Important Events From Today in History – 08 September

Today in History

• 2015 The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Makes its Debut

  Before taking over for David Letterman as host of The Late Show on CBS, the comedian was a correspondent for The Daily Show and the host of The Colbert Report on Comedy Central. The first show featured presidential candidate, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, and actor George Clooney.

• 1991 The republic of Macedonia Declares its Independence From Yugoslavia

  The landlocked Balkan country became independent after about 96% of the voting public approved a referendum for independence from Yugoslavia.

• 1986 Oprah Winfrey Show Airs For the First Time

  Oprah Winfrey’s daytime talk show, which she hosted and produced, ran for 25 years and won over 45 Daytime Emmy Awards. “How to Marry the Man or Woman of Your Choice” was the topic of the show’s first episode.

• 1974 President Ford Pardons Nixon

  Gerald R. Ford, the 38th President of the United States, issued Proclamation 4311, which pardoned his predecessor, Richard Nixon, for any crimes committed while serving as President of the United States. Nixon resigned in August 1974, the only President in US history to do so after impeachment proceedings against him were initiated in the House of Representatives due to his involvement in the Watergate Scandal. The pardon was contentious. Many experts believe it played a role in Ford’s failure to win re-election as President two years later.

• 1966 Star Trek Makes its Television Debut

  Gene Roddenberry’s popular science fiction television series was about the adventures of the crew of the starship USS Enterprise. Captain James T. Kirk led the starship, assisted by Science Officer Spock and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Leonard McCoy. The Man Trap was the first episode of the series, now known as The Original Series (TOS), and it aired on NBC.