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On This Day in History — August 8

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Highlights of August 8

2014 — The World Health Organization declared the Western African Ebola epidemic, which began in December 2013, to be a public health emergency of international concern. Read more
2010 — A massive mudslide in the Chinese province of Gansu killed at least 1,471 people. Read more
2009 — Nine people died when a tour helicopter and a small private airplane collided over the Hudson River in Hoboken, New Jersey. Read more
2008 — A EuroCity train en route to Prague struck a part of a motorway bridge that had fallen onto the track near Studénka station and derailed, killing 8 people and injuring 64 others. Read more
1998 — The Iranian consulate in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan, was raided by Taliban leading to the death of 10 Iranian diplomats and an Iranian journalist. Read more
1991 — Hudson Volcano in Chile began to erupt, depositing volcanic ash over 150,000 square kilometres (58,000 sq mi). Read more
1991 — The Warsaw radio mast (pictured), then the tallest structure ever built, at 646.38 metres (2,120.7 ft), collapsed due to an error in exchanging the guys on the highest telecommunications equipment of the mast. Read more
1988 — Tropical Storm Beryl formed over southeastern Louisiana, making it one of the few tropical cyclones to form over land. Read more
1988 — A series of marches, demonstrations, protests, and riots, which became known as the 8888 Uprising, began against the one-party state of the Burma Socialist Programme Party. Read more
1969 — At a zebra crossing (pictured) on Abbey Road in London, Iain Macmillan took the photograph that was used for the cover of the Beatles' album Abbey Road. Read more
1969 — At a zebra crossing in London (pictured), photographer Iain Macmillan took the photo that was used for the cover of the Beatles' album Abbey Road. Read more
1956 — A mining disaster killed 262 workers, mainly Italian nationals, at the Bois du Cazier coal mine in Belgium. Read more
1929 — The German airship Graf Zeppelin departed Lakehurst, New Jersey, on a flight to circumnavigate the world. Read more
1919 — The Third Anglo-Afghan War ended with the United Kingdom signing a treaty to recognise the independence of the Emirate of Afghanistan. Read more
1918 — The Battle of Amiens began in northern France, marking the start of the Allies' Hundred Days Offensive through the German front lines that ultimately led to the end of World War I. Read more
1914 — The Endurance departed Plymouth, England, on the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition. Read more
1695 — The foundation for what is now known as the Wren Building, the oldest surviving college building in the United States, was laid in a ceremony at Middle Plantation, Virginia. Read more
1576 — The cornerstone of Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe's observatory Uraniborg was laid on the island of Hven. Read more
1264 — Reconquista: In the early stages of the Mudéjar revolt, Muslim rebels captured the Alcázar of Jerez de la Frontera in present-day Spain, holding it for about two months. Read more
685 BC — Spring and Autumn period: Amid a succession dispute, the forces of Duke Zhuang of Lu, who was attempting to install a claimant to the Qi throne, were defeated at the Battle of Qianshi. Read more

