Today in history 48

Here are some historical events that occurred on August 8th (48) throughout history:

1945: The United States drops an atomic bomb on Nagasaki, Japan, killing an estimated 39,000-80,000 people immediately. The bombing, along with the earlier bombing of Hiroshima, leads to Japan's surrender and the end of World War II.

1963: The United States and the Soviet Union agree to a nuclear test ban treaty, banning nuclear tests in the atmosphere, outer space, and underwater.

1988: The Soviet Union withdraws its troops from Afghanistan, ending a nine-year occupation.

1990: The United States and the Soviet Union sign a treaty to reduce their nuclear arsenals.

2008: The United States Federal Reserve announces a plan to buy $85 billion in mortgage-backed securities to help stabilize the housing market.

Other events:

• 48 BC: Julius Caesar is stabbed to death by senators in the Roman Senate.
• 1491: Christopher Columbus sets sail from the port of Palos, Spain, on his first voyage to the New World.
• 1865: The 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified, granting citizenship to former slaves.
• 1969: The Woodstock Music & Art Fair opens on a dairy farm in Bethel, New York, featuring performances by Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and The Who.

These are just a few of the many historical events that occurred on August 8th throughout history.