1. California became a U.S. State: December 8, 1850 marked the day California became the 31st state of the United States of America. Prior to becoming a state, California had been a territory of the U.S. following the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which concluded the Mexican-American War.

2. The Assassination of Harvey Milk: On December 8, 1978, controversial San Francisco Supervisor, Harvey Milk, and Mayor George Moscone were assassinated by Milk's former colleague, Dan White, in San Francisco's City Hall. This tragic event had a significant impact on the city's LGBTQ community, leading to an outpouring of grief and a push for greater rights and recognition.

3. Jedediah Smith: December 8, 1826 marked the day that explorers Jedediah Smith, Thomas "Broken Hand" Fitzpatrick, and William Sublette led the first recorded crossing of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California. Smith was a well-known explorer and mountain man who helped blaze trails across the western United States, opening up new territories for settlement and trade.

4. The 1941 Land Speed Record: On December 8, 1941, racing driver Ab Jenkins set a new land-speed record of 160.25 miles per hour in California's Bonneville Salt Flats. Jenkins was a legendary driver who set over 70 speed records throughout his career.

5. Native American Heritage Day: In 2011, December 8 was officially designated as "Native American Heritage Day" in the state of California. This day recognizes the contributions of California's many Indigenous communities to the state's rich cultural heritage and history. The day is marked with cultural events, parades, and other celebrations throughout the state.