TODAY IN HISTORY - 8 July, 2025 - Africa World News

By Valentine Uchechukwu Ndukwu.

History serves two major purposes; one is basically for random reflection and the other is a red hot pointer to some signposts. (V. John Simeon)

Behold some remarkable moments trapped in the distant past

On this day in 1497, Vasco da Gama set sail on the first direct European voyage to India.

Still on this day in 1741, Reverend Jonathan Edwards preached to his congregation in Enfield, Connecticut his most famous sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”; an influence for the First Great Awakening.

In 1933 on this day, the first rugby union test match between the Wallabies of Australia and the Springboks of South Africa was played at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town.

It was on this day in 1966 that King Mwambutsa IV Bangiriceng of Burundi was deposed by his son Prince Charles Ndizi.

Still on this day in 2014, recorded the worst historical defeat of Brazil against Germany with a result of 1-7 in the semi-finals of the 2014 FIFA World Cup that has been dubbed the Mineirazo.

Today is the birthday of Virgil van Dijk. Born on the 8 day of July in 1991, the remarkable player is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for and captains both Premier League club Liverpool and the Netherlands national team. Widely regarded as one of the best defenders of his generation and one of the greatest defenders in Premier League history, he is known for his strength, leadership, speed and aerial ability.