1. In 1896, the first ever automobile race took place in Florida on October 8. The race covered a distance of 50 miles from the city of Tampa to Lakeland.

2. On October 8, 1945, the worst hurricane in Florida’s history made landfall. The Category 4 storm brought winds that reached up to 185 mph, leaving a trail of destruction and claiming the lives of nearly 400 people.

3. In 1981, the City of Miami became the first municipality in the US to pass a Domestic Partnership Ordinance which recognized same-sex relationships. The ordinance was passed on October 8, making it a historic day for the LGBTQ+ community.

4. October 8, 2005, was when the Miami Heat played their first preseason game against the Indiana Pacers at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida. The Heat won the game 97-81 and went on to win their first NBA championship the following year.

5. In 2016, Hurricane Matthew made landfall on October 8 in Florida. The Category 4 storm caused significant damage along the state’s east coast, resulting in the evacuation of nearly 2 million people.