1602day.year
The Bodleian Library at the University of Oxford is opened to the public.
In 1602, the Bodleian Library at Oxford opened its doors to scholars and the public, becoming one of Europe's oldest libraries.
The Bodleian Library officially opened for public use on 8 November 1602. Founded by Sir Thomas Bodley, it revitalized Oxford’s manuscript collections. Bound by ordinance, the library mandated scholars to return borrowed books promptly. Its extensive holdings attracted intellectuals from across Europe. Over time, the Bodleian amassed rare manuscripts, maps, and early printed works. Architecturally, Duke Humfrey’s Library remains a landmark of medieval design. Today, it is a research cornerstone and symbol of academic heritage.
1602
Bodleian Library
University of Oxford
1920day.year
Rupert Bear, illustrated by Mary Tourtel makes his first appearance in print.
Rupert Bear, illustrated by Mary Tourtel, made his first appearance in the London Daily Express on November 8, 1920.
On November 8, 1920, artist Mary Tourtel introduced Rupert Bear to readers of the London Daily Express.
Rupert, known for his yellow jumper and checkered trousers, embarked on whimsical adventures in the fictional village of Nutwood.
Tourtel's charming illustrations and gentle storytelling captured the hearts of both children and adults.
In 1935, Alfred Bestall took over the strip, expanding Rupert's world with new characters and more elaborate plots.
Under Bestall's guidance, Rupert Bear evolved into an enduring British icon, appearing in annuals, merchandise, and translations.
His adventures combined humor, fantasy, and moral lessons, setting a template for future children's comics.
Today, Rupert Bear continues to be celebrated in books, television, and special exhibitions.
1920
Rupert Bear
Mary Tourtel
1937day.year
The Nazi exhibition Der ewige Jude ("The Eternal Jew") opens in Munich.
The Nazi propaganda exhibition “Der ewige Jude” opened in Munich on November 8, 1937, promoting virulent anti-Semitic stereotypes.
On November 8, 1937, the Nazi regime unveiled “Der ewige Jude” (The Eternal Jew) in Munich as a state-sponsored propaganda exhibition.
Curated by Joseph Goebbels’s Ministry of Propaganda, the display used images, texts, and staged scenes to dehumanize Jewish people.
Visitors were subjected to false claims about Jewish influence in finance, culture, and society.
The exhibition attracted hundreds of thousands of Germans, reinforcing Nazi anti-Semitic ideology.
It toured major German cities and provided a sinister backdrop to escalating persecution of Jewish communities.
Historians view it as a chilling example of how visual propaganda can mobilize public opinion for genocide.
The legacy of “Der ewige Jude” serves as a warning about the power of hate-driven state propaganda.
1937
Nazi
Der ewige Jude
Munich
1972day.year
American pay television network Home Box Office (HBO) launches.
Home Box Office (HBO) launched in 1972, pioneering premium subscription television in the U.S.
On November 8, 1972, Home Box Office (HBO) began broadcasting as America’s first pay cable television service.
Initially available in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, HBO offered uncut films and sporting events without commercial interruption.
The network’s early success was driven by partnerships with local cable companies and film distributors.
HBO set a new standard for television programming quality and viewer choice.
Over the decades, it evolved into a major producer of original series, films, and documentaries.
Its innovative model reshaped the entertainment industry and influenced the rise of premium streaming services.
1972
Home Box Office (HBO)