1. The Battle of Bennington occurred on August 16, 1777, but the events leading up to it began on August 8, when American General John Stark arrived in Manchester, Vermont, with reinforcements for the Continental Army.

2. On August 8, 1814, the Treaty of Ghent was signed, ending the War of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain. The treaty was ratified by the US Senate on February 16, 1815.

3. The Vermont State Fair has been held annually in Rutland, Vermont, since 1846. The fair typically runs for 10 days and begins on the second or third Friday in August, depending on the calendar.

4. Vermont's first state prison opened in Windsor on August 8, 1808. The prison was built to house up to 50 prisoners and was the first in the nation to use solitary confinement as a form of punishment.

5. On August 8, 1952, the first broadcast of "Vermont This Week" aired on Vermont Public Television. The show features news and analysis of Vermont politics, social issues, and current events, and has been on the air for over 60 years.