Important Events From Today in History – 8 July

Today in History

• 2011 Space Shuttle Atlantis is launched for the last time

  It was also the final flight of NASA’s successful 30-year Space Shuttle programme. STS-135, as the program’s final mission was known, was the 135th flight.

• 1994 Kim Jong-il takes office as the Supreme Leader of North Korea

  Kim Jong-il, popularly known as “Dear Leader” in his country, ascended to the highest office in North Korea following the death of his father, Kim Il-sung. He ruled the country with an iron fist until his death in 2011, when his son, Kim Jong-un, succeeded him. Widespread human rights violations and widespread famine in the country marred Kim Jong-il’s presidency.

• 1889 Wall Street Journal published for the first time

  The Wall Street Journal was founded by three financial reporters named Charles Dow, Edward Jones, and Charles Bergstresser to replace a previous publication called the Customers’ Afternoon Letter.

• 1777 Vermont abolishes slavery

  Vermont became the first region in the newly formed United States to abolish slavery when it adopted its constitution. Vermont declared independence from the British empire, prompting the adoption of the constitution.

• 1497 Vasco da Gama sets off on a voyage to India from Lisbon with 4 ships

  A year later, he reached the city of Calicut in southern India and became the first European to set foot in India by way of the sea.