1. On December 8, 1858, Colorado Territory was established by an act of Congress. This territory included present-day Colorado, as well as parts of Wyoming, Kansas, Nebraska, and Utah.

2. On December 8, 1886, the infamous outlaw Tom Horn was born in Scotland County, Missouri. Horn spent time in Colorado as a cowboy, a miner, and a detective, before eventually becoming a mercenary and killer.

3. On December 8, 1939, a severe blizzard hit Colorado, causing widespread damage and leaving thousands without power for several days. The storm was especially devastating in the southeastern part of the state, where winds reached up to 70 miles per hour.

4. On December 8, 1987, a fire broke out at the Rocky Flats nuclear weapons plant near Denver, Colorado. The fire caused extensive damage to the facility and raised concerns about the safety of the plant's workers and the surrounding environment.

5. On December 8, 1998, Denver Nuggets player Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf refused to stand for the national anthem before a game against the Chicago Bulls. Abdul-Rauf, a Muslim, had previously refused to participate in the national anthem, citing his religious beliefs. The incident sparked controversy and led to a heated debate about patriotism and freedom of speech in the United States.