1. The Great Fire of 1906: On September 8, 1906, a massive fire broke out in San Francisco, causing devastating damage to the city. The fire started in an old warehouse and quickly spread to nearby buildings due to strong winds. It burned for nearly three days and destroyed over 500 city blocks, leaving an estimated 250,000 people homeless.

2. The Birth of Los Angeles: September 8, 1781, marks the founding of Los Angeles by Spanish settlers. The city was established as a small farming community named El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles de Porciúncula, which means "The Town of Our Lady of the Angels of Porciúncula."

3. First GM Electric Car: On September 8, 1990, General Motors introduced the first electric car called the EV1 in California. It was a two-seater car that could go up to 80 miles on a single charge. However, despite its eco-friendliness, it was later discontinued and all vehicles were recalled by GM in 2003.

4. First California Earthquake: September 8, 1865, was the date of the first recorded earthquake in California's history. The earthquake was centered in the San Francisco Bay Area and had a magnitude of 6.3. Although it caused significant damage to buildings in the area, no deaths were reported.

5. The Birth of Patrick Swayze: September 8, 1952, is the birth date of actor and dancer Patrick Swayze. Although he was born in Houston, Texas, Swayze spent much of his career in California, starring in iconic movies like Dirty Dancing and Ghost. He also lived in Los Angeles for many years before his death in 2009.