1. John Brown's Raid: December 8, 1859 was the date when John Brown was hanged in Charleston, West Virginia for his uprising at Harpers Ferry. John Brown's raid was a pivotal moment in American history and helped to spark the American Civil War.

2. West Virginia Statehood: On December 8, 1863, West Virginia officially became a state. West Virginia was created as a result of the Civil War and split from Virginia due to its decision to secede from the Union.

3. Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day: December 8th is also recognized in West Virginia as Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. On this day in 1941, the Japanese attacked the US naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, which led to the United States' entry into World War II.

4. Service of Women During WWII: During World War II, the first unit of the Women's Army Corps (WAC) was activated at Fort Des Moines, Iowa, on July 10, 1942. On December 8th of that same year in Kearneysville, West Virginia, the 269th Military Police Company, a unit made up entirely of women was activated.

5. Marshall University Plane Crash: On December 8, 1970, a Southern Airways DC-9 crashed into a hill near Huntington, West Virginia, killing all 75 people on board. The victims included the Marshall University football team, coaches, fans, and flight crew. The tragedy is remembered as the deadliest sports-related aviation accident in US history.