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On This Day in History — January 8
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Highlights of January 8
- 2011 — Jared Lee Loughner opened fire at a public meeting held by U.S. representative Gabby Giffords in Tucson, Arizona, killing six people and injuring twelve others. Read more
- 2010 — Gunmen from an offshoot of the Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda attacked the bus transporting the Togo national football team to the Africa Cup of Nations in Angola, killing three people. Read more
- 1991 — Jeremy Wade Delle committed suicide in his high-school class in Richardson, Texas, an event that inspired the Pearl Jam song "Jeremy". Read more
- 1981 — In Trans-en-Provence, France, a local farmer reported a UFO sighting claimed to be "perhaps the most completely and carefully documented sighting of all time". Read more
- 1977 — Three bombs attributed to Armenian nationalists exploded across Moscow, killing seven people and injuring 37 people. Read more
- 1972 — Following Pakistan's defeat in the Bangladesh Liberation War, President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto released Bangladeshi politician Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (pictured) from prison in response to international pressure. Read more
- 1956 — Five Evangelical Christian missionaries from the United States were killed by the Huaorani in the rainforest of Ecuador shortly after making contact with them. Read more
- 1939 — The New Deal for Aborigines was formally announced by the Australian government, providing for full civil rights for Indigenous Australians in exchange for cultural assimilation. Read more
- 1936 — Reza Shah issued the Kashf-e hijab decree, ordering Iranian police to remove hijabs from any women in public. Read more
- 1928 — The Committee for Union Action is established in Guatemala. Read more
- 1918 — U.S. president Woodrow Wilson announced his Fourteen Points for a moral cause and for post–World War I peace in Europe. Read more
- 1904 — Blackstone Library (pictured), the first branch of the Chicago Public Library system, was dedicated. Read more
- 1889 — American statistician Herman Hollerith received a patent for his electromechanical tabulating machine for punched-card data. Read more
- 1790 — George Washington delivered the first State of the Union address in New York City, then the provisional capital of the United States. Read more
- 1735 — George Frideric Handel's opera Ariodante premiered at the Covent Garden Theatre (pictured) in London. Read more
- 1697 — Scottish student Thomas Aikenhead became the last person in Great Britain to be executed for blasphemy. Read more
- 1198 — Lotario dei Conti was elected as Pope Innocent III; he later worked to restore papal power in Rome. Read more
Events
- 2023 — Supporters of former Brazil president Jair Bolsonaro storm the Brazilian Congress. Read more
- 2021 — Twenty-three people are killed in what is described as a police ″massacre″ in La Vega, Caracas, Venezuela. Read more
- 2020 — Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 crashes immediately after takeoff at Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport; all 176 on board are killed. The plane was shot down by an Iranian anti-aircraft missile. Read more
- 2016 — Joaquín Guzmán, widely regarded as the world's most powerful drug trafficker, is recaptured following his escape from a maximum security prison in Mexico. Read more
- 2016 — West Air Sweden Flight 294 crashes near the Swedish reservoir of Akkajaure; both pilots, the only people on board, are killed. Read more
- 2011 — Sitting US Congresswoman Gabby Giffords is shot in the head along with 18 others in a mass shooting in Tucson, Arizona. Giffords survived the assassination attempt, but six others died, including John Roll, a federal judge. Read more
- 2010 — Gunmen from an offshoot of the Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda attack a bus carrying the Togo national football team on its way to the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations, killing three people and injuring another nine. Read more
- 2009 — A 6.1-magnitude earthquake in northern Costa Rica kills 15 people and injures 32. Read more
- 2005 — The nuclear sub USS San Francisco collides at full speed with an undersea mountain south of Guam. One man is killed, but the sub surfaces and is repaired. Read more
- 2004 — The RMS Queen Mary 2, then the largest ocean liner ever built, is christened by her namesake's granddaughter, Queen Elizabeth II. Read more
