December 8: What Happened on This Day in History
December 8th marks the 342nd day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 343rd in case of leap years). There are 23 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on December 8th in history, famous birthdays on December 8th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to December 8.
What happened on December 8?
Here's what happened on December 8th in history:
- 2021: During escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine, U.S. President Joe Biden explicitly stated that American troops would not be unilaterally deployed to Ukraine as a deterrent against a potential Russian invasion, signaling a cautious diplomatic approach to the emerging geopolitical crisis.
- 2008: On December 8, 2008, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind behind the September 11 attacks, announced his guilty plea in a military tribunal. This marked a significant moment in the ongoing legal proceedings related to the attacks. source: nytimes.com
- 2002: Super Typhoon Pongsona struck Guam on December 8, 2002, causing extensive damage and leading to a state of emergency. The typhoon resulted in significant infrastructure destruction and power outages across the island, affecting thousands of residents. source: ncdc.noaa.gov
- 2000: On December 8, 2000, the United States was embroiled in a controversy over the presidential election results. The election between George W. Bush and Al Gore was contested, leading to legal battles and recounts, particularly in Florida, which ultimately reached the Supreme Court. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 1995: On December 8, 1995, an outbreak of Ebola virus was reported in Ivory Coast, marking a significant public health concern. The outbreak was contained, but it raised awareness about the virus and its potential for rapid spread. source: who.int
- 1994: Jesús 'Enrique' Líster, a prominent Spanish/Russian general who played a significant role in the Spanish Civil War, passed away at the age of 87. Líster was known for his military leadership in the Republican forces during the conflict.
- 1985: The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was established on December 8, 1985, in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It aims to promote regional integration and cooperation among its member states, which include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. SAARC focuses on economic and regional development, cultural exchange, and social progress in South Asia. source: britannica.com
- 1981: On December 8, 1981, Arthur Scargill was elected president of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), securing approximately 70% of the vote. His election marked a significant shift in the union's leadership, as he succeeded Joe Gormley, who had served as president since 1971. Scargill's tenure was characterized by his militant approach to labor disputes, most notably leading the 1984–1985 miners' strike against the UK government. source: csmonitor.com
- 1977: On December 8, 1977, Mário Soares resigned as Secretary-General of Portugal's Socialist Party after failing to convince the party to withdraw its support for President António Ramalho Eanes in the upcoming presidential elections. source: upi.com
- 1975: On December 8, 1975, President Gerald Ford signed a financing act aimed at providing financial assistance to New York City, which was facing a severe fiscal crisis. This act was part of a broader effort to stabilize the city's economy during a time of significant financial distress. source: nytimes.com
What famous birthdays are on December 8?
On December 8th there are the following famous birthdays:
![Jim Morrison]()
Jim Morrison (1943)Jim Morrison was an influential American singer, songwriter, and poet, best known as the charismatic lead vocalist of the rock band The Doors. Renowned for his distinctive voice, enigmatic personality, and poetic lyrics, Morrison became a symbol of the counterculture movement of the 1960s. [bio]
![Nicki Minaj]()
Nicki Minaj (1984)Nicki Minaj is a Trinidadian-born rapper, singer, and songwriter known for her dynamic flow, provocative lyrics, bold persona, and colorful visual style. Rising to fame with a series of mixtapes before releasing her breakthrough album 'Pink Friday' in 2010, she has become one of the most influential women in hip-hop, with numerous chart-topping singles, awards, and collaborations across genres. [bio]
![Teri Hatcher]()
Teri Hatcher (1964)Teri Hatcher is an American actress best known for her roles on television series such as 'Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman' and 'Desperate Housewives.' [bio]
![Dominic Monaghan]()
Dominic Monaghan (1976)Dominic Monaghan is an English actor best known for his roles as Merry in the 'Lord of the Rings' film trilogy and Charlie Pace on the television series 'Lost'. He has built a reputation for his versatile performances in both film and television, often appearing in science fiction and fantasy genres. [bio]
![Kim Basinger]()
Kim Basinger (1953)Kim Basinger is an American actress and former fashion model recognized for her roles in films such as 'L.A. Confidential,' 'Batman,' and '9½ Weeks.' She is known for her versatility and captivating screen presence, earning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. [bio]
![Flip Wilson]()
Flip Wilson (1933)Flip Wilson was a groundbreaking American comedian and actor, best known for hosting his own popular television variety series, 'The Flip Wilson Show,' in the early 1970s. He was celebrated for his comedic timing, influential characters such as Geraldine Jones, and for being one of the first Black entertainers to achieve mainstream television success. [bio]
![Bill Bryson]()
Bill Bryson (1951)Bill Bryson is an American-British author well known for his travel books, popular science works, and memoirs. Renowned for his wit and accessible writing style, Bryson's books, such as 'A Walk in the Woods' and 'A Short History of Nearly Everything', have made complex topics enjoyable and understandable for a wide audience. [bio]
![David Carradine]()
David Carradine (1936)David Carradine was an American actor and martial artist best known for his leading role as Kwai Chang Caine in the 1970s television series 'Kung Fu' and as the titular character in Quentin Tarantino's 'Kill Bill' films. [bio]
![Sam Hunt]()
![Ian Somerhalder]()
Ian Somerhalder (1978)Ian Somerhalder is an American actor, model, and environmental activist best known for his roles in the television series 'Lost' and 'The Vampire Diaries.' [bio]
How to check someone's birthday?
