On This Day — May 8

Famous events, births, and deaths from May 8 in history, plus the public holidays, religious observances, sports, and national days happening on this date today.

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44 events · 266 births · 120 deaths recorded for May 8.

🕰️ Notable Events on May 8

1997 — A China Southern Airlines Flight 3456 crashes on approach into Bao'an International Airport, killing 35 people. Wikipedia ↗
1988 — A fire at Illinois Bell's Hinsdale Central Office triggers an extended 1AESS network outage once considered the "worst telecommunications disaster in US telephone industry history". Wikipedia ↗
1987 — The Loughgall ambush: The SAS kills eight Provisional Irish Republican Army volunteers and a civilian during an ambush in Loughgall, Northern Ireland. Wikipedia ↗
1984 — Corporal Denis Lortie enters the Quebec National Assembly and opens fire, killing three people and wounding 13. René Jalbert, Sergeant-at-Arms of the assembly, succeeds in calming him, for which he will later receive the Cross of Valour. Wikipedia ↗
1984 — The Thames Barrier is officially opened. Wikipedia ↗
1980 — The World Health Organization confirms the eradication of smallpox. Wikipedia ↗
1978 — The first ascent of Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen, by Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler. Wikipedia ↗
1976 — The rollercoaster The New Revolution, the first steel coaster with a vertical loop, opens at Six Flags Magic Mountain. Wikipedia ↗
1973 — A 71-day standoff between federal authorities and the American Indian Movement members occupying the Pine Ridge Reservation at Wounded Knee, South Dakota ends with the surrender of the militants. Wikipedia ↗
1972 — Vietnam War: U.S. President Richard Nixon announces his order to place mines in major North Vietnamese ports in order to stem the flow of weapons and other goods to that nation. Wikipedia ↗
1967 — The Philippine province of Davao is split into three: Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, and Davao Oriental. Wikipedia ↗
1963 — South Vietnamese soldiers under the Roman Catholic President Ngo Dinh Diem open fire on Buddhists defying a ban on the flying of the Buddhist flag on Vesak, killing nine and sparking the Buddhist crisis. Wikipedia ↗
1946 — Estonian schoolgirls Aili Jõgi and Ageeda Paavel blow up the Soviet memorial which stood in front of the Bronze Soldier of Tallinn. Wikipedia ↗
1945 — Hundreds of Algerian civilians are killed by French Army soldiers in the Sétif massacre. Wikipedia ↗
1945 — World War II: V-E Day, combat ends in Europe. German forces agree in Reims, France, to an unconditional surrender. Wikipedia ↗
1945 — End of the Prague uprising, celebrated now as a national holiday in the Czech Republic. Wikipedia ↗
1945 — The Halifax riot starts when thousands of civilians and servicemen rampage through Halifax. Wikipedia ↗
1942 — World War II: The Battle of the Kerch Peninsula: The German 11th Army begins Operation Trappenjagd (Bustard Hunt) and destroys the bridgehead of the three Soviet Armies (44th, 47th, and 51st) defending the Kerch Peninsula, in the eastern part of the Crimea. Wikipedia ↗
1942 — World War II: The Battle of the Coral Sea comes to an end with Imperial Japanese Navy aircraft carrier aircraft attacking and sinking the United States Navy aircraft carrier USS Lexington. The battle marks the first time in the naval history that two enemy fleets fight without visual contact between warring ships. Wikipedia ↗
