✦ DateLore

On This Day · The 67th day of the year

March 8

A look at March 8 through the almanac — historic events, famous birthdays including Michael S. Hart and Ignacy Łukasiewicz, and the day's notable deaths and observances.

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Events

10 notable moments
  1. 2017

    Azure Window

    The Azure Window, a natural arch on the Maltese island of Gozo, collapses in stormy weather.

    Former natural arch in
  2. 2014

    Malaysia Airlines Flight 370

    In one of aviation's greatest mysteries, Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, carrying a total of 239 people, disappears en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. The fate of the flight remains unknown.

    2014 aircraft disappearance
  3. 1983

    Cold War

    Cold War: While addressing a convention of Evangelicals, U.S. President Ronald Reagan labels the Soviet Union an "evil empire".

    1947–1991 geopolitical rivalry between
  4. 1979

    Voyager 1

    Images taken by Voyager 1 prove the existence of volcanoes on Io, a moon of Jupiter.

    NASA space probe launched
  5. 1966

    Nelson's Pillar

    Nelson's Pillar in Dublin, Ireland, is destroyed by a bomb.

    Former column and statue
  6. 1963

    Ba'ath Party

    The Ba'ath Party comes to power in Syria in a coup d'état.

    Syrian political party (1947–1966)
  7. 1924

    Castle Gate Mine disaster

    A mine disaster kills 172 coal miners near Castle Gate, Utah.

    1924 coal mine explosion
  8. 1916

    World War I

    World War I: A British force unsuccessfully attempts to relieve the siege of Kut (present-day Iraq) in the Battle of Dujaila.

    1914–1918 global conflict
  9. 1736

    Nader Shah

    Nader Shah, founder of the Afsharid dynasty, is crowned Shah of Iran.

    Shah of Iran from
  10. 1702

    Anne, Queen of Great Britain

    Queen Anne, the younger sister of Mary II, becomes Queen regnant of England, Scotland, and Ireland.

    Queen of Great Britain
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Famous birthday twins

Born on March 8

Michael S. Hart

b. 1947

American author, founded Project Gutenberg

Ignacy Łukasiewicz

b. 1822

Polish inventor and businessman, invented the Kerosene lamp

Petra Kvitová

b. 1990

Czech tennis player

Otto Hahn

b. 1879

German chemist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate

Michael Bartels

b. 1968

German race car driver

Cyd Charisse

b. 1922

American actress and dancer

Ralph H. Baer

b. 1922

German-American video game designer, created the Magnavox Odyssey

Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach

b. 1714

German pianist and composer

Deaths

  • 2013Ewald-Heinrich von Kleist-Schmenzin, German soldier and publisher
  • 1975George Stevens, American director, producer, and screenwriter
  • 1930William Howard Taft, American politician, 27th President of the United States
  • 1874Millard Fillmore, American lawyer and politician, 13th President of the United States
  • 1869Hector Berlioz, French composer, conductor, and critic
  • 1844Charles XIV John, of Sweden

Holidays & observances

  • —Christian feast day: Edward King (Church of England)
  • —Christian feast day: Felix of Burgundy
  • —Christian feast day: John of God
  • —Christian feast day: Philemon the actor
  • —Christian feast day: March 8 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
  • —International Women's Day, and its related observances: International Women's Collaboration Brew Day

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