1. In 1794, the Whiskey Rebellion began in western Pennsylvania. Farmers were upset with a new tax on whiskey and refused to pay it, leading to skirmishes with federal troops. The rebellion was eventually quelled by the government, demonstrating its power to enforce laws and collect taxes.

2. On May 8, 1861, Pennsylvania Governor Andrew Curtin issued a proclamation calling for volunteers to fight for the Union in the Civil War. Pennsylvania was a key state in the conflict, contributing more troops and resources than any other northern state.

3. In 1895, the first automobile race in Pennsylvania was held in Philadelphia. The race was won by a steam-powered car designed by the Duryea Brothers, who would later go on to found the Duryea Motor Wagon Company, one of the first American automobile manufacturers.

4. May 8, 1915 saw the sinking of the RMS Lusitania by a German submarine off the coast of Ireland. Over 1,100 people, including 128 Americans, were killed in the attack. The sinking of the Lusitania was a major event in the lead-up to America's entry into World War I.

5. On May 8, 1958, the first class of women was admitted to Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The college had been all-male since its founding in 1783, but changed its policy in response to social changes and growing demand for women's education. The first female graduates of Dickinson received their degrees in 1962.