International Women’s Day is a global holiday celebrated annually on March 8 to commemorate the cultural, political, and socioeconomic achievements of women.
We have some interesting facts & historic events all about March 8th, including areas in religion, crime, health and more.
Keep reading for more interesting facts about March 8th in history!
Table of Contents
Global Celebrations
- International women’s day.
- National Peanut Cluster Day
- National Proofreading Day
- National Organize Your Home Office Day
Historic Events
What Happened On This Day – March 8
1979: The compact disc is presented to the public
The CD was developed by Philips and Sony. The companies later collaborated to produce a standard format and CD players.
1978: The first episode of the radio comedy The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is broadcast
Douglas Adams’ radio play was a major success with BBC Radio 4 listeners. The book version consisting of five novels – A Trilogy in Five Parts – became a worldwide success.
1971: In the Fight of the Century, Joe Frazier triumphs over Muhammad Ali
Ali had been stripped of his World Heavyweight Champion title in 1967 for refusing to serve in the armed forces. As he was still undefeated, Frazier had to beat him to be recognized as the world champion.
1910: Raymonde de Laroche becomes the first woman with a pilot’s license
The French aviatrix was also the first woman to fly solo. She died at the age of 36 when her experimental plane crashed at Le Crotoy airfield in northern France.
1817: The New York Stock Exchange is founded
The NYSE at 11 Wall Street in New York City is the world’s largest stock exchange.
1944: Nurses landing on Normandy Beach in 1944

A british crew charge 1000 pound bombs inside a Avro Lancaster, WW2.

1941: German Army soldier sorting ammunition, Eastern Front. 1941.

Tragic Incidents
1943: Japanese forces attacked American troops on Hill 700 in Bougainville. The battle lasted five days in 1943!
1924: Mine disaster kills 172 coal miners near Castle Gate, Utah!
1917: On this day, in 1917 a massive strike took place in Saint Petersburg,Russia by women for ‘Bread And Peace’ happened as the first International Women’s Day. On 8 March, 1975, the UN officially recognised this day and christened it as international womens day.

1618: Johannes Kepler discovered the third Law of Planetary Motion in 1618!
Famous Birthdays
Births On This Day, March 8
1990: Petra Kvitová, Czech tennis player
1952: George Allen, American politician, 67th Governor of Virginia
1907: Konstantinos Karamanlis, Greek politician, 3rd President of Greece
1879: Otto Hahn, German chemist, Nobel Prize laureate
1841: Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., American jurist
Benny Blanco was born.
Fardeen Khan was born.
Lynn Redgrave was born.
Heartbreaking Deaths
Deaths On This Day, March 8
1999: Joe DiMaggio, American baseball player
1942: José Raúl Capablanca, Cuban chess player
1930: William Howard Taft, American politician, 27th President of the United States
1917: Ferdinand von Zeppelin, German general, businessman
1869: Hector Berlioz, French composer
William III died.
Harald Vallerius died.
William Cooper died.