What Happened on May 8?
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events
births
deaths
holidays
EVENTS ON MAY 8
Explore the most important historical events that happened on May 8, featuring key moments that shaped the world.
John Stith Pemberton
Year:
1886
Pharmacist John Pemberton first sells a carbonated beverage named "Coca-Cola" as a patent medicine.
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Mount Pelée
Year:
1902
In Martinique, Mount Pelée erupts, destroying the town of Saint-Pierre and killing over 30,000 people. Only a handful of residents survive the blast.
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Mexican–American War
Year:
1846
Mexican–American War: American forces led by Zachary Taylor defeat a Mexican force north of the Rio Grande in the first major battle of the war.
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Versailles rail accident
Year:
1842
A train derails and catches fire in Paris, killing between 52 and 200 people.
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Greek War of Independence
Year:
1821
Greek War of Independence: The Greeks defeat the Turks at the Battle of Gravia Inn.
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Edward George Honey
Year:
1919
Edward George Honey proposes the idea of a moment of silence to commemorate the Armistice of 11 November 1918 which ended World War I.
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Romanian Communist Party
Year:
1921
The creation of the Communist Party of Romania.
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Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Year:
1942
World War II: Gunners of the Ceylon Garrison Artillery on Horsburgh Island in the Cocos Islands rebel in the Cocos Islands Mutiny. Their mutiny is crushed and three of them are executed, the only British Commonwealth soldiers to be executed for mutiny during the Second World War.
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BIRTHS ON MAY 8
Discover famous people and historical figures born on May 8, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.
Turkey Stearnes
Year of birth:
1901
Turkey Stearnes, American baseball player (died 1979)
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Arthur Q. Bryan
Year of birth:
1899
Arthur Q. Bryan, American actor, voice actor, comedian and radio personality (died 1959)
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Friedrich Hayek
Year of birth:
1899
Friedrich Hayek, Austrian economist and philosopher, Nobel Prize laureate (died 1992)
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Jacques Heim
Year of birth:
1899
Jacques Heim, French fashion designer (died 1967)
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André Michel Lwoff
Year of birth:
1902
André Michel Lwoff, French microbiologist and physician, Nobel Prize laureate (died 1994)
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Fernandel
Year of birth:
1903
Fernandel, French actor and singer (died 1971)
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Roberto Rossellini
Year of birth:
1906
Roberto Rossellini, Italian director and screenwriter (died 1977)
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Red Nichols
Year of birth:
1905
Red Nichols, American cornet player, composer, and bandleader (died 1965)
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DEATHS ON MAY 8
Look back at notable individuals who passed away on May 8, and learn about their lasting influences on history.
Wilhelm Rediess
Year of death:
1945
Wilhelm Rediess, German SS officer (born 1900)
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Bernhard Rust
Year of death:
1945
Bernhard Rust, German lieutenant and politician (born 1883)
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Julius Hirsch
Year of death:
1945
Julius Hirsch, German footballer (born 1892)
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Frank Bourne
Year of death:
1945
Frank Bourne, British soldier, last survivor of the Battle of Rorke's Drift (born 1854)
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U Saw
Year of death:
1948
U Saw, Burmese politician, Prime Minister of Burma (born 1900)
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Harry Gordon Selfridge
Year of death:
1947
Harry Gordon Selfridge, American-English businessman, founded Selfridges (born 1858)
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Josef Terboven
Year of death:
1945
Josef Terboven, German lieutenant and politician (born 1898)
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Mordechai Anielewicz
Year of death:
1943
Mordechai Anielewicz, Polish commander (born 1919)
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HOLIDAYS ON MAY 8
See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on May 8 around the world.
Public holidays in Mexico
Miguel Hidalgo's birthday (Mexico)
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Liberation Day
Liberation Day (Czech Republic)
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Furry Dance
Furry Dance (Helston, UK)
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Truman Day
Truman Day (Missouri)
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Veterans Day (Norway)
Veterans Day (Norway)
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World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day
World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day (International)
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Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in World War II 1939 – 1945
Victory in Europe Day, and its related observances (Europe): Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in World War II 1939 – 1945 (Ukraine)
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Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives during the Second World War
Victory in Europe Day, and its related observances (Europe): Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives during the Second World War, continues to May 9
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