April 8

April 8 in the history of the Birmingham District:

• 2008: Cordray Parker's "Stough Cross" was dedicated at Carpenter House.
• 2006: The 4th annual Writer's Block graffiti event was held at Sloss Furnaces.
• 2005: Eric Robert Rudolph made a plea agreement with the U. S. Department of Justice.
• 2004: Loretta Nall was nominated for Governor of Alabama by the Libertarian Party.
• 2004: National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice testified before the 9/11 Commission.
• 1998: The 1998 Oak Grove tornado killed 32 in western Jefferson County and destroyed Oak Grove High School.
• 1990: Construction began on the new John Carroll Catholic High School on Lakeshore Parkway.
• 1984: Ted Nugent headlined a concert at Boutwell Auditorium.
• 1976: The Temple of Sibyl was rededicated at its present location at the northern end of Vestavia Hills on U. S. Highway 31 during the Vestavia Hills Dogwood Festival.
• 1972: The newly-renovated Vulcan Park was dedicated.
• 1957: A deadly tornado hit Walker County.
• 1951: An exhibition of paintings marking the inauguration of the Birmingham Museum of Art opened at Birmingham City Hall.
• 1911: 128 miners were killed in the 1911 Banner Mine explosion.
• 1861: Josiah Gorgas was appointed Chief of Ordinance for the Confederate Army.
• 1858: J. J. Jolly married the former Susan Richardson.

Jimmy Tillette, born April 8, 1950

Births

• 1980: Police officer Josh Newman was born in Clanton.
• 1967: Angela Wells was born.
• 1960: Siberian tigers Mandchu, Serpent, Tara and Doutchka were born at the Birmingham Zoo.
• 1950: Basketball coach Jimmy Tillette was born in New Orleans, Louisiana.
• 1939: Alabama Power CEO Elmer Harris was born in Chilton County.
• 1888: Architect David O. Whilldin was born in Philadelphia, Pennsyvania.

Deaths

• 2007: Former Banks High School principal Sid Ingram died in Huntsville.
• 2003: Photographer Spider Martin died at home in Blount Springs.
• 2002: Former Birmingham Stallions owner Marvin L. Warner died in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
• 2001: Grocer Jimmy Hill died from injuries from a beating by 4 teens the day before.
• 1957: Actress Dorothy Sebastian died in Los Angeles, California.
• 1927: Horace DeVaughan, convicted murderer, was executed at Kilby Prison.
• 1906: Powell School principal Mary Cahalan died.

Sports

• 2006: Birmingham Steeldogs 41 - Everett Hawks 36 in the season opener at the BJCC.
• 2003: The Alabama Slammers were eliminated from the WHA2 playoff.
• 2001: New York/New Jersey Hitmen 22 - Birmingham Thunderbolts 0, at Legion Field on the last day of the only XFL season.
• 1991: Montreal Machine 23 - Birmingham Fire 10 at Montreal.
• 1988: Craig Grebeck tied a Birmingham Barons record with 3 home runs in a single game.