What Happened on February 8?
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events
births
deaths
holidays
EVENTS ON FEBRUARY 8
Explore the most important historical events that happened on February 8, featuring key moments that shaped the world.
Dawes Act
Year:
1887
The Dawes Act is enacted, authorizing the U.S. President to divide Native American tribal land into individual allotments.
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Japanese in Hawaii
Year:
1885
The first Japanese immigrants arrive in Hawaii.
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Sandford Fleming
Year:
1879
Sandford Fleming first proposes the adoption of Universal Standard Time at a meeting of the Royal Canadian Institute.
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England cricket team
Year:
1879
England's cricket team, led by Lord Harris, is attacked in a riot during a match in Sydney.
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Royal Netherlands East Indies Army
Year:
1904
The Dutch Colonial Army's Marechaussee regiment led by General G.C.E. van Daalen launch a military campaign in the Dutch East Indies' Northern Sumatra region, leading to the deaths of thousands of civilians.
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Empire of Japan
Year:
1904
Japanese forces launch a surprise attack against Russian-controlled Port Arthur, marking the start of the Russo-Japanese war.
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Spanish Civil War
Year:
1937
Spanish Civil War: Republican forces establish the Interprovincial Council of Santander, Palencia and Burgos in Cantabria.
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Capital punishment in the United States
Year:
1924
The first state execution in the United States by gas chamber takes place in Nevada.
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BIRTHS ON FEBRUARY 8
Discover famous people and historical figures born on February 8, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.
Lana Turner
Year of birth:
1921
Lana Turner, American actress (died 1995)
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Freddie Blassie
Year of birth:
1918
Freddie Blassie, American wrestler and manager (died 2003)
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Georges Guétary
Year of birth:
1915
Georges Guétary, Egyptian-French singer, dancer, and actor (died 1997)
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Bill Finger
Year of birth:
1914
Bill Finger, American author and screenwriter, co-created Batman (died 1974)
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Nexhmije Hoxha
Year of birth:
1921
Nexhmije Hoxha, Albanian politician (died 2020)
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Audrey Meadows
Year of birth:
1922
Audrey Meadows, American actress and banker (died 1996)
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Neal Cassady
Year of birth:
1926
Neal Cassady, American author and poet (died 1968)
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Birgitte Reimer
Year of birth:
1926
Birgitte Reimer, Danish film actress (died 2021)
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DEATHS ON FEBRUARY 8
Look back at notable individuals who passed away on February 8, and learn about their lasting influences on history.
John von Neumann
Year of death:
1957
John von Neumann, Hungarian-American mathematician and physicist (born 1903)
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Connie Mack
Year of death:
1956
Connie Mack, American baseball player and manager (born 1862)
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Walther Bothe
Year of death:
1957
Walther Bothe, German physicist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate (born 1891)
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William J. Donovan
Year of death:
1959
William J. Donovan, American head of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) (born 1883)
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Giles Gilbert Scott
Year of death:
1960
Giles Gilbert Scott, English architect and engineer, designed the Red telephone box and Liverpool Cathedral (born 1880)
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Italo Santelli
Year of death:
1945
Italo Santelli, Italian fencer and coach (born 1866)
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Olga Taratuta
Year of death:
1938
Olga Taratuta, Ukrainian Jewish anarchist (born 1876)
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Theodor Curtius
Year of death:
1928
Theodor Curtius, German chemist (born 1857)
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HOLIDAYS ON FEBRUARY 8
See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on February 8 around the world.
Stephen of Muret
Christian feast day: Stephen of Muret
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February 8 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Christian feast day: February 8 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
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Parinirvana Day
Parinirvana Day (some Mahayana Buddhism traditions; most celebrate on February 15)
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Prešeren Day
Prešeren Day (Slovenia)
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Cuthmann of Steyning
Christian feast day: Cuthmann of Steyning
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Juventius of Pavia
Christian feast day: Juventius of Pavia
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Ælfflæd of Whitby
Christian feast day: Elffled of Whitby
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Military Foundation Day
Military Foundation Day (North Korea)
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