January 8: What Happened on This Day in History
January 8th marks the 8th day of the Gregorian calendar year. There are 357 days (358 in case of leap years) remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on January 8th in history, famous birthdays on January 8th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to January 8.
What happened on January 8?
Here's what happened on January 8th in history:
- 2020: In retaliation for the U.S. killing of General Qasem Soleimani, Iran launched Operation Martyr Soleimani, firing ballistic missiles at multiple U.S. Armed Forces facilities in Iraq, including Al Asad Airbase. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned regional countries against allowing U.S. military operations against Iran. In response, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration banned all commercial flights in the airspace over Iraq, Iran, the Persian Gulf, and the Gulf of Oman due to escalating geopolitical tensions.
- 2011: On January 8, 2011, protests erupted in Algeria in response to rising food prices and economic hardship. Demonstrators called for political reforms and greater economic opportunities, reflecting widespread discontent with the government. source: bbc.com
- 2010: On January 8, 2010, the Togo national football team bus was ambushed by gunmen in Angola's Cabinda province as the team traveled to the Africa Cup of Nations tournament. The attack resulted in the deaths of the bus driver, assistant coach, and team spokesman, and injured nine others, including players Kodjovi Obilalé and Serge Akakpo. The separatist group Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda-Military Position (FLEC-PM) claimed responsibility for the attack. source: aljazeera.com
- 2004: On January 8, 2004, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace released a report titled "WMD in Iraq: Evidence and Implications." The report analyzed pre-war intelligence on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, concluding that Iraq was not an imminent threat and that UN inspections were more effective than previously realized. It also criticized the intelligence process and recommended policy reforms to improve threat assessments and strengthen nonproliferation efforts. source: carnegieendowment.org
- 1999: On January 8, 1999, Wangari Maathai led a protest in Karura Forest, Kenya, advocating for environmental conservation and against deforestation. This event highlighted the importance of environmental activism in Kenya and Maathai's role as a leader in this movement. source: theguardian.com
- 1998: Ramzi Yousef, convicted of masterminding the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole on January 8, 1998. The bombing resulted in six deaths and over 1,000 injuries. source: news.bbc.co.uk
- 1996: François Mitterrand, the longest-serving President of France, died on January 8, 1996, at the age of 79 in Paris. He had been battling prostate cancer, a condition he had kept private during his presidency. source: news.bbc.co.uk
- 1993: On January 8, 1993, Michael Jordan, the renowned basketball player, scored his 20,000th career point, solidifying his status as one of the greatest players in NBA history. source: brainyhistory.com
- 1988: On January 8, 1988, the Dow Jones Industrial Average experienced a significant decline, falling 140.58 points (6.85%) to close at 1,911.31. This marked one of the largest percentage drops in the index's history at that time. The selloff was attributed to factors such as computer-coordinated trading and rekindled investor nervousness about market volatility and its potential impact on the economy. source: washingtonpost.com
- 1973: On January 8, 1973, secret negotiations for a Vietnam peace settlement resumed in Paris between U.S. National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger and North Vietnamese negotiator Lê Đức Thọ. source: reuters.screenocean.com
What famous birthdays are on January 8?
