8 May

May 8 is the 128th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 237 days remain until the end of the year.

We have some interesting facts & historic events all about May 8th, including areas in religion, crime, health and more.

Keep reading for more interesting facts about May 8th in history!

Table of Contents

  1. Global Celebrations
  2. Historic Events
  3. Famous Birthdays
  4. Heartbreaking Deaths

Global Celebrations

  • World Red Cross Day
  • International Thalassaemia Day
  • World Ovarian Cancer Day
  • World Red Cross Day
  • National No Socks Day
  • Free Trade Day
  • International Mothers Day

Historic Events

What Happened On This Day – May 8

1984: The USSR announced it would boycott the Olympics in 1984.

1984: Moscow announces that the USSR will not take part in the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles

Several other countries, such as Cuba, Afghanistan, Bulgaria, Ethiopia, East Germany, Hungary, Poland, and Vietnam joined the boycott. 4 years earlier, the United States had not sent any athletes to the Summer Olympics in Moscow.

1978: Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler climb Mount Everest without oxygen supply

Prior to the Italian and Austrian mountaineers’ ascent, it was thought to be impossible to conquer the world’s highest mountain without supplemental oxygen.

1970: The Beatles release the album Let It Be

The recording was the last studio album ever released by the legendary English rock band.

1927: The White Bird and its crew mysteriously disappear

1945: President Truman and Prime minister Churchill declared victory in Europe today, celebrating the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945.

French aviators, Charles Nungesser and François Coli, had taken off from Paris in their Levasseur PL.8 biplane in an attempt to make the first non-stop transatlantic flight. Their disappearance remains a mystery. Charles Lindbergh succeeded two weeks later.

1886: Coca-Cola is invented

According to legend, Dr. John Styth Pemberton, an Atlanta pharmacist, produced the syrup in a brass pot in his backyard. It was first intended as a patent medicine. Today, Coca-Cola is one of the world’s most popular soft drinks and one of the most recognized trademarks.

1945: German prisoner sitting near Reichstag. May 1945.

German prisoner sitting near Reichstag. May 1945.
German prisoner sitting near Reichstag. May 1945.

1939: Hattie McDaniel accepted her Oscar in a segregated ‘No Blacks’ hotel in L.A. for her role in Gone With The Wind. She is the first African American to win an Oscar, 1939

Hattie McDaniel accepted her Oscar in a segregated 'No Blacks' hotel in L.A. for her role in Gone With The Wind. She is the first African American to win an Oscar, 1939
Hattie McDaniel accepted her Oscar in a segregated ‘No Blacks’ hotel in L.A. for her role in Gone With The Wind. She is the first African American to win an Oscar, 1939

1918 Grandfather (bottom left) during WW1. Survived the war and then the Spanish Flu of 1918.

My Great Grandfather (bottom left) during WW1. Survived the war and then the Spanish Flu of 1918.
My Great Grandfather (bottom left) during WW1. Survived the war and then the Spanish Flu of 1918.

1902: Frozen Niagara Falls (1902)

Frozen Niagara Falls (1902)
Frozen Niagara Falls (1902)

Famous Birthdays

Births On This Day, May 8

1970: Naomi Klein, Canadian author, activist

1945: Keith Jarrett, American pianist, composer

1926: David Attenborough, English television host

1911: Robert Johnson, American singer-songwriter, guitarist

1884: Harry S. Truman, American colonel, politician, 33rd President of the United States

Enrique Iglesias was born

David Attenborough was born

Harry S. Truman was born

Heartbreaking Deaths

Deaths On This Day, May 8

1990: Luigi Nono, Italian composer

1988: Robert A. Heinlein, American writer

1903: Paul Gauguin, French painter

1891: Helena Blavatsky, Russian scholar, theosophist

1873: John Stuart Mill, English economist, civil servant, philosopher

Antoine Lavoisier died

Paul Gauguin died

Kamehameha I died

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