Beijing, China. Several notable events occurred on June 8 across different years, including political transitions, military developments, a major literary publication and a rare astronomical phenomenon.
Events on this day
In 1928, Chiang Kai-shek’s Chinese nationalist army secured the surrender of Peking.
In 1935, Omaha won the 1935 Belmont Stakes.
In 1949, “Nineteen Eighty-Four”, George Orwell’s vision of a world ruled by Big Brother, was published.
In 1995, Lee Teng Hui became the first president of Taiwan to visit the United States, angering China.
In 1998, Nigeria’s military ruler, General Sani Abacha, died suddenly after more than four years in power, and General Abdulsalam Abubakar was sworn in as Nigeria’s ninth military ruler.
In 2000, Russian President Vladimir Putin imposed direct presidential rule on Chechnya.
Also in 2000, the British military attache in Athens, Brigadier Stephen Saunders, was shot and killed. The November 17 urban guerrilla group claimed responsibility the next day.
In 2001, British Prime Minister Tony Blair won a historic second consecutive term in power by a huge margin, prompting opposition Conservative leader William Hague to resign.
In 2004, Venus transited across the Sun in a rare celestial event.
