1. On November 8, 1861, Alabama officially seceded from the United States to join the Confederacy. This decision came after several southern states had already seceded due to tensions over slavery and states' rights.

2. In 1895, the Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now Auburn University) opened its doors for the first time. Today, Auburn University is one of the largest universities in Alabama with over 30,000 students.

3. On November 8, 1921, the first radio station in Alabama, WBRC, began broadcasting in Birmingham. This milestone marked the beginning of a new era of broadcasting in the state.

4. One of the most significant events in Alabama's civil rights history occurred on November 8, 1965. It was on this day that the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested in Selma, Alabama, for participating in a voting rights march. King's arrest drew national attention to the struggle for civil rights in Alabama.

5. The 1994 Alabama Statewide Tornado Outbreak occurred on November 8, and it was one of the deadliest tornado outbreaks in the state's history. At least 22 tornadoes ripped through central Alabama, killing 22 people and causing significant damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure.