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November 8

November 8 is the 312th day of the year (313th in ) in the , with 53 days remaining until the end of the year. Notable historical events associated with this date include the discovery of X-rays by German physicist on November 8, 1895, which earned him the first in 1901 and revolutionized through empirical demonstration of penetrating matter. Operation Torch, the Allied invasion of French-controlled during , commenced on November 8, 1942, marking the first major offensive by U.S. forces against in the European-African theater and contributing causally to the eventual liberation of the region via coordinated amphibious and airborne assaults. The date has also coincided with several U.S. presidential elections, such as the 1864 reelection of amid the , the 1960 victory of over in a closely contested race determined by popular and electoral margins, and the 2016 election where secured the presidency against through 304 electoral votes despite losing the national popular vote. Prominent births on November 8 encompass Irish author in 1847, known for creating the vampire novel based on folklore and historical figures like ; American writer in 1900, whose depicted the era through primary historical research; and chef in 1966, recognized for his Michelin-starred restaurants and empirical approach to culinary precision. Notable deaths include English poet in 1674, author of , a foundational work in grounded in biblical exegesis; and American gambler and gunfighter in 1887, a key figure in Old West events like the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, succumbing to after a life marked by dental practice and frontier conflicts.

Events

Pre-1600

On November 8, 392, issued a constitution from , recorded in the (XVI.10.12), that expanded prior edicts by fully prohibiting sacrifices, libations, and all forms of pagan cult practices across the empire, including private household worship, under penalty of law. This measure, co-signed by his son as , marked a decisive escalation in the suppression of traditional Roman religion in favor of , reflecting Theodosius's long-term policy to unify the empire under orthodox Christian doctrine amid ongoing theological disputes. In autumn 960, Byzantine forces under Leo Phokas the Younger ambushed and decisively defeated the army of the Hamdanid Emir in a at Andrassos (modern Andırın, ) during the emir's retreat from a into Byzantine territory. The Byzantine tagmata, leveraging superior and the , annihilated much of the Hamdanid force—estimated at over 30,000 men—killing or capturing thousands while Sayf al-Dawla escaped with only a fraction of his troops, weakening Aleppo's raiding capacity and paving the way for later Byzantine offensives under . On November 8, 1519, Spanish and his expedition of approximately 500 men, allied with thousands of Tlaxcalan warriors, entered the Aztec capital of after negotiations and a display of force at Cholula. received Cortés amid elaborate ceremonies, housing the Spaniards in the palace of , an event that initiated direct European contact with the empire's core but sowed seeds of tension leading to Moctezuma's arrest two weeks later. This entry, documented in Cortés's own letters to , underscored the ' initial diplomatic hospitality toward the intruders, whom some interpreted as fulfilling prophecies, before escalating into conquest.

1601–1900

On November 8, 1602, the at the opened to scholars, marking the revival of a medieval collection refurbished by Sir with approximately 2,500 volumes. In 1861, during the , the USS San Jacinto, commanded by Captain , intercepted the British mail steamer RMS Trent in the Old Bahama Channel and removed two Confederate diplomats, and , sparking the and risking war between the United States and Britain. On November 8, 1864, was re-elected president of the United States, defeating amid ongoing hostilities, with Lincoln securing 55% of the popular vote and all but three states' electoral votes. November 8, 1892, saw Democrat elected to a non-consecutive second term as U.S. president, defeating Republican with 277 electoral votes to 145, amid economic concerns from the looming. German physicist Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen observed X-rays on November 8, 1895, while experimenting with cathode-ray tubes at the ; he noted fluorescence beyond the tube's screen, leading to the first medical X-ray image of his wife's hand on December 22 and his 1901 .

