1. On October 8, 1862, the Battle of Perryville, also known as the Battle of Chaplin Hills, took place in Kentucky. Virginia soldiers fought on both sides of the battle, with Confederate General Braxton Bragg leading the Southern forces to victory.

2. In 1914, suffragist Mary Johnston founded the Equal Suffrage League of Virginia, an organization dedicated to promoting women's right to vote. Johnston believed that suffrage was essential for women to achieve equality in all aspects of their lives.

3. On October 8, 1957, the Virginia Supreme Court issued its landmark ruling in Brown v. Board of Education, declaring that segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. The case had been brought by several African American parents in Prince Edward County, Virginia, who had been forced to send their children to segregated schools.

4. Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe declared October 8, 2014, as "Virginia Energy Efficiency Day," highlighting the state's efforts to conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The proclamation was part of a statewide campaign to encourage residents and businesses to adopt more sustainable practices.

5. On October 8, 2018, Virginia Tech's Office of Undergraduate Admissions announced that it would no longer require applicants to submit standardized test scores, such as the SAT or ACT. The move was intended to increase access to higher education for students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.