1. Battle of Beaufort: On July 8, 1779, the British attacked the town of Beaufort in what became known as the Battle of Beaufort. The Americans were ultimately defeated, but the battle is notable for its use of African American soldiers fighting for the Patriot cause.

2. Opening of the first U.S. Naval Base: On July 8, 1890, the U.S. Naval base at Port Royal Sound was officially established in South Carolina. It would become an important staging ground for U.S. naval operations in the Caribbean and Latin America.

3. First African American to represent South Carolina in Congress: On July 8, 1870, Robert B. Elliott was sworn in as the first African American to represent South Carolina in Congress during the Reconstruction Era. Elliott was a powerful speaker and played a key role in the passage of civil rights legislation.

4. Birth of Arthur Ravenel Jr.: On July 8, 1927, Arthur Ravenel Jr. was born in Charleston, South Carolina. Ravenel would go on to serve in the South Carolina Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, and as the chairman of the Build the Bridge Now group, which successfully campaigned for the construction of the new Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge in Charleston.

5. Charleston Hospital Strike: On July 8, 1969, African American hospital workers in Charleston went on strike for better wages and working conditions. The strike lasted for over 100 days and resulted in significant gains for the workers, including higher wages and the right to form a union.