Historical Events
- Jan 24 Lieutenant General Robert Baden-Powell publishes "Scouting for Boys" as a manual for self-instruction in outdoor skills and self-improvement. The book becomes the inspiration for the Scout Movement.
- Feb 1 King Carlos I of Portugal and his heir, Prince Luis Filipe are assassinated by Republican sympathizers in Terreiro do Paco, Lisbon
- May 26 At Masjed Soleyman (مسجد سليمان) in southwest Persia, the first major commercial oil strike in the Middle East is made, rights acquired by the United Kingdom
- Jun 30 A giant fireball, most likely caused by the air burst of a large meteoroid or comet flattens 80 million trees near the Stony Tunguska River in Yeniseysk Governorate, Russia, in the largest impact event in recorded history
- Jul 26 United States Attorney General Charles Joseph Bonaparte issues an order to immediately staff the Office of the Chief Examiner (later renamed the Federal Bureau of Investigation)
- Aug 12 Henry Ford's company builds the first Model T car
- Sep 27 Henry Ford's first Ford Model T automobile leaves the Piquette Plant in Detroit, Michigan
- Oct 1 Henry Ford introduces the Model T car (costs $825)
- Nov 14 Albert Einstein presents his quantum theory of light
- Dec 28 Earthquake strikes Messina in Italy, killing nearly 80,000
- More Historical Events
1908 in Film & TV
- May 21 1st American horror movie silent film "Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde" premieres in Chicago
1908 in Music
- Dec 3 Edward Elgar's 1st Symphony in A performed by the Hallé Orchestra conducted by Hans Richter, premieres in Manchester, England
1908 in Sport
- Mar 9 Italian football club Inter Milan founded as Foot-Ball Club Internazionale
- Mar 17 Canadian champion Tommy Burns KOs Irish challenger Jem Roche in 1:28s of the 1st round at the Theatre Royal, Dublin; then quickest world heavyweight boxing title fight
Did You Know?
Did You Know?"SOS" (· · · – – – · · ·) distress signal becomes the worldwide standard for help
On July 1, 1908
Bette Davis
Lyndon B. Johnson
Donald Bradman
Enver Hoxha
Amon Göth
Adam Clayton Powell Jr.Famous People in 1908
Claude MonetWorld Leaders in 1908
H. H. Asquith
Nicholas II
Theodore Roosevelt
Wilhelm II
Would You Believe?
Katie Mulcahey is arrested for lighting a cigarette, violating the 1-day old "Sullivan Ordinance" banning women from smoking in public, and is fined $5. Appearing before the judge she stated “I’ve got as much right to smoke as you have. I never heard of this new law, and I don’t want to hear about it. No man shall dictate to me.”
On January 22, 1908
Famous Weddings
- May 19 Prime Minister of Canada Louis St. Laurent (26) weds Jeanne Renault
- Jun 3 NHL goaltender Georges Vezina (21) weds Marie Adelaide Stella Morin in Chicoutimi, Canada
- Jun 9 Poet Joyce Kilmer (21) weds author Aline Murray (19)
More Weddings & Divorces
Henry Campbell-Bannerman
Grover Cleveland
Henri Becquerel
Butch Cassidy1908 in Pictures
Henri Farman Wins the Grand Prix d'Aviation
Henri Farman crosses the line to win the Grand Prix d'Aviation for the first observed circular flight of 1kmJanuary 13How Portugal Lost Its Monarchy
There were few tears – and some uncharitable rejoicing – when King Carlos I of Portugal was shot dead on this day, bringing an end to a 270-year-old monarchy.February 1Was Mystery Blast Caused by Aliens?
A massive mysterious explosion in eastern Siberia that destroyed wildlife and felled a vast number of trees remains a mystery to this day.June 30Tunguska Fireball
Downed Trees as a result of the Tunguska explosion in Russia in 1908June 30Ford Puts Millions in the Driving Seat
Henry Ford's Model T rolled off the assembly line on this day in automotive history, bringing affordable motoring to millions.October 1
