What Happened on December 8?
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events
births
deaths
holidays
EVENTS ON DECEMBER 8
Explore the most important historical events that happened on December 8, featuring key moments that shaped the world.
117th Jäger Division
Year:
1943
World War II: The German 117th Jäger Division destroys the monastery of Mega Spilaio in Greece and executes 22 monks and visitors as part of reprisals that culminated a few days later with the Massacre of Kalavryta.
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World War II
Year:
1941
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.
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Shanghai International Settlement
Year:
1941
World War II: Japanese forces simultaneously invade Shanghai International Settlement, Malaya, Thailand, Hong Kong, the Philippines, and the Dutch East Indies. (See December 7 for the concurrent attack on Pearl Harbor in the Western Hemisphere.)
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Irish Free State
Year:
1922
Two days after coming into existence, the Irish Free State executes four leaders of the Irish Republican Army: Liam Mellows, Rory O'Connor, Joe McKelvey and Dick Barrett.
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Dwight D. Eisenhower
Year:
1953
U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower delivers his "Atoms for Peace" speech, which leads to an American program to supply equipment and information on nuclear power to schools, hospitals, and research institutions around the world.
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Flag of Europe
Year:
1955
The Flag of Europe is adopted by Council of Europe.
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Fall of Damascus (2024)
Year:
2024
Damascus falls to rebels after Syrian troops withdraw and president Bashar al-Assad leaves the country as his government collapses. Israel as a result invaded into the buffer zone between Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
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SS Heraklion
Year:
1966
The Greek ship SS Heraklion sinks in a storm in the Aegean Sea, killing over 200.
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BIRTHS ON DECEMBER 8
Discover famous people and historical figures born on December 8, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.
Jerry Butler
Year of birth:
1939
Jerry Butler, American singer-songwriter and producer (died 2025)
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Red Berenson
Year of birth:
1939
Red Berenson, Canadian ice hockey player and coach
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James Galway
Year of birth:
1939
James Galway, Irish flute player
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Dariush Mehrjui
Year of birth:
1939
Dariush Mehrjui, Iranian director, producer, and screenwriter (died 2023)
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James MacArthur
Year of birth:
1937
James MacArthur, American actor (died 2010)
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Soko Richardson
Year of birth:
1939
Soko Richardson, American drummer (died 2004)
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Brant Alyea
Year of birth:
1940
Brant Alyea, American baseball player (died 2024)
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Geoff Hurst
Year of birth:
1941
Geoff Hurst, English footballer and manager
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DEATHS ON DECEMBER 8
Look back at notable individuals who passed away on December 8, and learn about their lasting influences on history.
José Vicente Concha
Year of death:
1929
José Vicente Concha, Colombian politician and 8th President of Colombia (born 1867)
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Joe McKelvey
Year of death:
1922
Joe McKelvey and three other prominent Irish Republican Army officers are executed during the Irish Civil War
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Gertrude Jekyll
Year of death:
1932
Gertrude Jekyll, British horticulturist and writer (born 1843)
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Hans Molisch
Year of death:
1937
Hans Molisch, Czech-Austrian botanist and academic (born 1856)
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Friedrich Glauser
Year of death:
1938
Friedrich Glauser, Swiss author (born 1896)
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J. Alden Weir
Year of death:
1919
J. Alden Weir, American painter (born 1852)
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Josip Stadler
Year of death:
1918
Josip Stadler, Bosnian Catholic archbishop (born 1843)
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Camille Jenatzy
Year of death:
1913
Camille Jenatzy, Belgian race car driver (born 1868)
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HOLIDAYS ON DECEMBER 8
See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on December 8 around the world.
December 8 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Christian feast day: December 8 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
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Romaric
Christian feast day: Romaric
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Richard Baxter
Christian feast day: Richard Baxter (US Episcopal Church)
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Pope Eutychian
Christian feast day: Pope Eutychian
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Public holidays in Romania
Constitution Day (Romania)
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Liberation Day (Syria)
Liberation Day (Syria)
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Nations, Nationalities and Peoples' Day
Nations, Nationalities and Peoples' Day (Ethiopia)
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Arbor Day
Earliest day on which National Tree Planting Day can fall, while December 14 is the latest; celebrated on the second Monday in December. (Malawi)
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