December 8 is an important day for Pennsylvania history as it was witness to many significant historical events. Here are five interesting facts about December 8 in Pennsylvania history:

1. On December 8, 1853, Milton S. Hershey, the founder of the Hershey Chocolate Company, was born in the town of Derry Church, Pennsylvania. Hershey went on to create one of the largest chocolate empires in the world and was known for his philanthropic efforts.

2. The famous American poet Archibald MacLeish was born in Glencoe, Illinois, on December 8, 1892. MacLeish served as the Librarian of Congress and was awarded three Pulitzer Prizes for his poetry.

3. In 1941, the United States officially entered World War II after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7. On December 8, 1941, Governor Arthur James declared a state of emergency in Pennsylvania and ordered the National Guard to report for duty.

4. The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), which is headquartered in Philadelphia, was founded on December 8, 1907. The AACR is the oldest and largest scientific association dedicated to cancer research in the world.

5. On December 8, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln's famous letter to Mrs. Bixby was published in the Boston Evening Transcript. The letter was written to Mrs. Lydia Bixby, a widow who had lost five sons fighting for the Union during the Civil War, and expressed Lincoln's condolences and prayers. The authenticity of the letter has been debated over the years, but it remains a powerful symbol of Lincoln's empathy and compassion towards those affected by war.