May 8: What Happened on This Day in History
May 8th marks the 128th day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 129th in case of leap years). There are 237 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on May 8th in history, famous birthdays on May 8th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to May 8.
What happened on May 8?
Here's what happened on May 8th in history:
- 2022: Russian military forces bombed a school in Bilohorivka, Luhansk Oblast, where approximately 90 people were sheltering. The attack potentially resulted in up to 60 fatalities, with 30 people rescued. The incident highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
- 2019: Taiwan passed a stringent law making Chinese espionage punishable by life imprisonment or potentially death, reflecting heightened cross-strait tensions and national security concerns.
- 2007: On May 8, 2007, U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton announced a plan to reduce the cost of AIDS medications, aiming to make treatment more accessible for low-income individuals. The initiative sought to address the financial barriers to HIV/AIDS care in the United States. source: nytimes.com
- 2005: On May 8, 2005, Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika called on France to recognize the 1945 Setif massacre, where French forces killed thousands of Algerians. This event remains a contentious issue in Franco-Algerian relations. source: aljazeera.com
- 2003: Two tornadic supercells produced four tornadoes in south central Oklahoma during the afternoon, including an F3 tornado in the northern metro area.
- 1979: On May 8, 1979, Salvadoran police opened fire on anti-government protesters outside the Metropolitan Cathedral in San Salvador, resulting in at least 18 deaths and numerous injuries. The protest, organized by the left-wing Popular Revolutionary Bloc, was demanding the release of five leaders imprisoned by the military government. Eyewitnesses reported that the police fired automatic rifles into the crowd without warning, causing panic as demonstrators sought refuge inside the cathedral. The incident intensified the political unrest in El Salvador, leading to further violence and contributing to the escalation of the Salvadoran Civil War. source: news.bbc.co.uk
- 1974: William E. Simon was appointed as the new United States Treasury Secretary, succeeding George P. Shultz and continuing the Nixon administration's economic leadership.
- 1973: The Skylab space station was launched by NASA on May 8, 1973. It was the United States' first space station and served as a laboratory for scientific research in microgravity. Skylab operated until 1979, providing valuable data on long-duration space missions. source: nasa.gov
- 1972: On May 8, 1972, President Richard Nixon delivered a significant address regarding U.S. policy in Southeast Asia. This speech was part of his administration's efforts to navigate the complexities of the Vietnam War. source: archives.gov
- 1971: On May 8, 1971, Joe Frazier faced Muhammad Ali in a highly anticipated boxing match, marking the first time the two champions met in the ring. Frazier won the bout, solidifying his status in boxing history. source: boxingnews24.com
What famous birthdays are on May 8?
On May 8th there are the following famous birthdays:
![David Attenborough]()
David Attenborough (1926)Sir David Attenborough is a distinguished British naturalist, broadcaster, and documentary filmmaker renowned for his influential work in bringing the wonders of the natural world to global audiences. His captivating narration and leadership in groundbreaking nature documentaries have inspired generations to appreciate and advocate for environmental conservation. [bio]
![Enrique Iglesias]()
Enrique Iglesias (1975)Enrique Iglesias is a Spanish singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor, widely recognized as one of the most successful Latin recording artists in the world. Known for his crossover success in both Latin and English-language music, he has sold over 180 million records worldwide and is often referred to as the 'King of Latin Pop.' [bio]
![Ricky Nelson]()
Ricky Nelson (1940)Ricky Nelson was an influential American singer, songwriter, and actor who rose to fame in the 1950s as both a teenage rock-and-roll star and a television personality. He is known for his string of hit singles, successful albums, and his key role in shaping early rock music. [bio]
![Daniel Kaluuya]()
Daniel Kaluuya (1989)Daniel Kaluuya is a critically acclaimed British actor, screenwriter, and producer, best known for his roles in films such as 'Get Out,' 'Black Panther,' and 'Judas and the Black Messiah.' He has received numerous accolades, including an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. [bio]