Events

2024 — Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus takes oath as Chief Adviser to form an interim government in Bangladesh. Read more
2023 — Hawaii wildfires: Seventeen thousand acres of land are burned and at least 101 people are killed, with two others missing, when a series of wildfires break out on the island of Maui in Hawaii. Read more
2022 — The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) executes a search warrant at former president Donald Trump's residence in Mar-a-Lago, Palm Beach, Florida. Read more
2019 — An explosion at the State Central Navy Testing Range in Nyonoksa, Russia, kills five people. Read more
2016 — Terrorists attack a government hospital in Quetta, Pakistan with a suicide blast and shooting, killing between 70 and 94 people, and injuring around 130 others. Read more
2015 — Eight people are killed in a shooting in Harris County, Texas. Read more
2013 — A suicide bombing at a funeral in the Pakistani city of Quetta kills at least 31 people. Read more
2010 — China Floods: A mudslide in Zhugqu County, Gansu, China, kills more than 1,400 people. Read more
2009 — A Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil and Piper PA-32R collide over the Hudson River, killing nine people. Read more
2008 — A EuroCity express train en route from Kraków, Poland to Prague, Czech Republic strikes a part of a motorway bridge that had fallen onto the railroad track near Studénka railway station in the Czech Republic and derails, killing eight people and injuring 64 others. Read more
2008 — The 29th modern summer Olympic Games take place in Beijing, China until August 24. Read more
2007 — An EF2 tornado touches down in Kings County and Richmond County, New York, the most powerful tornado in New York to date and the first in Brooklyn since 1889. Read more
2007 — Space Shuttle program: STS-118 Mission: Endeavour takes off on a mission to the International Space Station. Read more
2004 — A tour bus belonging to the Dave Matthews Band dumps approximately 800 pounds of human waste onto a boat full of passengers. Read more
2001 — Albanian rebels ambush a convoy of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia near Tetovo, killing 10 soldiers. Read more
2000 — Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley is raised to the surface after 136 years on the ocean floor and 30 years after its discovery by undersea explorer E. Lee Spence. Read more
1998 — The Iranian consulate in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan, is raided by Taliban, leading to the deaths of ten Iranian diplomats and a journalist. Read more
1993 — The 7.8 Mw Guam earthquake shakes the island with a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent), causing around $250 million in damage and injuring up to 71 people. Read more
1991 — The Warsaw radio mast, then the tallest construction ever built, collapses. Read more
1990 — Iraq occupies Kuwait and the state is annexed to Iraq. This would lead to the Gulf War shortly afterward. Read more
1989 — Space Shuttle program: STS-28 Mission: Space Shuttle Columbia takes off on a secret five-day military mission. Read more
1988 — The 8888 Uprising begins in Rangoon (Yangon), Burma (Myanmar). Led by students, hundreds of thousands join in nationwide protests against the one-party regime. On September 18, the demonstrations end in a military crackdown, killing thousands. Read more
1988 — The first night baseball game in the history of Chicago's Wrigley Field (game was rained out in the fourth inning). Read more
1974 — President Richard Nixon, in a nationwide television address, announces his resignation from the office of the President of the United States effective noon the next day. Read more
1973 — Kim Dae-jung, a South Korean politician and later president of South Korea, is kidnapped. Read more
1969 — At a zebra crossing in London, photographer Iain Macmillan takes the iconic photo that becomes the cover image of the Beatles' album Abbey Road. Read more
1967 — The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is founded by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Read more
1963 — Great Train Robbery: In England, a gang of 15 train robbers steal £2.6 million in bank notes. Read more
1963 — The Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU), the current ruling party of Zimbabwe, is formed by a split from the Zimbabwe African People's Union. Read more
1956 — Marcinelle mining disaster in Belgium. 262 coal miners, including a substantial number of Italian migrant workers, are killed in one of the largest mining accidents in Belgian history. Read more
1946 — First flight of the nuclear capable Convair B-36, heaviest mass-produced piston-engined aircraft at the time. Read more
1945 — The London Charter is signed by France, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union and the United States, establishing the laws and procedures for the Nuremberg trials. Read more
1945 — World War II: The Soviet Union declares war on Japan. Read more
1942 — Quit India Movement is launched in India against the British rule in response to Mohandas Gandhi's call for swaraj or complete independence. Read more
1940 — The "Aufbau Ost" directive for the mobilization of German forces for the invasion of the Soviet Union is signed by Wilhelm Keitel. Read more
1929 — The German airship Graf Zeppelin begins a round-the-world flight. Read more
1919 — The Anglo-Afghan Treaty of 1919 is signed. It establishes peaceful relations between Afghanistan and the UK, and confirms the Durand line as the mutual border. In return, the UK is no longer obligated to subsidize the Afghan government. Read more
1918 — World War I: The Battle of Amiens begins a string of almost continuous Allied victories with a push through the German front lines (Hundred Days Offensive). Read more
1908 — Wilbur Wright makes the Wright Brothers' first public flight, at a racecourse at Le Mans, France. Read more
1903 — Black Saturday occurs, killing 12 in a stadium collapse in Philadelphia. Read more
1897 — Italian anarchist Michele Angiolillo assassinates Spanish Prime Minister Antonio Cánovas del Castillo. Read more
1876 — Thomas Edison receives a patent for his mimeograph. Read more
1870 — The Republic of Ploiești, a failed Radical-Liberal rising against Domnitor Carol of Romania. Read more
1863 — American Civil War: Following his defeat in the Battle of Gettysburg, General Robert E. Lee sends a letter of resignation to Confederate President Jefferson Davis (which is refused upon receipt). Read more
1863 — Tennessee Military Governor Andrew Johnson frees his personal slaves in Greeneville, Tennessee, despite them being exempt from the Emancipation Proclamation, now commemorated as Emancipation Day in the state. Read more
1844 — The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, headed by Brigham Young, is reaffirmed as the leading body of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Read more
1831 — Four hundred Shawnee people agree to relinquish their lands in Ohio in exchange for land west of the Mississippi River in the Treaty of Wapakoneta. Read more
1794 — Joseph Whidbey leads an expedition to search for the Northwest Passage near Juneau, Alaska. Read more
1786 — Mont Blanc on the French-Italian border is climbed for the first time by Jacques Balmat and Dr. Michel-Gabriel Paccard. Read more
1709 — Bartolomeu de Gusmão demonstrates the lifting power of hot air in an audience before the king of Portugal in Lisbon, Portugal. Read more
1648 — Mehmed IV (1648–1687) succeeds Ibrahim I (1640–1648) as Ottoman sultan. Read more
1647 — The Irish Confederate Wars and Wars of the Three Kingdoms: Battle of Dungan's Hill: English Parliamentary forces defeat Irish forces. Read more
1588 — Anglo-Spanish War: Battle of Gravelines: The naval engagement ends, ending the Spanish Armada's attempt to invade England. Read more
1585 — John Davis enters Cumberland Sound in search of the Northwest Passage. Read more
1576 — The cornerstone for Tycho Brahe's Uraniborg observatory is laid on the island of Hven. Read more
1509 — Krishnadeva Raya is crowned Emperor of Vijayanagara at Chittoor. Read more
1503 — King James IV of Scotland marries Margaret Tudor, daughter of King Henry VII of England, at Holyrood Abbey in Edinburgh, Scotland. Read more
1264 — Mudéjar revolt: Muslim rebel forces take the Alcázar of Jerez de la Frontera after defeating the Castilian garrison. Read more
1220 — Sweden is defeated by Estonian tribes in the Battle of Lihula. Read more
1164 — Hassan II of Alamut proclaims the qiyāma, according to which Ismaili practice would change from traditional Islamic practice. Read more

