On This Day: A Rebel for the Ages Is Born

And a Queen is Beheaded This message contains graphics. If you do not see the graphics, [click here to view](. February 08 [JAMESDEAN]( JAMES DEAN 1931 WHAT WAS HIS FIRST PROFESSIONAL ACTING ROLE? [READ MORE]( [MARYSCOTS]( MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS BEHEADED 1587 WAS SHE AN ADULTRESS AND MURDERER? [READ MORE]( Advertisement Advertisement MORE EVENTS ON THIS DAY [Verdy, Violette] 2016: French [ballerina]( and dance director [Violette Verdy]( who was known for her eloquent and buoyant dancing, died in Bloomington, Indiana. [Iris Murdoch] 1999: British novelist and philosopher [Dame Iris Murdoch]( wrote more than 25 novels that were distinguished by a mixture of vivid storytelling, cultural allusions, and complex philosophical inquiry—died in Oxford, England. [James Dean in Giant (1956).] 1931: American actor [James Dean]( who became a symbol of the confused, restless, and idealistic youth of the 1950s, was born. [Turner, Lana] 1920/21: American actress [Lana Turner]( a sultry Hollywood glamour queen with a tumultuous private life, was born. [Sherman, William T.] 1820: [American Civil War]( General [William Tecumseh Sherman]( was a major architect of modern warfare, especially known for leading Union forces in crushing campaigns through the South—was born. [U.S. space station Skylab (occupied 1973–74), shown with docked Apollo Command and Service modules.] 1974: The use of [Skylab]( a U.S. [space station]( came to an end after 171 days. [SEE ALL EVENTS ON THIS DAY]( ALSO BORN ON THIS DAY 1932 [John Williams]( American composer and conductor 1931 [James Dean]( American actor 1941 [Nick Nolte]( American actor 1960 [Benigno Aquino III]( president of Philippines 1959 [Mauricio Macri]( president of Argentina 1828 [Jules Verne]( French author [SEE ALL BIOS ON THIS DAY]( Advertisement FOLLOW: [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [YouTube]( To unsubscribe from Britannica e-mails, [click here](. Encyclopædia Britannica 325 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 200 Chicago, Illinois 60654 United States © 2019 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. [Privacy Policy]( • [Help](