1942 — World War II: Gunners of the Ceylon Garrison Artillery on Horsburgh Island in the Cocos Islands rebel in the Cocos Islands Mutiny. Their mutiny is crushed and three of them are executed, the only British Commonwealth soldiers to be executed for mutiny during the Second World War. Wikipedia ↗
1941 — The German Luftwaffe launches a bombing raid on Nottingham and Derby Wikipedia ↗
1933 — Mohandas Gandhi begins a 21-day fast of self-purification and launched a one-year campaign to help the Harijan movement. Wikipedia ↗
1927 — Attempting to make the first non-stop transatlantic flight from Paris to New York, French war heroes Charles Nungesser and François Coli disappear after taking off aboard The White Bird biplane. Wikipedia ↗
1924 — The Klaipėda Convention is signed formally incorporating Klaipėda Region (Memel Territory) into Lithuania. Wikipedia ↗
1919 — Edward George Honey proposes the idea of a moment of silence to commemorate the Armistice of 11 November 1918 which ended World War I. Wikipedia ↗
1912 — Paramount Pictures is founded. Wikipedia ↗
1902 — In Martinique, Mount Pelée erupts, destroying the town of Saint-Pierre and killing over 30,000 people. Only a handful of residents survive the blast. Wikipedia ↗
1899 — The Irish Literary Theatre in Dublin produced its first play. Wikipedia ↗
1898 — The first games of the Italian football league system are played. Wikipedia ↗
1886 — Pharmacist John Pemberton first sells a carbonated beverage named "Coca-Cola" as a patent medicine. Wikipedia ↗
1877 — At Gilmore's Gardens in New York City, the first Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show opens. Wikipedia ↗
1861 — American Civil War: Richmond, Virginia is named the capital of the Confederate States of America. Wikipedia ↗
1846 — Mexican-American War: The Battle of Palo Alto: Zachary Taylor defeats a Mexican force north of the Rio Grande in the first major battle of the war. Wikipedia ↗
1842 — A train derails and catches fire in Paris, killing between 52 and 200 people. Wikipedia ↗
1821 — Greek War of Independence: The Greeks defeat the Turks at the Battle of Gravia Inn. Wikipedia ↗
1794 — Branded a traitor during the Reign of Terror by revolutionists, French chemist Antoine Lavoisier, who was also a tax collector with the Ferme générale, is tried, convicted and guillotined in one day in Paris. Wikipedia ↗
1788 — The French Parlement is suspended to be replaced by the creation of forty-seven new courts. Wikipedia ↗
1541 — Hernando de Soto reaches the Mississippi River and names it Río de Espíritu Santo. Wikipedia ↗
1516 — Trần Cảo Rebellion: A group of imperial guards, led by Trịnh Duy Sản, murdered Emperor Lê Tương Dực and fled, leaving the capital Thăng Long undefended. Wikipedia ↗
1450 — Jack Cade's Rebellion: Kentishmen revolt against King Henry VI. Wikipedia ↗
1429 — Joan of Arc lifts the Siege of Orléans, turning the tide of the Hundred Years' War. Wikipedia ↗
589 — Reccared I summons the Third Council of Toledo. Wikipedia ↗
413 — Emperor Honorius signs an edict providing tax relief for the Italian provinces Tuscia, Campania, Picenum, Samnium, Apulia, Lucania and Calabria, which were plundered by the Visigoths. Wikipedia ↗
Spring and Autumn period: The house of Zhao defeats the house of Zhi, ending the Battle of Jinyang, a military conflict between the elite families of the State of Jin. Wikipedia ↗

🎂 Notable Births on May 8

1992 — Kevin Hayes, American ice hockey player Wikipedia ↗