1901–present

1904: of the defeated Democrat in the United States presidential election, winning 336 of 476 electoral votes and all but 13 states outside the . 1923: Adolf Hitler and members of the launched the in , interrupting a meeting at the beer hall and attempting to seize control of the Bavarian government as a step toward overthrowing the ; the coup failed the following day, leading to Hitler's arrest and trial. 1932: Democrat defeated incumbent Republican in the United States presidential election, capturing 472 electoral votes to Hoover's 59 amid widespread economic distress from the . 1942: Allied forces under American, British, and other commanders initiated , landing over 100,000 troops at , , and in to open a second front against Axis forces in . 1960: Senator narrowly won the against Vice President , securing 303 electoral votes to Nixon's 219 after a campaign marked by close popular vote margins and debates on and civil rights. 1994: In midterm elections, the gained 54 House seats and 8 Senate seats, achieving majorities in both chambers of Congress for the first time since 1952 and enacting the "" platform led by . 2016: Republican defeated Democrat in the United States presidential election, earning 304 electoral votes to Clinton's 227 despite trailing in the national popular vote by about 2.9 million ballots, amid controversies over campaign tactics and media coverage.

Births

Pre-1600

On November 8, 392, issued a from , recorded in the (XVI.10.12), that expanded prior edicts by fully prohibiting sacrifices, libations, and all forms of pagan cult practices across the empire, including private household worship, under penalty of law. This measure, co-signed by his son as , marked a decisive escalation in the suppression of traditional Roman religion in favor of , reflecting Theodosius's long-term policy to unify the empire under orthodox Christian doctrine amid ongoing theological disputes. In autumn 960, Byzantine forces under Leo Phokas the Younger ambushed and decisively defeated the army of the Hamdanid Emir in a at Andrassos (modern Andırın, ) during the emir's from a into Byzantine territory. The Byzantine tagmata, leveraging superior and the , annihilated much of the Hamdanid force—estimated at over 30,000 men—killing or capturing thousands while Sayf al-Dawla escaped with only a fraction of his troops, weakening Aleppo's raiding capacity and paving the way for later Byzantine offensives under . On November 8, 1519, Spanish and his expedition of approximately 500 men, allied with thousands of Tlaxcalan warriors, entered the Aztec capital of after negotiations and a display of force at Cholula. received Cortés amid elaborate ceremonies, housing the Spaniards in the palace of , an event that initiated direct European contact with the empire's core but sowed seeds of tension leading to Moctezuma's arrest two weeks later. This entry, documented in Cortés's own letters to , underscored the ' initial diplomatic hospitality toward the intruders, whom some interpreted as fulfilling prophecies, before escalating into conquest.

1601–1900

On November 8, 1602, the at the opened to scholars, marking the revival of a medieval collection refurbished by Sir with approximately 2,500 volumes. In 1861, during the , the USS San Jacinto, commanded by Captain , intercepted the British mail steamer RMS Trent in the Old Bahama Channel and removed two Confederate diplomats, and , sparking the and risking war between the and . On November 8, 1864, was re-elected president of the United States, defeating amid ongoing hostilities, with Lincoln securing 55% of the popular vote and all but three states' electoral votes. November 8, 1892, saw Democrat elected to a non-consecutive second term as U.S. president, defeating Republican with 277 electoral votes to 145, amid economic concerns from the looming. German physicist Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen observed X-rays on November 8, 1895, while experimenting with cathode-ray tubes at the ; he noted fluorescence beyond the tube's screen, leading to the first medical X-ray image of his wife's hand on December 22 and his 1901 .

