diff --git a/changelog.md b/changelog.md
index a39333c..8e19f12 100644
--- a/changelog.md
+++ b/changelog.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # Changelog
 
-## Release 1.8 [unreleased]
+## Release 1.9 [unreleased]
 Brief summary of what's in this release:
 
 
@@ -9,6 +9,24 @@ Brief summary of what's in this release:
 Breaking changes include any database updates needed, if we need to edit any files on system (like .env or certs, etc). Things that are outside of the code itself that need changed for the system to work.
 
 
+### Non-breaking changes
+
+Just a place to keep track of things that have changed in the code that we may want to pay special attention to when smoke testing, etc.
+
+---
+
+# Changelog
+
+## Release 1.8 [Released 10/16/2024]
+Brief summary of what's in this release:
+- increased version number
+- introduced changelog
+
+### Breaking changes
+
+Breaking changes include any database updates needed, if we need to edit any files on system (like .env or certs, etc). Things that are outside of the code itself that need changed for the system to work.
+
+
 ### Non-breaking changes
 
 Just a place to keep track of things that have changed in the code that we may want to pay special attention to when smoke testing, etc.
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 16ae8ce..6c3da9e 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "libra-web",
-  "version": "1.8.0",
+  "version": "1.9.0",
   "private": true,
   "dependencies": {
     "@fortawesome/fontawesome-svg-core": "1.2.36",