- 2003 — Turkish Airlines Flight 634 crashes near Diyarbakır Airport, Turkey, killing the entire crew and 70 of the 75 passengers. Read more
- 2003 — Air Midwest Flight 5481 crashes at Charlotte-Douglas Airport, in Charlotte, North Carolina, killing all 21 people on board. Read more
- 2002 — President of the United States George W. Bush signs into law the No Child Left Behind Act. Read more
- 1996 — An Antonov An-32 cargo aircraft crashes into a crowded market in Kinshasa, Zaire, killing up to 223 people on the ground; two of six crew members are also killed. Read more
- 1994 — Russian cosmonaut Valeri Polyakov on Soyuz TM-18 leaves for Mir. He would stay on the space station until March 22, 1995, for a record 437 days in space. Read more
- 1989 — Kegworth air disaster: British Midland Flight 92, a Boeing 737-400, crashes into the M1 motorway, killing 47 of the 126 people on board. Read more
- 1982 — Breakup of the Bell System: In the United States, AT&T agrees to divest itself of twenty-two subdivisions. Read more
- 1981 — A local farmer reports a UFO sighting in Trans-en-Provence, France, claimed to be "perhaps the most completely and carefully documented sighting of all time". Read more
- 1977 — Three bombs explode in Moscow, Russia, Soviet Union, within 37 minutes, killing seven. The bombings are attributed to an Armenian separatist group. Read more
- 1975 — Ella T. Grasso becomes Governor of Connecticut, the first woman to serve as a governor in the United States other than by succeeding her husband. Read more
- 1973 — Soviet space mission Luna 21 is launched. Read more
- 1973 — Watergate scandal: The trial of seven men accused of illegal entry into Democratic Party headquarters at Watergate begins. Read more
- 1972 — Bowing to international pressure, President of Pakistan Zulfikar Ali Bhutto releases Bengali leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from prison, who had been arrested after declaring the independence of Bangladesh. Read more
- 1964 — President Lyndon B. Johnson declares a "War on Poverty" in the United States. Read more
- 1961 — In France a referendum supports Charles de Gaulle's policies in Algeria. Read more
- 1959 — Charles de Gaulle is proclaimed as the first President of the French Fifth Republic. Read more
- 1956 — Operation Auca: Five U.S. missionaries are killed by the Waorani of Ecuador shortly after making first contact. Read more
- 1946 — Andrei Zhdanov, Chairman of the Finnish Allied Commission, submits to the Finnish War Criminal Court an interrogation report by General Erich Buschenhagen, a German prisoner of war, on the contacts between Finnish and German military personnel before the Continuation War and a copy of Hitler's Barbarossa plan. Read more
- 1945 — World War II: Philippine Commonwealth troops under the Philippine Commonwealth Army units enter the province of Ilocos Sur in Northern Luzon and attack invading Japanese Imperial forces. Read more
- 1940 — World War II: Britain introduces food rationing. Read more
- 1936 — Kashf-e hijab decree is made and immediately enforced by Reza Shah, Iran's head of state, banning the wearing of Islamic veils in public. Read more
- 1933 — Anarchist insurrection of January 1933 breaks out in Barcelona, Spain. Read more
- 1928 — The Committee for Union Action is established in Guatemala. Read more
- 1926 — Crown Prince Nguyễn Phúc Vĩnh Thuỵ is crowned emperor of Vietnam, the country's last monarch. Read more
- 1926 — Abdul-Aziz ibn Saud is crowned King of Hejaz. Read more
- 1920 — The steel strike of 1919 ends in failure for the Amalgamated Association of Iron, Steel and Tin Workers labor union. Read more
- 1918 — U.S. President Woodrow Wilson announces his "Fourteen Points" as conditions for ending World War I. Read more
- 1912 — The African National Congress is founded, under the name South African Native National Congress (SANNC). Read more
- 1912 — The city of San Diego passes an ordinance restricting free speech, provoking months of civil unrest between socialist Wobblies and business leaders that become the bloodiest free speech fight in history. Read more
- 1900 — President William McKinley places Alaska under military rule. Read more
- 1889 — Herman Hollerith is issued US patent #395,791 for the 'Art of Applying Statistics' — his punched card calculator. Read more
- 1877 — Crazy Horse and his warriors fight their last battle against the United States Cavalry at Wolf Mountain, Montana Territory. Read more