1901–present

1904: of the defeated Democrat in the United States presidential election, winning 336 of 476 electoral votes and all but 13 states outside the . 1923: and members of the launched the in , interrupting a meeting at the beer hall and attempting to seize control of the Bavarian government as a step toward overthrowing the ; the coup failed the following day, leading to Hitler's arrest and trial. 1932: Democrat defeated incumbent Republican in the United States presidential election, capturing 472 electoral votes to Hoover's 59 amid widespread economic distress from the . 1942: Allied forces under American, British, and other commanders initiated , landing over 100,000 troops at , , and in to open a second front against Axis forces in . 1960: Senator narrowly won the against Vice President , securing 303 electoral votes to Nixon's 219 after a campaign marked by close popular vote margins and debates on foreign policy and civil rights. 1994: In midterm elections, the gained 54 House seats and 8 Senate seats, achieving majorities in both chambers of Congress for the first time since 1952 and enacting the platform led by . 2016: Republican defeated Democrat in the United States presidential election, earning 304 electoral votes to Clinton's 227 despite trailing in the national popular vote by about 2.9 million ballots, amid controversies over campaign tactics and media coverage.

Deaths

Pre-1600

On November 8, 392, issued a from , recorded in the (XVI.10.12), that expanded prior edicts by fully prohibiting sacrifices, libations, and all forms of pagan cult practices across the empire, including private household worship, under penalty of law. This measure, co-signed by his son as , marked a decisive escalation in the suppression of traditional in favor of , reflecting Theodosius's long-term policy to unify the empire under Christian doctrine amid ongoing theological disputes. In autumn 960, Byzantine forces under Leo Phokas the Younger ambushed and decisively defeated the army of the Hamdanid Emir in a at Andrassos (modern Andırın, ) during the emir's retreat from a into Byzantine territory. The Byzantine tagmata, leveraging superior and the , annihilated much of the Hamdanid force—estimated at over 30,000 men—killing or capturing thousands while Sayf al-Dawla escaped with only a fraction of his troops, weakening Aleppo's raiding capacity and paving the way for later Byzantine offensives under . On November 8, 1519, Spanish conquistador and his expedition of approximately 500 men, allied with thousands of Tlaxcalan warriors, entered the Aztec capital of after negotiations and a display of force at Cholula. received Cortés amid elaborate ceremonies, housing the Spaniards in the palace of , an event that initiated direct European contact with the empire's core but sowed seeds of tension leading to Moctezuma's arrest two weeks later. This entry, documented in Cortés's own letters to , underscored the ' initial diplomatic hospitality toward the intruders, whom some interpreted as fulfilling prophecies, before escalating into conquest.

1601–1900

On November 8, 1602, the at the opened to scholars, marking the revival of a medieval collection refurbished by Sir with approximately 2,500 volumes. In 1861, during the , the USS San Jacinto, commanded by Captain , intercepted the British mail steamer RMS Trent in the Old Bahama Channel and removed two Confederate diplomats, and , sparking the and risking war between the and . On November 8, 1864, was re-elected president of the United States, defeating amid ongoing hostilities, with Lincoln securing 55% of the popular vote and all but three states' electoral votes. November 8, 1892, saw Democrat elected to a non-consecutive second term as U.S. president, defeating Republican with 277 electoral votes to 145, amid economic concerns from the looming. German physicist Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen observed X-rays on November 8, 1895, while experimenting with cathode-ray tubes at the ; he noted fluorescence beyond the tube's screen, leading to the first medical X-ray image of his wife's hand on December 22 and his 1901 .

1901–present

1904: of the defeated Democrat in the United States presidential election, winning 336 of 476 electoral votes and all but 13 states outside the . 1923: and members of the launched the in , interrupting a meeting at the beer hall and attempting to seize control of the Bavarian government as a step toward overthrowing the ; the coup failed the following day, leading to Hitler's arrest and trial. 1932: Democrat defeated incumbent Republican in the United States presidential election, capturing 472 electoral votes to Hoover's 59 amid widespread economic distress from the . 1942: Allied forces under American, British, and other commanders initiated , landing over 100,000 troops at , , and in to open a second front against forces in . 1960: Senator narrowly won the against Vice President , securing 303 electoral votes to Nixon's 219 after a campaign marked by close popular vote margins and debates on foreign policy and civil rights. 1994: In midterm elections, the gained 54 House seats and 8 Senate seats, achieving majorities in both chambers of Congress for the first time since 1952 and enacting the platform led by . 2016: Republican defeated Democrat in the United States presidential election, earning 304 electoral votes to Clinton's 227 despite trailing in the national popular vote by about 2.9 million ballots, amid controversies over campaign tactics and media coverage.

