1. The Battle of Charleston Harbor began on April 8, 1863, as Union forces attempted to take control of Charleston, South Carolina during the Civil War. The battle lasted for several weeks and resulted in significant damage to the city.

2. On April 8, 1913, Governor Coleman Blease signed into law the "Blease Dispensary Bill," which effectively reopened the state-run liquor stores that had been closed down several years earlier. The move was controversial and sparked protests among temperance advocates.

3. In 1973, the medical drama "Marcus Welby, M.D." aired an episode titled "The Dark Side of the Earth," which was set in South Carolina. The episode dealt with the controversial issue of forced sterilization, which had been practiced in the state for several decades.

4. On April 8, 1974, the South Carolina State House was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The building, completed in 1907, is the seat of the state government and is known for its distinctive dome and classical architecture.

5. On this day in 2006, the University of South Carolina Gamecocks baseball team won their 40th consecutive home game, breaking a longstanding NCAA record. The streak began on March 5, 2005, and lasted until April 1, 2007.