✦ DateLore

On This Day · The 342nd day of the year

December 8

A look at December 8 through the almanac — historic events, famous birthdays including Horace and Kateryna Yushchenko (scientist), and the day's notable deaths and observances.

♐ZodiacSagittarius ◈BirthstoneTurquoise ❀Birth flowerHolly
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Events

10 notable moments
  1. 2013

    Metallica

    Metallica performs a show in Antarctica, making them the first musical act to perform on all seven continents.

    American heavy metal band
  2. 2009

    December 2009 Baghdad bombings

    Bombings in Baghdad, Iraq kill 127 people and injure 448 others.

    Terrorist attacks in Iraq
  3. 1991

    Belarus

    The leaders of Russia, Belarus and Ukraine sign an agreement dissolving the Soviet Union and establishing the Commonwealth of Independent States.

    Country in Eastern Europe
  4. 1987

    Cold War

    Cold War: The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty is signed by U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in the White House.

    1947–1991 geopolitical rivalry between
  5. 1980

    John Lennon

    John Lennon is murdered by Mark David Chapman in front of The Dakota in New York City.

    English musician, songwriter and
  6. 1941

    World War II

    World War II: U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt declares December 7 to be "a date which will live in infamy", after which the U.S. declares war on Japan.

    1939–1945 global conflict
  7. 1914

    World War I

    World War I: A squadron of Britain's Royal Navy defeats the Imperial German East Asia Squadron in the Battle of the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic.

    1914–1918 global conflict
  8. 1864

    Pope Pius IX

    Pope Pius IX promulgates the encyclical Quanta cura and its appendix, the Syllabus of Errors, outlining the authority of the Catholic Church and condemning various liberal ideas.

    Head of the Catholic
  9. 1660

    Margaret Hughes

    A woman (either Margaret Hughes or Anne Marshall) appears on an English public stage for the first time, in the role of Desdemona in a production of Shakespeare's play Othello.

    British actress (1630–1720)
  10. 1504

    Ahmad ibn Abi Jum'ah

    Ahmad ibn Abi Jum'ah writes his Oran fatwa, arguing for the relaxation of Islamic law requirements for the forcibly converted Muslims in Spain.

    Maliki scholar of Islamic
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Famous birthday twins

Born on December 8

Horace

b. -65

Roman poet (died 8 BC)

Kateryna Yushchenko (scientist)

b. 1919

Ukrainian computer scientist and academic

Kotono Mitsuishi

b. 1967

Japanese voice actress and singer

Dwight Howard

b. 1985

American basketball player

Claus Luthe

b. 1932

German automotive designer

Hamit Altıntop

b. 1982

Turkish footballer

Jim Morrison

b. 1943

American singer-songwriter and poet

Jean Sibelius

b. 1865

Finnish violinist and composer

Deaths

  • 2001Betty Holberton, American computer scientist and programmer
  • 1980John Lennon, English singer-songwriter and guitarist
  • 1978Golda Meir, Ukrainian-Israeli educator and politician, 4th Prime Minister of Israel
  • 1914Maximilian von Spee, Danish-German admiral
  • 1907Oscar II, King of Sweden and Norway
  • 1722Elizabeth Charlotte, Madame Palatine, Princess Palatine

Holidays & observances

  • —Battle Day (Falkland Islands)
  • —Bodhi Day (Japan)
  • —CARICOM–Cuba Day (Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Cuba)
  • —Christian feast day: Budoc (Beuzec) of Dol
  • —Christian feast day: Clement of Ohrid (Julian Calendar), and its related observances: Student's Day (Bulgaria)
  • —Christian feast day: Eucharius
  • —Christian feast day: Feast of the Immaculate Conception (public holiday in several countries, a holy day of obligation in others), and its related observances: Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Anglican Communion), lesser commemoration
  • —Christian feast day: Feast of the Immaculate Conception (public holiday in several countries, a holy day of obligation in others), and its related observances: Festa da Conceição da Praia, celebrating Yemanjá, Queen of the Ocean in Umbanda (Salvador, Bahia)

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