On January 8th there are the following famous birthdays:
![Elvis Presley]()
Elvis Presley (1935)Elvis Presley was an American singer and actor, often referred to as the 'King of Rock and Roll.' He became an icon of 20th-century pop culture for his powerful voice, distinctive performance style, and lasting influence on the music industry. [bio]
![Stephen Hawking]()
Stephen Hawking (1942)Stephen Hawking was a renowned British theoretical physicist, cosmologist, and author, celebrated for his groundbreaking work on black holes and the nature of the universe. He held the position of Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge and became widely recognized for his scientific achievements as well as his popular science books, including 'A Brief History of Time.' [bio]
![David Bowie]()
David Bowie (1947)David Bowie was a legendary British rock musician, singer-songwriter, and cultural icon renowned for his distinctive voice, visionary songwriting, and constant artistic reinvention. His influence spanned across music, fashion, and pop culture, notably through alter egos like Ziggy Stardust. With a career that stretched over five decades, Bowie pushed creative boundaries and is widely considered one of the most influential … [bio]
![David Silva]()
David Silva (1986)David Silva is a Spanish professional footballer renowned for his exceptional vision, passing, and leadership on the field. Best known for his successful tenure at Manchester City and for his significant contribution to Spain's national team, Silva is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders of his generation. [bio]
![Graham Chapman]()
Graham Chapman (1941)Graham Chapman was an English comedian, writer, actor, and member of the comedy group Monty Python. He is best known for co-writing and starring in "Monty Python's Flying Circus" and films such as "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" and "Monty Python's Life of Brian." [bio]
![José Ferrer]()
José Ferrer (1912)José Ferrer was a Puerto Rican actor and director, best known for his groundbreaking work on stage and screen. He was the first Hispanic actor to win an Academy Award for Best Actor, celebrated for his performance in 'Cyrano de Bergerac' (1950). [bio]
![Jenny Lewis]()
Jenny Lewis (1976)Jenny Lewis is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and actress. She is best known as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for the indie rock band Rilo Kiley, as well as for her successful solo career. Lewis has been recognized for her distinctive voice and lyrical songwriting. [bio]
![William Hartnell]()
William Hartnell (1908)William Hartnell was an English actor, most famously known as the original actor to portray the Doctor in the long-running British science fiction series 'Doctor Who.' His career spanned film, television, and stage from the 1920s until the early 1970s. [bio]
![Cynthia Erivo]()
Cynthia Erivo (1987)Cynthia Erivo is a British actress, singer, and songwriter renowned for her work in theater, film, and television. She gained widespread acclaim for her role as Celie in the Broadway revival of 'The Color Purple,' which earned her a Tony Award. Erivo has also received Academy Award nominations for her performance in the film 'Harriet.' [bio]
![John McTiernan]()
John McTiernan (1951)John McTiernan is an American film director, producer, and screenwriter best known for directing action films such as 'Die Hard,' 'Predator,' and 'The Hunt for Red October.' His works are widely credited with shaping the modern action film genre. [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 January 8?
On January 8th the following celebrities died:
![Galileo Galilei]()
Galileo Galilei (1642)Galileo Galilei was an Italian astronomer, physicist, and engineer who made revolutionary contributions to science, laying the foundations of modern physics and observational astronomy. He is renowned for his improvements to the telescope, astronomical observations, and his support for the Copernican heliocentric system, which eventually led to conflict with the Roman Catholic Church. [bio]
![Robert Baden-Powell]()
Robert Baden-Powell (1941)Robert Baden-Powell was a British Army officer, writer, and founder of the worldwide Scouting movement. He is best known for establishing the Boy Scouts in 1907 and later the Girl Guides with his sister Agnes Baden-Powell. Baden-Powell's pioneering work in youth development has had a lasting influence globally. [bio]
![Edd Byrnes]()
Edd Byrnes (2020)Edd Byrnes was an American actor best known for his role as 'Kookie' in the television series '77 Sunset Strip' and later for his role as Vince Fontaine in the film 'Grease'. He became a pop culture icon in the late 1950s and early 1960s due to his charismatic performances and unique persona. [bio]
![Yvonne De Carlo]()
Yvonne De Carlo (2007)Yvonne De Carlo was a Canadian-American actress, singer, and dancer, best known for her roles in Hollywood films of the 1940s and 1950s, and for portraying Lily Munster in the CBS television series 'The Munsters.' [bio]
![John Gregson]()
John Gregson (1975)John Gregson was a well-known English actor, best remembered for his roles in British films of the 1950s and 1960s, particularly in Ealing comedies and as a leading man in popular postwar cinema. [bio]
![Lois Wilson]()
![Zbigniew Cybulski]()
![Paul Verlaine]()
![Arcangelo Corelli]()
Arcangelo Corelli (1713)Arcangelo Corelli was an Italian composer and violinist who is considered one of the most influential figures in the development of the...
![Iwao Takamoto]()
Iwao Takamoto (2007)Renowned Japanese-American animator who created the iconic cartoon character Scooby-Doo, working extensively with Hanna-Barbera Productions.
What day of the year is January 8?
January 8th marks the 8th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar.
There are 357 days remaining until the end of the year (or 358 days in case of leap years).
January 8th is the 8th day of the month of January.
What zodiac sign is associated with the day January 8?
The zodiac sign associated with January 8th is Capricorn according to the Western Zodiac.