If you’re looking for a person's birth date, have a look at our Birthday Search Guide
Who died on December 8?
On December 8th the following celebrities died:
![John Lennon]()
John Lennon (1980)John Lennon was an English singer, songwriter, and peace activist, best known as a founding member of the Beatles, one of the most influential bands in the history of popular music. [bio]
![Caroll Spinney]()
Caroll Spinney (2019)Caroll Spinney was an American puppeteer, cartoonist, author, and speaker best known for his work with the long-running children's television show 'Sesame Street', where he performed as Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch from the show's inception in 1969 until his retirement in 2018. [bio]
![Marty Robbins]()
Marty Robbins (1982)Marty Robbins was an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, best known for his contributions to country music as well as his crossover success in pop and rock and roll. He achieved significant fame in the mid-20th century with hits such as 'El Paso' and 'Big Iron.' Robbins also had a notable career as a NASCAR racing driver. [bio]
![Rene Auberjonois]()
Rene Auberjonois (2019)Rene Auberjonois was an American actor and singer, best known for his roles in television, film, and on stage, including his portrayal of Odo on 'Star Trek: Deep Space Nine' and Clayton Endicott III on 'Benson.' [bio]
![Howard Rollins]()
Howard Rollins (1996)Howard Rollins was an American stage, film, and television actor best known for his roles in the film 'Ragtime' and the television series 'In the Heat of the Night.' [bio]
![Ryan O'Neal]()
Ryan O'Neal (2023)Ryan O'Neal is an American actor best known for his roles in classic films such as 'Love Story' (1970), 'Paper Moon' (1973), and 'Barry Lyndon' (1975). Rising to fame in the 1970s, he remains a notable figure in Hollywood, recognized for his romantic leads and collaborations with esteemed directors. [bio]
![Robert Prosky]()
Robert Prosky (2008)Robert Prosky was an American actor known for his extensive work in television, film, and theater. He was renowned for his versatility and depth in character roles, appearing in notable movies such as 'Mrs. Doubtfire', 'Broadcast News', and 'Dead Man Walking.' On television, he was well recognized for his role as Sgt. Stan Jablonski on 'Hill Street Blues.' [bio]
![Gladys George]()
Gladys George (1954)Gladys George was an American actress known for her work in both stage and film, particularly during the 1930s and 1940s. She was acclaimed for her dramatic roles and her distinctive voice. [bio]
![Carlotta Monti]()
![John Glenn]()
John Glenn (2016)John Glenn was a legendary American astronaut and politician who became the first American to orbit Earth in 1962.
What day of the year is December 8?
December 8th marks the 342nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 343rd in case of leap years).
There are 23 days remaining until the end of the year.
December 8th is the 8th day of the month of December.
What day of the week is December 8?
On December 8th, 2026 the day of the week is Tuesday.
| December | 2026 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
| 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
| 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 |
| 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | |||
What zodiac sign is associated with the day December 8?
The zodiac sign associated with December 8th is Sagittarius according to the Western Zodiac.
