Today in History: An earthquake in Kashmir killed more than 86,000 people and left 2.8 million homeless in 2005

The following are some of the major events that occurred on October 8:

451 – Council of Chalcedon begins
The first session of the Council of Chalcedon, the fourth ecumenical council of the Christian Church, opened on October 8, 451. This landmark council issued the Chalcedonian Definition affirming that Christ has two natures – divine and human – in one person. Its decisions had far-reaching impact, shaping orthodox Christian doctrine and prompting schisms with certain Eastern churches that rejected its teachings.

1480 – Great Stand on the Ugra River
On October 8, 1480, a standoff between the Grand Duchy of Moscow and the Mongol-led Great Horde began along the Ugra River, effectively ending Tatar rule over Moscow. The confrontation concluded with the retreat of the Mongol forces. Russians later viewed this moment as the end of the “Mongol yoke,” paving the way for the rise of an independent Russian state centered on Moscow.

1769 – Cook lands in New Zealand
British explorer Captain James Cook became one of the first Europeans to set foot in New Zealand when he landed at Poverty Bay on October 8, 1769. Cook’s landing led to the first detailed mapping of New Zealand and significant contact with the indigenous Māori people. His expedition documented the islands’ people, flora, and fauna, marking the beginning of sustained European involvement in New Zealand’s history.

1829 – Stephenson’s Rocket wins the Rainhill Trials
On October 8, 1829, the steam locomotive Rocket, designed by George Stephenson, won the Rainhill Trials competition in England. The trials determined the best locomotive for the new Liverpool & Manchester Railway, and Rocket’s victory proved the viability of steam locomotives for passenger transport. This success helped usher in the railway age worldwide, revolutionizing 19th-century transportation.

1856 – Second Opium War begins
The Second Opium War erupted on October 8, 1856, when Chinese officials boarded the vessel Arrow in Canton, sparking a conflict with Britain. France later joined the war on Britain’s side. The conflict ended in defeat for the Qing dynasty, forcing China to sign unequal treaties that legalized the opium trade and opened additional ports to Western powers. The war deepened China’s “Century of Humiliation” under colonial pressures.

1871 – Great Chicago Fire ignites
On the night of October 8, 1871, a fire broke out in Chicago that would grow into the infamous Great Chicago Fire. Fueled by drought and strong winds, the blaze destroyed large swathes of the city and killed around 300 people. On the same night, the Peshtigo Fire in Wisconsin – the deadliest wildfire in U.S. history – killed about 1,200 people. In total, dozens of fires erupted across the Great Lakes region on October 8, 1871, making it one of the most destructive fire outbreaks on record.

1895 – Assassination of Empress Myeongseong of Korea
In the early hours of October 8, 1895, Empress Myeongseong of Korea – known as Queen Min – was assassinated by Japanese agents at Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul. She had been a key figure opposing Japanese interference in Korea. Her murder provoked international outrage and anti-Japanese protests across Korea, clearing the way for increased Japanese influence that culminated in Korea’s annexation a decade later.

1939 – Nazi Germany annexes western Poland
On October 8, 1939, Nazi Germany formally annexed western Polish territories, including parts of Greater Poland and the Free City of Danzig. The remainder of occupied Poland was placed under a German colonial administration called the General Government. The annexation implemented the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact between Germany and the Soviet Union, partitioning Poland and erasing it as an independent state.

1967 – Che Guevara captured in Bolivia
On October 8, 1967, Marxist revolutionary Ernesto “Che” Guevara was captured by the Bolivian army after a skirmish in the highlands, with support from CIA advisers. Wounded and taken prisoner, he was executed the following day. His death ended his guerrilla campaign but transformed him into a global icon of revolutionary struggle, inspiring movements worldwide.

2005 – Devastating Kashmir earthquake
On October 8, 2005, a 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck the Kashmir region of South Asia, with its epicenter near Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The quake killed about 86,000 people, injured more than 70,000, and left 2.8 million homeless. It was one of the worst natural disasters in the region’s history, prompting a massive international humanitarian response.