On This Day: April 8

Tornado Talk Summary

On this day in 1998, an F5 tornado moved through parts of Tuscaloosa and Jefferson Counties, in Alabama. 32 people were killed and 259 others were injured. The worst damage occurred in the Oak Grove, area.  Read the full summary here

Photo of the Oak Grove School via NWS Birmingham.

SIGTOR Spotlight

Highlighting a Tornado Before 1950
from Significant Tornadoes by Thomas Grazulis!

April 8, 1919: What may have been a pair of torandoes moved through portions of Collin and Fannin Counties in Texas. “Six of eight members in one family were killed near Blue Ridge.” A tenant home at Delba was destroyed and woman was killed. Near Trenton, 30 homes were damaged or destroyed. Three people died at Ector, “including two boys caught in the open, running for shelter.” Eight more were killed at Ravenna. The total dead was 18.

Twister From The 2000s

On this day in 2021, an EF2 tornado hit near Norma, TN. Two homes were damaged, and a double-wide trailer was leveled. Source. 

A garage that was leveled. Photo via the Damage Assessment Toollkit (DAT).

Weather Rewind

There is more weather phenomenon than just tornadoes? 

On This Day in OTHER weather history!

On this day in 1989, Phoenix, AZ, reached 104 degrees!  Source

Pieces of the Past

A Look Back Through The Ages!  On This Day In History! 

Sources:  onthisday.com, thisdayinmusic.com & Britannica

Historical Event

On this day in 1913: Opening of China’s 1st parliament takes place in Peking (now Beijing). Check out more historical events at onthisday.com

Famous Birthday

Betty Ford was born on April 8, 1918, in Chicago, Illinois. She was the first lady (1974–77)—the wife of Gerald Ford, 38th president of the United States. She died in 2011. Source:  Britannica

Film & TV

On this day in 1979: 205th & final episode of “All in the Family”; followed by “Archie Bunker’s Place” for 4 seasons. Get more daily history at onthisday.com

Music Trivia

On this day in 1994: The Recording Industry Association of America announced that Pink Floyd’s 1973 album The Dark Side Of The Moon had become the fourth biggest-selling album in US history and had passed the 13 million mark in sales. The album has sold more than 25 million copies worldwide. Get into the groove with more music trivia at thisdayinmusic.com

Photo of the Day

April 8, 1968: BOAC Flight 712 catches fire shortly after takeoff. As a result of her actions in the accident, Barbara Jane Harrison is awarded a posthumous George Cross, the only GC awarded to a woman in peacetime. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

Note:  There are some images/videos in our summaries that were licensed to us to be used only on this website. If you would like to use an image/video in your project or blog, please contact us and we will grant permission if possible.

Newspaper clips are embedded via newspapers.com. Please see their terms and conditions.

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