What Happened on March 8?
All
events
births
deaths
holidays
EVENTS ON MARCH 8
Explore the most important historical events that happened on March 8, featuring key moments that shaped the world.
Aircraft pilot
Year:
1910
French aviator Raymonde de Laroche becomes the first woman to receive a pilot's license.
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Sakai incident
Year:
1868
Sakai incident: Japanese samurai kill 11 French sailors in the port of Sakai, Osaka.
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Oscar I of Sweden
Year:
1844
King Oscar I ascends to the thrones of Sweden and Norway.
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Althing
Year:
1844
The Althing, the parliament of Iceland, was reopened after 45 years of closure.
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World War I
Year:
1916
World War I: A British force unsuccessfully attempts to relieve the siege of Kut (present-day Iraq) in the Battle of Dujaila.
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United States Senate
Year:
1917
The United States Senate votes to limit filibusters by adopting the cloture rule.
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Daytona Beach and Road Course
Year:
1936
Daytona Beach and Road Course holds its first oval stock car race.
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Eduardo Dato
Year:
1921
Spanish Prime Minister Eduardo Dato Iradier is assassinated while on his way home from the parliament building in Madrid.
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BIRTHS ON MARCH 8
Discover famous people and historical figures born on March 8, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.
Gerald Potterton
Year of birth:
1931
Gerald Potterton, English-Canadian animator, director, and producer (died 2022)
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Bob Grim (baseball)
Year of birth:
1930
Bob Grim, American baseball player (died 1996)
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Douglas Hurd
Year of birth:
1930
Douglas Hurd, English politician
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Neil Postman
Year of birth:
1931
Neil Postman, American author and social critic (died 2003)
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John McPhee
Year of birth:
1931
John McPhee, American author and educator
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George Coleman
Year of birth:
1935
George Coleman, American saxophonist, composer, and bandleader
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Marv Breeding
Year of birth:
1934
Marv Breeding, American baseball player and scout (died 2006)
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Lore Segal
Year of birth:
1928
Lore Segal, American novelist (died 2024)
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DEATHS ON MARCH 8
Look back at notable individuals who passed away on March 8, and learn about their lasting influences on history.
Johannes Diderik van der Waals
Year of death:
1923
Johannes Diderik van der Waals, Dutch physicist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate (born 1837)
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Edward Terry Sanford
Year of death:
1930
Edward Terry Sanford, American jurist and politician, United States Assistant Attorney General (born 1865)
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William Howard Taft
Year of death:
1930
William Howard Taft, American politician, 27th President of the United States (born 1857)
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Ferdinand von Zeppelin
Year of death:
1917
Ferdinand von Zeppelin, German general and businessman (born 1838)
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John Ericsson
Year of death:
1889
John Ericsson, Swedish-American engineer (born 1803)
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James Buchanan Eads
Year of death:
1887
James Buchanan Eads, American engineer, designed the Eads Bridge (born 1820)
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Henry Ward Beecher
Year of death:
1887
Henry Ward Beecher, American minister and activist (born 1813)
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Minna Craucher
Year of death:
1932
Minna Craucher, Finnish socialite and spy (born 1891)
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HOLIDAYS ON MARCH 8
See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on March 8 around the world.
March 8 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Christian feast day: March 8 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
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Apollonius and Philemon
Christian feast day: Philemon the actor
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John of God
Christian feast day: John of God
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Edward King (bishop of Lincoln)
Christian feast day: Edward King (Church of England)
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Felix of Burgundy
Christian feast day: Felix of Burgundy
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International Women's Collaboration Brew Day
International Women's Day, and its related observances: International Women's Collaboration Brew Day
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