November 8 might seem like another ordinary date but this day has immense significance in history.
Historical Events of Importance
1939
German carpenter Georg Elser placed a time-bomb in the hall in Munich where Hitler was due to give his annual speech. However, Hitler left earlier than anticipated and the bomb detonated.
As a result, eight people were killed while sixty-two were injured. Consequently, Elser was held as a prisoner for around five years.
2016
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the demonetization of all ₹500 and ₹1,000 banknotes on November 8, 2016. Additionally, the issuance of new ₹500 and ₹2,000 banknotes in exchange for demonetized banknotes was announced. PM Modi claimed that this would lessen the shadow economy. Along with this, he said that it will also reduce the use of illicit cash to fund terrorism and other illegal activities.
The demonetization followed a prolonged cash shortage in the following weeks. Consequently, severe disruption was caused throughout the economy. Public had to stand in lengthy queues to exchange banknotes. The rush to exchange cash lead to several deaths.
Politics
1960
John F. Kennedy was elected the 35th president of the United States on this day in 1960. He was one of the youngest (43-gear-old) U.S. presidents and the first Roman Catholic to serve at this position. Born into one of America’s wealthiest families, he received elite education. He went from being a Military hero to a successful run for Congress in 1946 and then the Senate in 1952. As the president, he confronted increasing Cold War tensions in Vietnam, Cuba, and elsewhere.
Kennedy renewed drive for public service. Consequently, he provided crucial support to the growing civil rights movement. It was his assassination on November 22,1963 which made him a popular heroic figure.
2016
The United States presidential election of 2016 was the 58th quadrennial presidential election. On November 8, 2016 the Republican party defeated the Democrats. The Republican ticket was of popular the businessman Donald Trump and the Indiana Governor, Mike Pence. They defeated the former secretary of state Hillary Clinton and the Senator from Virginia Tim Kaine. held on Tuesday, November 8, 2016.
On January 20, 2017, Trump was installed in the White House as the 45th president and Pence as the 48th Vice President.
Scientific Innovations
1895
On this day in 1895, physicist Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen made some critical observations. It was the day when X-rays were observed and discovered. The discovery occurred accidentally in his lab. He was testing whether cathode rays could pass through glass. During this, he noticed a glow coming from a chemically coated screen kept nearby. Rays were coined X-rays because of their unknown nature. Moreover, this discovery was important as it made the invisible visible.
2008
Chandrayaan -1 was launched on October 22, 2008 from Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota. It reached the moon on November 8, 2008. The lunar orbiter made 3,400 orbits of the moon. Along with this, it kept transmitting data until August 29, 2009. After this, the controllers lost connection with it. Moreover, the spacecraft was known for discovering evidence of water molecules on the moon.
Birthday
1927
Lal Krishna Advani was born on November 8 1927 in Karachi. A very popular figure in Indian politics, he served as the 7th Deputy Prime Minister of India. This was from 2002 to 2004 under Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Advani is one of the co-founders as well as a senior leader of the now ruling Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP). Additionally, he served as the Minister of Home Affairs in the BJP-led NDA government from 1998 to 2004. Along with this, he also served as the major leader of the opposition in the 10th and 14th Lok Sabha.
