Thursday, May 8th "2025" Daily Prep
Welcome to day 128, known as National Have a Coke Day, No Socks Day, Victory in Europe Day, World Ovarian Cancer Day. Your star sign is Taurus and your birthstone is Emerald.
1984 – The Thames Barrier is officially opened, preventing the floodplain of most of Greater London from being flooded except under extreme circumstances.
Todays birthdays
1926 – David Attenborough (99), English broadcaster, biologist, natural historian, and writer (The Blue Planet, Planet Earth), born in Isleworth, London.
1960 – Terry Christian (65), English broadcaster (The Wright Stuff, Jeremy Vine), journalist and author, born in Stretford, Greater Manchester.
1972 – Darren Hayes (53), Australian singer formerly of Savage Garden (“Truly Madly Deeply”), born in Brisbane, Australia.
1975 – Enrique Iglesias (50), Spanish singer and songwriter (“Hero”, “Bailando”), born in Madrid, Spain.
1976 – Ian “H” Watkins (49), Welsh singer and member of the pop group Steps (“Deeper Shade of Blue”, “Better Best Forgotten”), born in Llwynypia, Tonypandy, Mid Glamorgan, Wales.
1983 – Matt Willis (42), English musician and co-founder of pop-punk band Busted (“Year 3000”, “What I Go to School For”), born in Tooting, South London.
1983 – Vicky McClure (42), English actress (Line of Duty, Trigger Point, This Is England, Broadchurch), born in Wollaton, Nottingham.
Famous deaths
1984 – Diana Dors (b. 1931), English actress (Lady Godiva Rides Again).
The day today
1933 – Mahatma Gandhi, the pre-eminent leader of Indian nationalism in British ruled India began a 21 day fast in protest against the British rule. Employing non-violent civil disobedience, Gandhi led India to independence and inspired movements for non-violence, civil rights and freedom across the world.
1945 – VE Day in Europe. After five years, eight months, and five days of massive devastation, the end of the European phase of World War II was celebrated. Victory in Europe was commemorated with celebrations all around the world in recognition of the unconditional surrender of all German forces, which was signed in Reims, France, the previous day.
1961 – Former British diplomat George Blake, was jailed for 42 years after being found guilty of spying for Russia. In 1966 he successfully escaped from London’s Wormwood Scrubs.
1962 – Oskar Schindler and his wife Emilie are honoured for saving 1200 Jews during WWII, in a ceremony on the Avenue of the Righteous, Jerusalem.
1980 – The World Health Organization announces smallpox has been eradicated. Smallpox was the most devastating disease sweeping in epidemic form through many countries since earliest times, leaving death, blindness and disfigurement in its wake.
1984 – The Thames Barrier is completed. On the same day, the Soviet Union announces it will not participate in Los Angeles Summer Olympics in retaliation for the American boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics.
2013 – Sir Alex Ferguson (aged 71) announced his retirement as Manchester United manager after 26 years in charge. The Scot won 38 trophies for the club including 13 league titles, two Champions League crowns, five FA Cups and four League Cups and was the most successful manager in the history of British football.
2019 – UK goes a week without using a coal-fired power station for first time in 137 years due to use of more renewable energy.
Today in music
1954 – BBC radio banned the Johnny Ray song ‘Such a Night’ after listeners complain about its ‘suggestiveness’. Ray was famous for his emotional stage act, which included beating up his piano, and writhing on the floor.
1970 – The Beatles twelfth and final album, Let It Be was released, (it was recorded before the Abbey Road album, and was originally to be called ‘Get Back’). The album came in a deluxe-boxed edition with a ‘Get Back’ book.
1976 – ABBA scored their third UK No.1 single with ‘Fernando’, the song went on to become ABBA’s biggest selling single, with sales over 10 million. And also on day Abba started a nine-week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with their ‘Greatest Hits’ album. On the same day, BBC Radio 1 DJ Johnny Walker announced he was quitting the station after being told he must pretend to like The Bay City Rollers.
1993 – Aerosmith entered the US album chart at No.1 with ‘Get A Grip’, a No.2 hit in the UK. The album went on to sell over 20 million copies worldwide as well as winning the band two Grammy awards. On the same day, Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits received an honorary music doctorate from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne.
2016 – Following his unexpected death, Prince had the top two spots on the Billboard albums chart with The Very Best of Prince at No.1 and Purple Rain at No.2.
Today in history
1429 – The French warrior maiden, Joan of Arc, led the Dauphin’s troops to victory over the English laying siege to Orleans.
1450 – Jack Cade’s rebellion occurred ‘On This Day’ when Kentishmen, led by Jack Cade, revolted against King Henry VI with his ‘Complaint of the Poor Commons of Kent’ manifesto. His army of as many as 5,000 marched on London, causing the King to flee to Warwickshire. After taking and looting London, the rebels were defeated in a battle at London Bridge and scattered. They were promised pardons and reforms, but many of the rebels were instead declared traitors, and Cade was killed in a small skirmish on 12th July 1450.
1599 – The Act of Supremacy was passed by which the new Queen Elizabeth I became “Supreme Governor” of the Church of England and a Common Prayer book was introduced.
1660 – Charles II was proclaimed King of England. This was the restoration of the monarchy after the English Civil War and the reign of Oliver Cromwell as Lord Protector.
1701 – English pirate Captain Kidd went on trial at the Old Bailey in London. After being found guilty of piracy he was hanged on 23rd May, 1701.
1886 – Dr. John Pemberton brought his perfected syrup to Jacobs’ Pharmacy in downtown Atlanta where the first glass of Coca‑Cola was poured as a “patent medicine” or health tonic and not a soft drink. Serving about nine drinks per day in its first year, Coca‑Cola was an exciting new drink in the beginning.