This Day That Year

June 8

in History

Battle of Antioch — An untested general topples an emperor
Antioch, SyriaClassical
218

Battle of Antioch

An untested general topples an emperor

Near the ancient city of Antioch, the legions of the teenage priest-emperor Elagabalus -- commanded by his tutor Gannys, who had never before led troops in battle -- defeated the forces of Emperor Macrinus in a dramatic upset. The inexperienced Gannys rallied his wavering troops at a critical moment, turning what seemed like certain defeat into victory. Macrinus fled the battlefield and was captured and killed, placing the eccentric fourteen-year-old Elagabalus on the throne of Rome.

218 AD
Ralph Yarborough Was Born — Texas finds its progressive conscience
Chandler, Texas, United StatesEarly 20th Century
1903

Ralph Yarborough Was Born

Texas finds its progressive conscience

In Chandler, Texas, Ralph Webster Yarborough was born -- the senator who would become the leading progressive voice in the American South. While most Southern congressmen signed the Southern Manifesto opposing racial integration, Yarborough refused, voting in favor of every major civil rights act from 1957 to 1968. His fourteen-year Senate career proved that the American South could produce leaders of conscience who stood against the tide of prejudice.

1903 AD
1953 Flint–Beecher tornado — An F5 tornado struck Flint and Beecher, Michigan, causing 116 fatalities, 844 injuries and $19 million in damage.
Late 20th Century
1953

1953 Flint–Beecher tornado

An F5 tornado struck Flint and Beecher, Michigan, causing 116 fatalities, 844 injuries and $19 million in damage.

An F5 tornado struck Flint and Beecher, Michigan, causing 116 fatalities, 844 injuries and $19 million in damage during a larger tornado outbreak sequence.

1953 AD