Holidays and Observances

Religious Observances

In the Roman Catholic liturgical calendar, November 8 is the feast day of Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity, a French Discalced Carmelite nun born Élisabeth Catez in 1880, who emphasized the indwelling of the Trinity in the soul through her spiritual writings and was canonized by in 2016. It is also the commemoration of Blessed John Duns Scotus, a 13th-century Scottish Franciscan friar, philosopher, and theologian known as the "Subtle Doctor" for his contributions to , including defenses of the , and declared a Doctor of the Church by in 1993. Additional martyrs honored include the (Castorius, Claudius, Nicostratus, and Symphorian), Roman craftsmen executed around 305 AD under for refusing to fashion pagan idols, venerated as patrons of sculptors, stonemasons, and related trades. In the , November 8 (November 21 in the for some jurisdictions) marks the of the Archangel Michael and the Other Bodiless Powers, celebrating the angels as heavenly hosts, with liturgical readings emphasizing their role as messengers and protectors in Orthodox theology. This observance underscores patristic teachings on angelic hierarchies derived from , though its exact alignment varies by calendar usage among Orthodox communities. No major fixed observances occur on November 8 in , , , or , as their primary holidays follow lunar or lunisolar calendars that shift relative to the Gregorian date; for instance, Hindu or Jewish events like those on 17 may occasionally coincide but lack annual fixity on this day.

National and International Holidays

November 8 is observed as in , commemorating the liberation of from Armenian occupation on November 8, 2020, during the Second ; the date was officially designated a national holiday by presidential decree to honor military achievements and national sovereignty. In the , specifically , November 8 marks Constitution Day, celebrating the adoption of the state constitution on November 8, 1984, with public festivities including parades and cultural events recognizing local governance and heritage. Kyrgyzstan observes November 8 as the Days of History and Memory of Ancestors, a national commemoration focused on historical events and honoring forebears, established to reflect on the nation's past and cultural continuity through official state programs. No globally designated international holidays by the or major intergovernmental organizations fall on this date, though professional observances such as the International Day of Radiology—initiated by the International Society of Radiology in 2012 to honor Wilhelm Röntgen's 1895 of X-rays—are marked by medical communities worldwide with educational events and awareness campaigns.

Cultural and Secular Observances

World Radiography Day is observed annually on November 8 to commemorate the discovery of X-rays by German physicist Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen in 1895. While experimenting with in his laboratory at the , Röntgen noticed a fluorescent screen glowing despite being shielded from the rays, leading him to identify a new form of invisible radiation capable of penetrating materials opaque to light. This breakthrough, which earned Röntgen the first in 1901, revolutionized medical diagnostics by enabling non-invasive imaging of the body's interior. The day promotes awareness of radiography's role in healthcare, with events organized by professional bodies such as the International Society of Radiographers and Radiological Technologists, highlighting advancements from early hand-exposure risks to modern digital techniques that minimize radiation exposure. World Urbanism Day, also known as World Town Planning Day, occurs on November 8 to recognize the importance of in fostering sustainable and livable communities. Initiated in 1949 by Argentine professor Carlos Maria Della Paolera, the observance is celebrated in over 30 countries across four continents, emphasizing 's contributions to , transportation, green spaces, and reduction. Events include seminars, exhibitions, and public discussions hosted by organizations like the American Planning Association and the Royal Town Planning Institute, which advocate for evidence-based policies addressing rapid challenges, such as those affecting over half of the global population now living in cities. The day underscores 's causal impact on , drawing from historical precedents like post-World War II reconstructions that integrated and to prevent proliferation.

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