![Don Rickles]()
Don Rickles (1926)Don Rickles was an American stand-up comedian, actor, and author, best known for his insult comedy and his roles in both film and television. Frequently referred to as 'The Merchant of Venom,' Rickles was a beloved and influential figure in comedy, captivating audiences with his quick wit and acerbic humor over a career that spanned more than six decades. [bio]
![Sonny Liston]()
Sonny Liston (1932)Sonny Liston was an American professional boxer who became the world heavyweight champion from 1962 to 1964. Renowned for his formidable punching power and intimidating presence, Liston is considered one of the most fearsome heavyweights in boxing history. [bio]
![Luis Enrique]()
Luis Enrique (1970)Luis Enrique is a renowned Spanish football manager and former professional player, known for his versatility on the field and for managing prominent football clubs and the Spain national team. [bio]
![Martin Compston]()
Martin Compston (1984)Martin Compston is a Scottish actor and former professional footballer, best known for playing Detective Sergeant Steve Arnott in the BBC crime drama series 'Line of Duty.' [bio]
![Anthony Field]()
Anthony Field (1963)Anthony Field is an Australian musician, songwriter, actor, and producer, best known as a founding member of the children's music group The Wiggles. [bio]
![Melissa Gilbert]()
Melissa Gilbert (1964)Melissa Gilbert is an American actress and television director best known for her role as Laura Ingalls Wilder on the NBC television series "Little House on the Prairie" (1974–1983). She has also appeared in numerous television films, series, and stage productions, and served as president of the Screen Actors Guild from 2001 to 2005. [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 May 8?
On May 8th the following celebrities died:
![George Peppard]()
George Peppard (1994)George Peppard was an American film and television actor best known for his leading roles in 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' and the 1980s television series 'The A-Team.' [bio]
![Dirk Bogarde]()
Dirk Bogarde (1999)Dirk Bogarde was a distinguished English actor and writer, known for his versatile performances in film, stage, and literature. Over his decades-long career, he became one of Britain's most prominent and critically acclaimed actors, especially celebrated for his roles in films produced by Rank Organisation and later for more challenging roles in international cinema. [bio]
![Dennis Waterman]()
Dennis Waterman (2022)Dennis Waterman was an English actor and singer, best known for his roles in popular television series such as 'The Sweeney', 'Minder', and 'New Tricks'. Renowned for playing 'tough guy' characters, he also sang the theme songs for many of the shows he starred in. [bio]
![Jeanne Cooper]()
Jeanne Cooper (2013)Jeanne Cooper was a renowned American actress best known for her long-running role as Katherine Chancellor on the daytime soap opera 'The Young and the Restless.' Her career spanned over six decades, making her one of the most respected figures in American television. [bio]
![Barbara Payton]()
Barbara Payton (1967)Barbara Payton was an American film actress best known for her roles in crime and noir films during the 1940s and 1950s. Though her career started promisingly in Hollywood, her personal life and struggles with addiction led to a highly publicized decline. [bio]
![Luis Miguel]()
Luis Miguel (1996)Luis Miguel, often referred to as 'El Sol de México', is one of the most successful and influential Latin American singers. Renowned for his powerful vocals and mastery over a variety of musical genres, including pop, bolero, mariachi, and romantic ballads, Luis Miguel has captivated audiences and sold over 100 million records worldwide. [bio]
![Richard Derr]()
![Maurice Sendak]()
Maurice Sendak (2012)Maurice Sendak was a renowned American children's book author and illustrator, most famous for his groundbreaking work 'Where the Wild...
![Celedonio Romero]()
Celedonio Romero (1996)Renowned Spanish classical guitarist who co-founded the famous Romeros Guitar Quartet, significantly contributing to classical guitar...
![LaVerne Andrews]()
LaVerne Andrews (1967)Member of the legendary Andrews Sisters, a close harmony singing group that sold over 75 million records.
What day of the year is May 8?
May 8th marks the 128th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 129th in case of leap years).
There are 237 days remaining until the end of the year.
May 8th is the 8th day of the month of May.
What day of the week is May 8?
On May 8th, 2026 the day of the week is Friday.
| May | 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 May 8?
The zodiac sign associated with May 8th is Taurus according to the Western Zodiac.
