December 8

1864 – The Clifton Suspension Bridge, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, is finally opened in Bristol, five years after his death.

1941 – US President Franklin D Roosevelt delivers “Day of Infamy” speech to US Congress a day after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

1961 – Cricketers Eddie Barlow and Peter Pollock make their Test debuts against New Zealand in Durban.

1998 – 81 people are killed by armed groups in Algeria in the Tadjena massacre.