1. On January 8, 1847, the California Republic was established in Monterey by a group of American settlers. The republic lasted for 25 days, until American forces raised the American flag over the town and claimed California for the United States.

2. In 1902, the first Tournament of Roses parade was held in Pasadena on January 1, but due to inclement weather it was postponed until January 8. The parade has since become a beloved New Year's Day tradition in California.

3. On January 8, 1935, Elvis Presley, the "King of Rock and Roll," was born in Tupelo, Mississippi. While not a California native, Presley made his mark on the state by recording many of his most iconic hits at Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, and performing countless concerts in California throughout his career.

4. In 1973, the University of California, Irvine was designated a research institution by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education. Today, UCI is considered one of the top universities in the world, with a renowned faculty and innovative research programs in a variety of fields.

5. On January 8, 2010, a devastating mudslide occurred in La Canada Flintridge, a suburb of Los Angeles, after days of heavy rain. The mudslide destroyed dozens of homes, damaged roads and bridges, and resulted in the deaths of two people. The disaster highlighted the need for improved infrastructure and emergency preparedness in the region.