Born on August 8

2005 — Alysa Liu, American figure skater Read more
2000 — Félix Auger-Aliassime, Canadian tennis player Read more
1999 — Xiaojun, Chinese singer Read more
1998 — Ryan Garcia, American boxer Read more
1998 — Shawn Mendes, Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist Read more
1997 — Karim Walid, Egyptian footballer Read more
1997 — Panipak Wongpattanakit, Thai taekwondo athlete Read more
1996 — A'ja Wilson, American basketball player Read more
1995 — S.Coups, South Korean rapper and singer Read more
1994 — Cameron Payne, American basketball player Read more
1993 — Emilie Mehl, Norwegian politician Read more
1992 — Josip Drmić, Swiss footballer Read more
1992 — Casey Cott, American actor Read more
1991 — Yandy Díaz, Cuban baseball player Read more
1991 — Nélson Oliveira, Portuguese footballer Read more
1991 — Tyrone Peachey, Australian rugby league player Read more
1991 — Joël Matip, Cameroonian footballer Read more
1990 — Vladimír Darida, Czech footballer Read more
1990 — Parker Kligerman, American race car driver Read more
1990 — Aleksandra Szwed, Polish actress and singer Read more
1990 — Kane Williamson, New Zealand cricket captain Read more
1989 — Ken Baumann, American actor and author Read more
1989 — Anthony Rizzo, American baseball player Read more
1989 — Hannah Miley, English-Scottish swimmer Read more
1989 — Prajakta Mali, Indian actress Read more
1988 — Princess Beatrice, British royal Read more
1988 — Danilo Gallinari, Italian basketball player Read more
1988 — Rinku Singh, Indian baseball player and wrestler Read more
1988 — Laura Slade Wiggins, American actress and singer Read more
1988 — Agata Sobczyk (born 1988), Polish economist and politician Read more
1987 — Pierre Boulanger, French actor Read more
1987 — Katie Leung, Scottish actress Read more
1987 — Tatjana Maria, German tennis player Read more
1986 — Kateryna Bondarenko, Ukrainian tennis player Read more
1986 — Jackie Cruz, Dominican-American actress and singer Read more
1986 — Pierre Garçon, American football player Read more
1986 — Chris Pressley, American football player Read more
1985 — Toby Flood, English rugby player Read more
1985 — Ryan Koolwijk, Dutch footballer Read more
1985 — James Morgan, Welsh actor and producer Read more

