyright, public domain in the US.

GIFTS
I gave my first love laughter,
I gave my second tears,
I gave my third love silence ⁠Through all the years.
My first love gave me singing, ⁠
My second eyes to see,
But oh, it was my third love ⁠Who gave my soul to me.

A poem by Sara Teasdale who was born on August 8, 1884 in Saint Louis, Missouri.

Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain