Today in History: D.W. Griffith's ‘The Birth of a Nation' premieres
Today is Saturday, Feb. 8, the 39th day of 2025. There are 326 days left in the year.
Today in history:
On Feb. 8, 1915, D.W. Griffith's controversial epic film 'The Birth of a Nation' premiered in Los Angeles.
Also on this date:
In 1587, Mary, Queen of Scots was beheaded at Fotheringhay Castle in England after she was implicated in a plot to murder her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I.
In 1693, a charter was granted for the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg in the Virginia Colony.
In 1904, Japan launched a surprise attack on the Russian Navy at Port Arthur (now Dalian, China), marking the beginning of the Russo-Japanese War.
In 1910, the Boy Scouts of America was incorporated by William D. Boyce.
In 1924, the first execution by gas in the United States took place at the Nevada State Prison in Carson City as Gee Jon, a Chinese immigrant convicted of murder, was put to death.
In 1936, the first NFL draft was held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Philadelphia.
In 1960, work began on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, located on Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street in Los Angeles.
In 1968, three Black students were killed and 28 wounded as state troopers opened fire on student demonstrators on the campus of South Carolina State College in Orangeburg in the wake of protests over a whites-only bowling alley. The event would become known as the Orangeburg Massacre.
In 1971, NASDAQ, the world's first electronic stock exchange, held its first trading day.
Today's birthdays: Composer-conductor John Williams is 93. Broadcast journalist Ted Koppel is 85. Actor Nick Nolte is 84. Comedian Robert Klein is 83. Actor-rock musician Creed Bratton is 82. Actor Mary Steenburgen is 72. Author John Grisham is 70. Hockey Hall of Famer Dino Ciccarelli is 65. Rock singer Vince Neil (Mötley Crüe) is 64. Basketball Hall of Famer Alonzo Mourning is 55. Actor Seth Green is 51. Actor William Jackson Harper is 45. Actor-comedian Cecily Strong is 41. Hip-hop artist Anderson .Paak is 39. Professional surfer Bethany Hamilton is 35.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
37 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Sean Penn Criticizes Plan to Remove Harvey Milk's Name From Navy Ship
The U.S. Navy is reportedly preparing to rename the USNS Harvey Milk, a Navy support ship christened in honor of the assassinated gay rights icon, an order that comes directly from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Now Sean Penn and screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, who both won Oscars for the 2008 biopic Milk, are hitting back at the plan. 'This is yet another move to distract and to fuel the culture wars that create division,' Black told The Hollywood Reporter. 'It's meant to get us to react in ways that are self-centered so that we are further distanced from our brothers and sisters in equally important civil rights fights in this country. It's divide and conquer.' He continued, 'These guys are idiots. Pete Hegseth does not seem like a smart man, a wise man, a knowledgeable man. He seems small and petty. I would love to introduce him to some LGBTQ folks who are warriors who have had to be warriors our entire life just to live our lives openly as who we are.' Penn responded more tersely: 'I've never before seen a Secretary of Defense so aggressively demote himself to the rank of Chief PETTY Officer.' The Defense Department's announcement coincided with the beginning of Pride month, which is not a coincidence. The Defense Department source who spoke with said the decision to rename the ship during Pride month was an intentional choice. According to a memo obtained by CBS News, the choice to rename the ship was part of an effort to reestablish 'the warrior culture' within the military — a particular fixation of Hegseth. Milk was not only one of the most prominent figures in the gay rights movement in the '70s and '80s, he was also a Korean War veteran. He was ousted from the Navy in 1955 after being accused of engaging in then-banned homosexual activities. He was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977 — the first gay man elected to the position — after years working as an activist and leader of the Castro neighborhood's growing gay and lesbian community. As city supervisor, Milk worked closely with former Democratic California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, then also a city supervisor. Milk was assassinated along with former San Francisco Mayor George Moscone in 1978 by disgruntled former supervisor Dan White. Milk begins with Milk's arrival in San Francisco and follows his political ascendancy, leading up to his assassination. The film was written by Black and directed by Gus Van Sant, and eventually earned eight Oscar nominations. Penn won Best Actor for his portrayal of the leader and activist while Black won Best Original Screenplay. Rolling Stone's Peter Travers called the movie 'a total triumph, brimming with humor, heart, sexual heat, political provocation and a crying need to stir things up, just like Harvey did. If there's a better movie around this year, with more bristling purpose, I sure as hell haven't seen it.' He added, 'That Harvey's questing spirit not only lives but soars in this movie is a gift from Sean Penn, who plays him for real instead of for show.' Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Black suggested taking inspiration from Milk himself. 'Harvey Milk is an icon, a civil rights icon, and for good reason,' Black said. 'That's not going to change. Renaming a ship isn't going to change that. If people are pissed off, good, be pissed off — but take the appropriate action. Do what Harvey Milk had said we need to do, and it's about bringing back together the coalition of the 'us'-es that helps move the pendulum of progress forward. Stop the infighting and lock arms again. That's what Harvey would say.' More from Rolling Stone Late-Night Hosts Take Aim at Trump's Feud With Musk: 'Blew Up Faster Than a SpaceX Rocket' Yes, the Trump Admin Is Still Very Much Attacking Abortion Rights GOP Bill Would Legalize DOGE and Let Trump Dismantle Everything Best of Rolling Stone The Useful Idiots New Guide to the Most Stoned Moments of the 2020 Presidential Campaign Anatomy of a Fake News Scandal The Radical Crusade of Mike Pence
CNBC
3 hours ago
- CNBC
AI can make anyone an anime creator: CreateAI
CreateAI has made AI tools that allows people to create anime and video games. CEO Cheng Lu explains why he believes AI won't take opportunities away from creators. He also talks about how tech tensions between the US and China affect the Chinese company's operations.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Mother-Daughter duo graduate from an HBCU
The post Mother-Daughter duo graduate from an HBCU appeared first on ClutchPoints. Mother-daughter duo Angela Jones and Jordan Jones are recent graduates of Southern University and A&M College. Graduating just one day apart, this milestone showcases their dedication to academic excellence. 'It wasn't just about walking across the stage,' Jordyn said, according to HBCU Gameday. 'It was about walking in purpose — together.' The two never planned to graduate at the same time from Southern University. What started off as separate academic paths evolved into a shared experience that included deep emotional connections, late-night study sessions, and support from one another. Although Angela received her bachelor's degree almost thirty years ago, she wanted to show that her dream had only been deferred. 'I always felt there was more I wanted to achieve academically,' she said about graduating from Southern. 'I wanted to prove to myself and to my daughter that it's never too late to pursue higher education.' Through the highs and lows of college, the Jones women were there to support one another through midterms and everything in between. Angela was actually inspired to re-enroll after witnessing her daughter's undergraduate journey. 'Supporting each other through school at the same time was a blessing,' Jordyn said. 'We leaned on each other during tough assignments and moments of doubt. Whether it was a word of encouragement, a prayer, or just knowing we weren't alone, we kept each other going.' Jordyn says that watching her mother re-enroll in school motivated her to keep going despite the obstacles. 'Her determination inspired me to keep going, even when things felt impossible,' explained Jordyn. 'She taught me that with the right mindset and faith, you can overcome anything.' 'This milestone means everything for our family,' expressed Angela. 'It represents generational growth, breaking barriers, and proving that dreams can be achieved no matter the circumstances. Growth doesn't stop at any age. Your goals are still valid, no matter how much time has passed.' Now, as educated Black women with HBCU degrees, the Joneses are enjoying their dual achievement. If they feel called back to school, the mother-daughter team hopes to encourage other families to pursue an education. Related: Former Boston College quarterback heading to Tennessee State Related: Marsai Martin talks relationship with NASCAR star Rajah Caruth