1991 — Ethan Gage, Canadian soccer player Wikipedia ↗
1991 — Valentijn Lietmeijer, Dutch basketball player Wikipedia ↗
1991 — Anamaria Tămârjan, Romanian gymnast Wikipedia ↗
1990 — Kemba Walker, American basketball player Wikipedia ↗
1989 — Liam Bridcutt, English footballer Wikipedia ↗
1989 — Lars Eller, Danish ice hockey player Wikipedia ↗
1989 — Dinesh Patel, Indian baseball player Wikipedia ↗
1988 — Tanel Kurbas, Estonian basketball player Wikipedia ↗
1988 — Maicon Pereira de Oliveira, Brazilian footballer (d. 2014) Wikipedia ↗
1988 — David Aleksander Sjølie, Norwegian guitarist Wikipedia ↗
1987 — Aneurin Barnard, Welsh actor and singer Wikipedia ↗
1987 — Felix Jones, American football player Wikipedia ↗
1987 — Aarne Nirk, Estonian hurdler Wikipedia ↗
1987 — Mark Noble, English footballer Wikipedia ↗
1987 — Kurt Tippett, Australian footballer Wikipedia ↗
1986 — Pemra Özgen, Turkish tennis player Wikipedia ↗
1986 — Galen Rupp, American runner Wikipedia ↗
1986 — Marvell Wynne, American soccer player Wikipedia ↗
1985 — Tommaso Ciampa, American wrestler Wikipedia ↗
1985 — Devon Soltendieck, Canadian journalist and game show host Wikipedia ↗
1985 — Silvia Stroescu, Romanian gymnast Wikipedia ↗
1985 — Sarah Vaillancourt, Canadian ice hockey player Wikipedia ↗
1985 — Usama Young, American football player Wikipedia ↗
1984 — Nadine Chandrawinata, German-Indonesian model and actress Wikipedia ↗
1984 — David King, English figure skater Wikipedia ↗
1983 — Elyes Gabel, English actor Wikipedia ↗
1983 — Juan Martin Goity, Argentinian-German rugby player Wikipedia ↗
1983 — Bershawn Jackson, American hurdler Wikipedia ↗
1983 — Lawrence Vickers, American football player Wikipedia ↗
1982 — Buakaw Banchamek, Thai kick-boxer Wikipedia ↗
1982 — Christina Cole, English actress Wikipedia ↗
1982 — Adrian Gonzalez, American baseball player Wikipedia ↗
1981 — Andrea Barzagli, Italian footballer Wikipedia ↗
1981 — Tatyana Dektyareva, Russian hurdler Wikipedia ↗
1981 — Björn Dixgård, Swedish singer-songwriter and guitarist Wikipedia ↗
1981 — Manny Gamburyan, Armenian-American mixed martial artist Wikipedia ↗
1981 — John Maine, American baseball player Wikipedia ↗
1980 — Keyon Dooling, American basketball player Wikipedia ↗
1980 — Panagiotis Kafkis, Greek basketball player Wikipedia ↗
1980 — Evgeny Lebedev, Russian-English publisher and philanthropist Wikipedia ↗
1980 — Michelle McManus, Scottish singer-songwriter and actress Wikipedia ↗
1980 — Benny Yau, Hong Kong-Canadian actor and singer Wikipedia ↗
1979 — Ole Morten Vågan, Norwegian bassist Wikipedia ↗
1978 — Lúcio, Brazilian footballer Wikipedia ↗
1978 — Jang Woo-hyuk, South Korean rapper and dancer Wikipedia ↗
1977 — Joe Bonamassa, American singer-songwriter and guitarist Wikipedia ↗
1977 — Bad News Brown, Canadian rapper, harmonica player, and actor (d. 2011) Wikipedia ↗
1977 — Theodoros Papaloukas, Greek basketball player Wikipedia ↗
1977 — Kathrin Bringmann, German mathematician and academic Wikipedia ↗
1976 — Gonçalo Abecasis, Portuguese-American biochemist and academic Wikipedia ↗
1976 — Martha Wainwright, Canadian-American singer-songwriter and guitarist Wikipedia ↗
1976 — Ian "H" Watkins, Welsh singer-songwriter, dancer, and actor Wikipedia ↗
1975 — Enrique Iglesias, Spanish-American singer-songwriter, producer, and actor Wikipedia ↗
1975 — Jussi Markkanen, Finnish ice hockey player Wikipedia ↗
1975 — Gastón Mazzacane, Argentinian race car driver Wikipedia ↗
1975 — Dmitri Ustritski, Estonian footballer Wikipedia ↗