Died on August 8

2024 — Issa Hayatou, Cameroonian basketball player and football executive (born 1946) Read more
2024 — Mitzi McCall, American actress (born 1930) Read more
2024 — Chi-Chi Rodríguez, Puerto Rican professional golfer (born 1935) Read more
2024 — Steve Symms, American politician and lobbyist (born 1938) Read more
2023 — Rodriguez, American singer and songwriter (born 1942) Read more
2022 — Olivia Newton-John, English-Australian singer-songwriter and actress (born 1948) Read more
2021 — Bill Davis, Canadian politician, 18th premier of Ontario (born 1929) Read more
2020 — Gabriel Ochoa Uribe, Colombian football player and manager (born 1929) Read more
2020 — Alfredo Lim, former Philippine senator and Mayor of Manila (born 1929) Read more
2018 — Nicholas Bett, Kenyan track and field athlete (born 1990) Read more
2017 — Glen Campbell, American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and actor (born 1936) Read more
2015 — Sean Price, American rapper (born 1972) Read more
2015 — Gus Mortson, Canadian ice hockey player and coach (born 1925) Read more
2014 — Menahem Golan, Israeli director and producer (born 1929) Read more
2014 — Charles Keating, English-American actor (born 1941) Read more
2014 — Leonardo Legaspi, Filipino archbishop (born 1935) Read more
2014 — Peter Sculthorpe, Australian composer and conductor (born 1929) Read more
2014 — Red Wilson, American football and baseball player (born 1929) Read more
2013 — Karen Black, American actress (born 1939) Read more
2013 — Johannes Bluyssen, Dutch bishop (born 1926) Read more
2013 — Fernando Castro Pacheco, Mexican painter, engraver, and illustrator (born 1918) Read more
2013 — Igor Kurnosov, Russian chess player (born 1985) Read more
2013 — Regina Resnik, American soprano and actress (born 1922) Read more
2012 — Fay Ajzenberg-Selove, German-American physicist and academic (born 1926) Read more
2012 — Ruth Etchells, English poet and academic (born 1931) Read more
2012 — Surya Lesmana, Indonesian footballer and manager (born 1944) Read more
2012 — Kurt Maetzig, German director and screenwriter (born 1911) Read more
2010 — Patricia Neal, American actress (born 1926) Read more
2009 — Daniel Jarque, Spanish footballer (born 1983) Read more
2008 — Orville Moody, American golfer (born 1933) Read more
2007 — Ma Lik, Chinese journalist and politician (born 1952) Read more
2007 — Melville Shavelson, American director, producer, and screenwriter (born 1917) Read more
2005 — Barbara Bel Geddes, American actress (born 1922) Read more
2005 — Ahmed Deedat, South African missionary and author (born 1918) Read more
2005 — John H. Johnson, American publisher, founded the Johnson Publishing Company (born 1918) Read more
2005 — Gene Mauch, American baseball player and manager (born 1925) Read more
2005 — Dean Rockwell, American commander, wrestler, and coach (born 1912) Read more
2005 — Monica Sjöö, Swedish-English painter (born 1938) Read more
2004 — Leon Golub, American painter and academic (born 1922) Read more
2004 — Fay Wray, Canadian-American actress (born 1907) Read more

Holidays & observances

Ceasefire Day (end of Iran–Iraq War) (Iraqi Kurdistan); Christian Feast Day: Altmann of Passau; Christian Feast Day: Bonifacia Rodríguez y Castro; Christian Feast Day: Cyriacus and companions; Christian Feast Day: Dominic de Guzmán, founder of the Dominican Order.; Christian Feast Day: Four Crowned Martyrs; Christian Feast Day: Blessed Maria Anna Rosa Caiani; Christian Feast Day: Mary MacKillop; Christian Feast Day: Severus of Vienne; Christian Feast Day: August 8 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics); Father's Day or Bā bā Day (爸爸節), Bā Bā is Mandarin for "father" and "8-8", or August 8. (Mongolia, Taiwan); Happiness Happens Day; International Cat Day; Namesday of the Queen (Sweden); Nane Nane Day (Tanzania); Signal Troops Day (Ukraine)

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Events, births and deaths from Wikipedia contributors, “August 8”, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Lists are selections; the full record lives at the source.