32 events · 20 births · 20 deaths · 8 observances. From 1373 to 2025.
Standout on May 8
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected as Pope Leo XIV (pictured), making him the first pope born in the United States, the first to hold either U.S. or Peruvian citizenship, the first from the Order of Saint Augustine, and the second from the Americas after his immediate predecessor, Pope Francis.
May 8 is the 128th day of the year. These facts are computed from the calendar, not copied from anywhere.
A dated happening — a battle, treaty, launch, discovery, disaster or decision — recorded on this calendar day.
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected as Pope Leo XIV (pictured), making him the first pope born in the United States, the first to hold either U.S. or Peruvian citizenship, the first from the Order of Saint Augustine, and the second from the Americas after his immediate predecessor, Pope Francis.
A car bomb explodes in front of a school in Kabul, capital city of Afghanistan killing at least 55 people and wounding over 150.
British 17-year-old Isabelle Holdaway is reported to be the first patient ever to receive a genetically modified phage therapy to treat a drug-resistant infection.
China Southern Airlines Flight 3456 crashes on approach into Bao'an International Airport, killing 35 people.
A fire at Illinois Bell's Hinsdale Central Office triggers an extended 1AESS network outage once considered to be the "worst telecommunications disaster in US telephone industry history".
A British Special Air Service unit ambushed a Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) unit in Loughgall, Northern Ireland, killing eight IRA members and one civilian.
The Soviet Union announces a boycott upon the Summer Olympics at Los Angeles, later joined by 14 other countries.
Corporal Denis Lortie enters the Quebec National Assembly and opens fire, killing three people and wounding 13. René Jalbert, Sergeant-at-Arms of the Assembly, succeeds in calming him, for which he will later receive the Cross of Valour.
The Thames Barrier is officially opened, preventing the floodplain of most of Greater London from being flooded except under extreme circumstances.
The Soviet Union announced the boycott of the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, citing security concerns.
The World Health Organization confirms the eradication of smallpox.
The first ascent of Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen, by Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler.
Great American Revolution opened at Six Flags Magic Mountain, California.
A 71-day standoff between federal authorities and the American Indian Movement members occupying the Pine Ridge Reservation at Wounded Knee, South Dakota ends with the surrender of the militants.
Four members of Black September hijacked Sabena Flight 571 to demand the release of 315 Palestinians convicted on terrorism charges.
Vietnam War: U.S. President Richard Nixon announces his order to place naval mines in major North Vietnamese ports in order to stem the flow of weapons and other goods to that nation.
Construction workers attacked students and others who were protesting the Vietnam War in New York City.
The Beatles release their 12th and final studio album Let It Be.
The Philippine province of Davao is split into three: Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, and Davao Oriental.
South Vietnamese soldiers under the Roman Catholic President Ngo Dinh Diem open fire on Buddhists defying a ban on the flying of the Buddhist flag on Vesak, killing nine and sparking the Buddhist crisis.
In Huế, South Vietnam, soldiers opened fire into a crowd of Buddhists protesting against a government ban on the flying of the Buddhist flag on Phật Đản, killing nine and sparking the Buddhist crisis.
South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem begins a state visit to the United States, his regime's main sponsor.
South Vietnamese president Ngô Đình Diệm began a state visit to the United States, his regime's main sponsor.
The Tollund Man, a naturally mummified corpse, was discovered in a peat bog near Silkeborg, Denmark.
Estonian schoolgirls Aili Jõgi and Ageeda Paavel blow up the Soviet memorial which preceded the Bronze Soldier of Tallinn.
A parade in Sétif, French Algeria, celebrating the end of World War II in Europe became a riot and was followed by reprisals, carried out by colonial authorities over the following weeks, that killed thousands.
World War II: The Axis launched a major counteroffensive, turning the tide of the Battle of the Kerch Peninsula.
French aviators Charles Nungesser and François Coli aboard the biplane L'Oiseau Blanc took off from Paris, attempting to make the first non-stop flight to New York, only to disappear before arrival.
A train derailed and caught fire near Versailles, France, killing at least 52 people.
Greek War of Independence: At the Battle of Gravia Inn, a 120-man Greek force led by Odysseas Androutsos repulsed an Ottoman army of 8,000 soldiers.
First English Civil War: The first siege of Wardour Castle ended after six days with the surrender of the Royalist garrison under Lady Blanche Arundell
Julian of Norwich experienced religious visions, later recorded in Revelations of Divine Love, the earliest surviving English-language work attributed to a woman.
A notable person born on this day. Each links to a person page with their dates and story.
A notable person who died on this day.
Anne V. Coates, British film editor (Lawrence of Arabia, The Elephant Man, Erin Brockovich), Oscar winner (1963) (born 1925)
William Schallert, American actor; president (1979–81) of the Screen Actors Guild (born 1922)
Atanas Semerdzhiev, Bulgarian soldier and politician, 1st Vice President of Bulgaria (born 1924)
A holiday, feast day, awareness day or national day observed every year on this date.
Christian feast day: Blessed Catherine of St. Augustine
Christian feast day: Arsenius the Great
Christian feast day: Amato Ronconi
Christian feast day: Julian of Norwich (Anglican, Lutheran)
Christian feast day: Magdalene of Canossa
Christian feast day: Desideratus
Christian feast day: Pope Boniface IV
Christian feast day: Apparition of Saint Michael
Earliest: Julian of Norwich (1373). Most recent: 2025 conclave (2025).
May 8 is the 128th day of the year, with 237 days left after it.
May 8 falls under Taurus (April 20 – May 20), a earth sign ruled by Venus. The birthstone for the month is Emerald.
We record 80 entries for May 8: 32 events · 20 births · 20 deaths · 8 observances. From 1373 to 2025.
Oliver Bearman (2005) is among the notable births on May 8. The births section lists the rest.
The day is filled the first time anyone opens it and then re-checked for new entries about every 90 days. Computed facts such as the weekday and the anniversaries update every year.
One short email a day from this calendar. Kept for this site only.
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