1974 — Marge Kõrkjas, Estonian swimmer Wikipedia ↗
1974 — Korey Stringer, American football player (d. 2001) Wikipedia ↗
1973 — Hiromu Arakawa, Japanese author and illustrator Wikipedia ↗
1973 — Jesús Arellano, Mexican footballer Wikipedia ↗
1973 — Marcus Brigstocke, English comedian, actor, and screenwriter Wikipedia ↗
1972 — Darren Hayes, Australian singer-songwriter Wikipedia ↗
1972 — Ray Whitney, Canadian ice hockey player Wikipedia ↗
1971 — Chuck Huber, American voice actor, director, and screenwriter Wikipedia ↗
1971 — Candice Night, American singer-songwriter Wikipedia ↗
1970 — Michael Bevan, Australian cricketer and coach Wikipedia ↗
1970 — Naomi Klein, Canadian author and activist Wikipedia ↗
1970 — Luis Enrique, Spanish footballer and manager Wikipedia ↗
1969 — Jonny Searle, English rower Wikipedia ↗
1969 — Akebono Tarō, American-Japanese sumo wrestler, the 64th Yokozuna Wikipedia ↗
1969 — John Timu, New Zealand rugby player Wikipedia ↗
1968 — Teet Kask, Estonian ballet dancer and choreographer Wikipedia ↗
1968 — Nathalie Normandeau, Canadian politician, Deputy Premier of Quebec Wikipedia ↗
1968 — Johan Pehrson, Swedish lawyer and politician Wikipedia ↗
1967 — Viviana Durante, Italian ballerina and actress Wikipedia ↗
1967 — Angus Scott, British sports television presenter Wikipedia ↗
1966 — Cláudio Taffarel, Brazilian footballer and coach Wikipedia ↗
1964 — Päivi Alafrantti, Finnish javelin thrower Wikipedia ↗
1964 — Melissa Gilbert, American actress and director Wikipedia ↗
1964 — Bobby Labonte, American race car driver Wikipedia ↗
1964 — Nathalie Roy, Canadian lawyer and politician Wikipedia ↗
1964 — Dave Rowntree, English drummer and animator Wikipedia ↗
1964 — Metin Tekin, Turkish footballer, manager, and journalist Wikipedia ↗
1963 — Sylvain Cossette, Canadian singer-songwriter Wikipedia ↗
1963 — Anthony Field, Australian guitarist, songwriter, producer, and actor Wikipedia ↗
1963 — Michel Gondry, French director and screenwriter Wikipedia ↗
1963 — Izabela Kloc, Polish politician Wikipedia ↗
1963 — Aleksandr Kovalenko, Belarusian triple jumper Wikipedia ↗
1963 — Rick Zombo, American ice hockey player and coach Wikipedia ↗
1962 — Natalia Molchanova, Russian diver (d. 2015) Wikipedia ↗
1962 — David Sole, Scottish rugby player Wikipedia ↗
1961 — Bill de Blasio, American politician, 109th Mayor of New York City Wikipedia ↗
1961 — Gert Kruys, Dutch footballer and manager Wikipedia ↗
1961 — Vallo Reimaa, Estonian academic and politician Wikipedia ↗
1961 — David Winning, Canadian-American director, producer, and screenwriter Wikipedia ↗
1960 — Franco Baresi, Italian footballer and coach Wikipedia ↗
1960 — Eric Brittingham, American bass player Wikipedia ↗
1959 — Ronnie Lott, American football player and sportscaster Wikipedia ↗
1959 — David Manners, 11th Duke of Rutland, English politician Wikipedia ↗
1959 — Ikue Sakakibara, Japanese actress and singer Wikipedia ↗
1958 — Roddy Doyle, Irish novelist, playwright, and screenwriter Wikipedia ↗
1958 — Simone Kleinsma, Dutch actress and singer Wikipedia ↗
1958 — Brooks Newmark, American-English businessman and politician, Lord of the Treasury Wikipedia ↗
1958 — Lovie Smith, American football player and coach Wikipedia ↗
1957 — Bill Cowher, American football player and coach Wikipedia ↗
1957 — Rino Katase, Japanese actress Wikipedia ↗
1957 — Gary Lunn, Canadian lawyer and politician, 6th Canadian Minister of Natural Resources Wikipedia ↗
1956 — Jeff Wincott, Canadian actor and martial artist Wikipedia ↗
