1. On October 8, 1970, the Vietnam Moratorium Protest took place in Washington D.C. as an estimated 50,000 demonstrators marched from the Washington Monument to the Capitol Building to protest the Vietnam War.

2. On October 8, 1869, the first public school for African American students in Washington D.C. opened its doors. The school, named the Sumner School, was named after Charles Sumner, a Civil War-era senator and abolitionist.

3. On October 8, 1896, the Daughters of the American Revolution organized the first Columbus Day celebration in Washington D.C. The celebration included a parade, a ceremony at the statue of Christopher Columbus, and a reception at the White House.

4. On October 8, 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed into law a bill establishing the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The NIH is now one of the premier medical research institutions in the world, conducting groundbreaking research in areas such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and genetics.

5. October 8, 1949, marked the first day of operation for the iconic Eastern Market in Washington D.C. Originally built in 1873, the market has served as a hub for local farmers and artisans, and continues to be a beloved community gathering spot.