A closer look at key historic events that took place on July 8:

In 2010, Christopher Nolan’s film Inception premiers in London

Inception, a science fiction thriller starring Leonardo DiCaprio, explores the concept of dream invasion and manipulation. The film was acclaimed for its visual effects and complex narrative structure, becoming a significant success both commercially and critically.

In 2000, Serena Williams wins her first Grand Slam singles title

Serena Williams claimed her maiden Grand Slam singles victory at the US Open, defeating Martina Hingis in the final. It marked the beginning of Williams’ illustrious tennis career, during which she became one of the most successful and influential athletes in the sport’s history.

Tennis – French Open – Roland Garros, Paris, France – June 2, 2018 Serena Williams of the U.S. celebrates winning her third round match against Germany’s Julia Goerges REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes

In 1996, the Spice Girls release their debut single “Wannabe”

“Wannabe” quickly became a global hit, topping the charts in 37 countries and launching the Spice Girls to international fame. The song’s catchy tune and message of friendship and empowerment resonated with fans, making it a pop anthem of the 1990s.

LON01:LONDON,4DEC99 – The British pop band, the Spice Girls (L-R) Emma Bunton, Melanie Chisholm, Victoria Beckham, and Melanie Gulzar pose in an official publicity photograph released, December 3. Bunton, Chisholm and Gulzar have all launched solo careers in the past year, but deny any reports that the band has split up. hp/HO REUTERS

In 1889, journalist Charles Henry Dow publishes the first edition of the Wall Street Journal

Founded by Dow and his partners, Edward Jones and Charles Bergstresser, the Wall Street Journal sought to provide business and financial news. It has since grown into one of the world’s most respected and widely-read financial publications, whom we are proud to call our publishing partners.

Charles Dow. By Unknown author – http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic-art/170373/10135/Charles-Henry-Dow#assembly=url~%2FEBchecked%2Ftopic-art%2F170373%2F10135%2FCharles-Henry-Dow, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4965312

In 1777, Vermont becomes the first state to prohibit slavery

The Vermont Republic, which was an independent state before joining the United States, abolished slavery in its new constitution. This progressive move set a precedent for other states in the fight against slavery and human rights violations.

In 1497, Vasco da Gama sets sail for India for his first voyage to the country

The Portuguese explorer departed from Lisbon with a fleet of four ships on July 8, embarking on a historic expedition to find a sea route to India. This journey eventually led to the establishment of a direct maritime link between Europe and Asia, significantly impacting global trade.

By Sailko – Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=61575307

– Don’t miss out on To Vima’s daily “On this Day in History” posts.