1955 — Stephen Furst, American actor and director Wikipedia ↗
1955 — Mladen Markač, Croatian general Wikipedia ↗
1954 — Pam Arciero, American puppeteer and voice actress Wikipedia ↗
1954 — David Keith, American actor and director Wikipedia ↗
1954 — John Michael Talbot, American singer-songwriter and guitarist Wikipedia ↗
1953 — Billy Burnette, American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and actor Wikipedia ↗
1953 — Alex Van Halen, Dutch-American drummer Wikipedia ↗
1952 — Peter McNab, Canadian ice hockey player and sportscaster Wikipedia ↗
1951 — Philip Bailey, American singer-songwriter, drummer, and actor Wikipedia ↗
1951 — Mike D'Antoni, American basketball player and coach Wikipedia ↗
1951 — Chris Frantz, American drummer and producer Wikipedia ↗
1950 — Robert Mugge, American director and producer Wikipedia ↗
1950 — Lepo Sumera, Estonian composer and educator (d. 2000) Wikipedia ↗
1949 — David Vines, Australian economist and academic Wikipedia ↗
1948 — Steve Braun, American baseball player and coach Wikipedia ↗
1948 — Stephen Stohn, American-Canadian lawyer and producer Wikipedia ↗
1947 — H. Robert Horvitz, American biologist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate Wikipedia ↗
1947 — Felicity Lott, English soprano Wikipedia ↗
1947 — John Reid, Baron Reid of Cardowan, Scottish historian and politician, Secretary of State for Defence Wikipedia ↗
1946 — André Boulerice, Canadian politician Wikipedia ↗
1946 — Jonathan Dancy, English philosopher, author, and academic Wikipedia ↗
1945 — Arthur Docters van Leeuwen, Dutch jurist and politician Wikipedia ↗
1945 — Mike German, Baron German, Welsh educator and politician, Deputy First Minister for Wales Wikipedia ↗
1945 — Janine Haines, Australian politician (d. 2004) Wikipedia ↗
1945 — Keith Jarrett, American pianist and composer Wikipedia ↗
1944 — Gary Glitter, English singer-songwriter Wikipedia ↗
1944 — Bill Legend, English drummer Wikipedia ↗
1943 — Pat Barker, English author Wikipedia ↗
1943 — Johnny Greaves, Australian rugby league player Wikipedia ↗
1943 — Jon Mark, English-New Zealand singer-songwriter and guitarist Wikipedia ↗
1943 — Paul Samwell-Smith, English bass player and producer Wikipedia ↗
1943 — Danny Whitten, American singer-songwriter and guitarist (d. 1972) Wikipedia ↗
1942 — Martin Dobkin, Canadian doctor and politician, 2nd Mayor of Mississauga Wikipedia ↗
1942 — Robin Hobbs, English cricketer Wikipedia ↗
1942 — Norman Lamont, Scottish banker and politician, Chancellor of the Exchequer Wikipedia ↗
1942 — Pierre Morency, Canadian poet and playwright Wikipedia ↗
1942 — Terry Neill, Irish footballer and manager Wikipedia ↗
1941 — John Fred, American singer-songwriter (d. 2005) Wikipedia ↗
1941 — Bill Lockyer, American academic and politician, 30th Attorney General of California Wikipedia ↗
1941 — James Traficant, American lawyer and politician (d. 2014) Wikipedia ↗
1940 — Peter Benchley, American author and screenwriter (d. 2006) Wikipedia ↗
1940 — James Blyth, Baron Blyth of Rowington, English businessman and academic Wikipedia ↗
1940 — Irwin Cotler, Canadian lawyer and politician, 47th Canadian Minister of Justice Wikipedia ↗
1940 — Ricky Nelson, American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and actor (d. 1985) Wikipedia ↗
1940 — Toni Tennille, American singer-songwriter and keyboard player Wikipedia ↗
1939 — Paul Drayton, American sprinter (d. 2010) Wikipedia ↗
1938 — Javed Burki, Indian-Pakistani cricketer Wikipedia ↗