Today in History on September 8th
1504 – Michelangelo's David Unveiled: Michelangelo's masterpiece, the statue of David, was unveiled in Florence, Italy. The sculpture, representing the Biblical hero, became a symbol of the defense of civil liberties in the Republic of Florence, and is regarded as one of the greatest works of art in history.
1565 – Founding of St. Augustine: Spanish explorer Pedro Menéndez de Avilés founded St. Augustine in Florida. It became the oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement in the United States, playing a key role in Spanish colonization efforts in the Americas.
1855 – End of the Siege of Sevastopol: The Siege of Sevastopol, a major event during the Crimean War, ended when Russian forces abandoned the city after nearly a year-long siege by British, French, and Ottoman troops. This defeat weakened Russia's position in the war and was a turning point in the conflict.
1900 – Galveston Hurricane: The deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history, the Galveston Hurricane, struck Galveston, Texas. With winds of up to 145 mph (233 km/h), it killed between 6,000 and 12,000 people and destroyed much of the city.