- 1867 — The United States Congress passes the bill to allow African American men the right to vote in Washington, D.C. Read more
- 1863 — American Civil War: Second Battle of Springfield. Read more
- 1835 — US President Andrew Jackson announces a celebratory dinner after having reduced the United States national debt to zero for the only time. Read more
- 1828 — The Democratic Party of the United States is organized. Read more
- 1815 — War of 1812: Battle of New Orleans: Andrew Jackson leads American forces in victory over the British. Read more
- 1811 — Charles Deslondes leads an unsuccessful slave revolt in the North American settlements of St. Charles and St. James, Louisiana. Read more
- 1806 — The Dutch Cape Colony in southern Africa becomes the British Cape Colony as a result of the Battle of Blaauwberg. Read more
- 1790 — George Washington delivers the first State of the Union address in New York City. Read more
- 1746 — Second Jacobite rising: Bonnie Prince Charlie occupies Stirling. Read more
- 1735 — The premiere of George Frideric Handel's Ariodante takes place at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Read more
- 1547 — The first Lithuanian-language book, the Catechism of Martynas Mažvydas, is published in Königsberg. Read more
- 1499 — Louis XII of France marries Anne of Brittany in accordance with a law set by his predecessor, Charles VIII. Read more
- 1454 — The papal bull Romanus Pontifex awards the Kingdom of Portugal exclusive trade and colonization rights to all of Africa south of Cape Bojador. Read more
- 1297 — François Grimaldi, disguised as a monk, leads his men to capture the fortress protecting the Rock of Monaco, establishing his family as the rulers of Monaco. Read more
- 871 — Æthelred I and Alfred the Great lead a West Saxon army to repel an invasion by Danelaw Vikings. Read more
- 307 — Sima Chi becomes emperor of the Jin dynasty in succession to his brother, Sima Zhong, despite a challenge from his other brother, Sima Ying. Read more
Born on January 8
- 2001 — Zach Charbonnet, American football player Read more
- 2000 — Noah Cyrus, American singer, songwriter, and actress Read more
- 1999 — Ignas Brazdeikis, Lithuanian-Canadian basketball player Read more
- 1999 — Damiano David, Italian singer-songwriter Read more
- 1998 — Tony Bradley, American basketball player Read more
- 1998 — Jhoan Durán, Dominican baseball player Read more
- 1995 — Ryan Destiny, American actress and singer Read more
- 1994 — Glenn Robinson III, American basketball player Read more
- 1993 — William Karlsson, Swedish ice hockey player Read more
- 1993 — Sophie Pascoe, New Zealand swimmer Read more
- 1992 — Stefanie Dolson, American basketball player Read more
- 1992 — Koke, Spanish footballer Read more
- 1992 — Valkyrae, American online streamer Read more
- 1991 — Josh Hazlewood, Australian cricketer Read more
- 1991 — Stefan Johansen, Norwegian footballer Read more
- 1991 — Stefan Savić, Montenegrin footballer Read more
- 1991 — Greg Smith, American basketball player Read more
- 1990 — Blair Walsh, American football player Read more
- 1989 — Aaron Cruden, New Zealand rugby player Read more
- 1988 — Adrián López, Spanish footballer Read more
- 1988 — Michael Mancienne, English footballer Read more
- 1988 — Alex Tyus, American-Israeli basketball player Read more
- 1987 — Chris Douglas-Roberts, American basketball player Read more
- 1987 — Cynthia Erivo, English actress and singer-songwriter Read more
- 1987 — Freddie Stroma, English actor Read more
- 1984 — Jeff Francoeur, American baseball player and broadcaster Read more
- 1983 — Chris Masters, American wrestler Read more
- 1982 — Gaby Hoffmann, American actress Read more
- 1981 — Genevieve Cortese, American actress Read more
- 1981 — Jeff Francis, Canadian baseball player Read more
- 1980 — Sam Riley, English actor and singer Read more
- 1979 — Seol Ki-hyeon, South Korean footballer and manager Read more
- 1979 — Windell Middlebrooks, American actor (died 2015) Read more
- 1979 — Adrian Mutu, Romanian footballer Read more
- 1979 — Stipe Pletikosa, Croatian footballer Read more
- 1979 — Sarah Polley, Canadian actress and director Read more
- 1978 — Marco Fu, Hong Kongese snooker player Read more
- 1977 — Amber Benson, American actress, writer, director, and producer Read more
- 1976 — Jenny Lewis, American singer-songwriter, musician, and actress Read more
- 1973 — Mike Cameron, American baseball player Read more
Died on January 8
- 2025 — Mangkra Souvanna Phouma, Laotian prince (born 1938) Read more
- 2024 — Adan Canto, Mexican actor (born 1981) Read more
