1. On March 8, 1861, the Mississippi State Convention adopted a resolution to secede from the United States and join the Confederacy. This decision was a pivotal moment in the buildup to the Civil War.

2. March 8, 1894 marked the birth of famous Mississippi author, William Faulkner. Born in New Albany, Mississippi, Faulkner went on to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1949 for his impactful works dealing with issues of race, class, and southern identity.

3. One of the most significant events in the Civil Rights Movement occurred on March 8, 1965 when African American voting rights activist James Meredith began his solo walk from Memphis, Tennessee to Jackson, Mississippi in an effort to draw attention to the ongoing struggle for civil rights. Meredith’s walk was fraught with danger and he required constant protection, but his determination and bravery inspired many across the country.

4. In Jackson, Mississippi on March 8, 1973, local businessman and activist Hilton Edwards became the first African American elected to the city’s Chamber of Commerce. Edwards’ election represented a significant milestone in the city’s efforts to overcome its legacy of racial inequality and segregation.

5. On March 8, 2014, the Mississippi History Museum opened its doors to the public in downtown Jackson. The museum is dedicated to highlighting the state’s rich cultural heritage and features a range of exhibits covering topics from the Mississippian period to the present day.