Today in US History: From Gnadenhutten massacre to Muhammad Ali– Joe Frazier ‘Fight of the Century’, key events on March 8

Today in US History: March 8 marks a series of significant and contrasting moments—from tragedy on the American frontier to pivotal events in war, sports, and Cold War rhetoric. In 1782, Pennsylvania militiamen carried out the Gnadenhutten massacre, killing 96 Christian Indians in the Ohio Country.

Nearly two centuries later, in 1965, U.S. Marines landed at Da Nang in South Vietnam, marking the beginning of large-scale American ground involvement in the Vietnam War. The date also witnessed one of boxing’s most iconic moments in 1971, when Muhammad Ali faced Joe Frazier in the “Fight of the Century” at Madison Square Garden.

In 1983, President Ronald Reagan intensified Cold War tensions when he referred to the Soviet Union as an “evil empire” during a speech to evangelical leaders.



1782: Pennsylvania militiamen killed Patriot allies

On March 8, 1782, a group of 160 Pennsylvania militiamen killed 96 Christian Indians, 39 children, 29 women, and 28 men at their Moravian mission in Gnadenhutten in the Ohio Country, according to online platform History. The victims, who were unarmed and kneeling in prayer while singing hymns, were struck from behind with mallets.

After carrying out the killings, the Patriots stacked the bodies inside the mission buildings and later set the entire settlement on fire, burning the community to the ground.


1965: U.S. Marines land at Da Nang

The USS Henrico, USS Union, and USS Vancouver, transporting the 9th Marine Expeditionary Brigade led by Brig. Gen. Frederick J. Karch, positioned themselves about 4,000 yards off Red Beach Two, located north of Da Nang, according to online platform History.

1971: ‘Fight of the century’ at Madison Square Garden

On March 8, 1971, Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier met for the “Fight of the Century” at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

The fight marked Ali’s return to the spotlight three and a half years after boxing commissions revoked his license because he refused to serve in the Vietnam War. It also represented his first opportunity to reclaim the heavyweight championship title, which had been taken from him by the World Boxing Association (WBA).

1983: US ex-President Reagan refers to the USSR. as ‘evil empire’ for second time

On March 8, 1983, President Ronald Reagan publicly refers to the Soviet Union as an "evil empire" for the second time in his career while speaking to a convention of the National Association of Evangelicals in Florida. According to the History website, he had first used the phrase in a 1982 speech at the British House of Commons.