- 2022 — Michael Lang, American concert promoter and producer (born 1944) Read more
- 2021 — Iancu Țucărman, Romanian Holocaust survivor (born 1922) Read more
- 2020 — Pat Dalton, Australian footballer (born 1942) Read more
- 2020 — Buck Henry, American actor, screenwriter, and director (born 1930) Read more
- 2017 — Nicolai Gedda, Swedish operatic tenor (born 1925) Read more
- 2017 — James Mancham, Seychellois politician, President 1976-77 (born 1939) Read more
- 2017 — Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Iranian politician (born 1934) Read more
- 2017 — Peter Sarstedt, Indian-British singer-songwriter and guitarist (born 1941) Read more
- 2016 — Maria Teresa de Filippis, Italian racing driver (born 1926) Read more
- 2016 — German Moreno, Filipino television host, actor, comedian and talent manager (born 1933) Read more
- 2015 — Andraé Crouch, American singer-songwriter, producer, and pastor (born 1942) Read more
- 2015 — Kep Enderby, Australian lawyer, judge, and politician, 23rd Attorney-General for Australia (born 1926) Read more
- 2015 — Patsy Garrett, American actress and singer (born 1921) Read more
- 2014 — Irma Heijting-Schuhmacher, Dutch-Australian swimmer (born 1925) Read more
- 2014 — Antonino P. Roman, Filipino lawyer and politician (born 1939) Read more
- 2013 — Kenojuak Ashevak, Canadian sculptor and illustrator (born 1927) Read more
- 2013 — Jeanne Manford, American educator and activist, co-founded PFLAG (born 1920) Read more
- 2013 — Alasdair Milne, Indian-English director and producer (born 1930) Read more
- 2012 — Dave Alexander, American singer and pianist (born 1938) Read more
- 2012 — T. J. Hamblin, English haematologist and academic (born 1943) Read more
- 2012 — Alexis Weissenberg, Bulgarian-French pianist and educator (born 1929) Read more
- 2011 — Jiří Dienstbier, Czech journalist and politician (born 1937) Read more
- 2011 — Thorbjørn Svenssen, Norwegian footballer (born 1924) Read more
- 2010 — Art Clokey, American animator, director, producer, and screenwriter (born 1921) Read more
- 2009 — Lasantha Wickrematunge, Sri Lankan journalist (born 1958) Read more
- 2008 — George Moore, Australian jockey and trainer (born 1923) Read more
- 2007 — Jane Bolin, American lawyer and judge (born 1908) Read more
- 2007 — Arthur Cockfield, Baron Cockfield, English lawyer and politician, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (born 1916) Read more
- 2007 — Yvonne De Carlo, Canadian-American actress and singer (born 1922) Read more
- 2007 — David Ervine, Northern Irish politician and activist (born 1953) Read more
- 2007 — Iwao Takamoto, American animator, director, and producer (born 1925) Read more
- 2006 — Tony Banks, Baron Stratford, Northern Irish broadcaster and politician, Minister for Sport and the Olympics (born 1942) Read more
- 2003 — Ron Goodwin, English composer and conductor (born 1925) Read more
- 2002 — Alexander Prokhorov, Australian-Russian physicist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate (born 1916) Read more
- 2002 — Dave Thomas, American businessman and philanthropist, founded Wendy's (born 1932) Read more
- 2000 — Hilary Smart, American sailor (born 1925) Read more
- 1998 — Michael Tippett, English composer and conductor (born 1905) Read more
- 1997 — Melvin Calvin, American chemist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate (born 1911) Read more
Holidays & observances
Babinden (Belarus, Russia); Christian feast day:
Abo of Tiflis; Christian feast day:
Apollinaris Claudius; Christian feast day:
Blessed Eurosia Fabris; Christian feast day:
Gauchito Gil (Folk Catholicism); Christian feast day:
Gudula; Christian feast day:
Harriet Bedell (Episcopal Church (USA)); Christian feast day:
Lawrence Giustiniani; Christian feast day:
Lucian of Beauvais; Christian feast day:
Maximus of Pavia; Christian feast day:
Our Lady of Prompt Succor (Roman Catholic Church); Christian feast day:
Pega (Anglican and Roman Catholic churches); Christian feast day:
Severinus of Noricum; Christian feast day:
Thorfinn of Hamar; Christian feast day:
January 8 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics); Commonwealth Day (Northern Mariana Islands); Earliest day on which Children's Day can fall, while January 14 is the latest; celebrated on the second Saturday in January. (Thailand); Typing Day (International observance)
Events, births and deaths from Wikipedia contributors, “January 8”, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Lists are selections; the full record lives at the source.