On This Day - January 8, 2026

George Washington delivers the first State of the Union address to Congress in Federal Hall in New York City.

Congress overrides Andrew Johnson's veto of a bill granting Blacks the right to vote in Washington, D.C. At the time, citizens of D.C. had no representation in Congress, though they did have a local governing body.

BBC TV debuts the television series All Creatures Great and Small based on the autobiographical books by author James Herriot. January 8th Celebrated Birthdays