August 8: What Happened on This Day in History
August 8th marks the 220th day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 221st in case of leap years). There are 145 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on August 8th in history, famous birthdays on August 8th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to August 8.
What happened on August 8?
Here's what happened on August 8th in history:
- 2023: A catastrophic series of wind-driven wildfires devastated the Hawaiian island of Maui, particularly destroying the historic town of Lahaina. The fires burned approximately 17,000 acres of land, resulting in at least 100 confirmed fatalities and four individuals reported missing. The rapid spread of the fires, fueled by strong winds and dry conditions, created an unprecedented humanitarian and environmental crisis.
- 2018: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced significant changes to the Academy Awards, including plans for a shorter ceremony and the introduction of a new 'Most Popular Film' category to broaden audience engagement.
- 2015: During the ongoing War in Afghanistan, a NATO soldier was killed in an overnight attack on Camp Integrity in Kabul. Eight support staff were also killed, and two Taliban insurgents were wounded in the incident.
- 2013: During the ongoing War in Afghanistan, a bomb explosion at a cemetery in Nangarhar province killed at least 14 people, further demonstrating the persistent violence and instability in the region.
- 1991: Musician Billy Preston, known for his work with The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, was charged with exhibiting pornography to a minor, marking a serious legal incident in his career.
- 1986: Altaf Hussain delivered a pivotal speech at Nishtar Park in Karachi, officially announcing the formation of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), a significant political party representing urban Sindh's ethnic Mohajir population. This moment marked a critical turning point in Pakistan's political landscape, establishing a new ethno-political platform.
- 1984: Carl Lewis secured his third gold medal in the 200-meter sprint at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, further solidifying his status as a legendary track and field athlete.
- 1983: A jury in Kansas City, Missouri, awarded TV anchorwoman Christine Craft $500,000 in a landmark sex discrimination lawsuit against KMBC-TV, marking a significant moment in workplace gender equality.
- 1982: Professional golfer Sandra Palmer secured victory at the LPGA Boston Five Golf Classic, showcasing her competitive prowess in women's professional golf during the early 1980s.
- 1978: NASA launched the Pioneer-Venus 2 spacecraft from Cape Canaveral, carrying five sophisticated atmospheric probes designed to study the complex atmospheric conditions of Venus. This mission was a critical part of humanity's early exploration of our neighboring planet, aimed at understanding its extreme environmental characteristics.
What famous birthdays are on August 8?
On August 8th there are the following famous birthdays:
![Dustin Hoffman]()
Dustin Hoffman (1937)Legendary American actor who revolutionized cinema with iconic performances in films like 'The Graduate' and 'Kramer vs.
![Roger Penrose]()
Roger Penrose (1931)Renowned British mathematician and theoretical physicist known for groundbreaking work in general relativity, quantum mechanics, and...
![Faye Wong]()
Faye Wong (1969)Faye Wong is a renowned Chinese singer and actress, widely considered a pop culture icon in Asia with a distinctive ethereal voice and...
![Peyton List]()
Peyton List (1986)Peyton List is an American actress known for her prominent roles in Disney Channel's 'Jessie' and the popular film 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid:...
![Rena Mero]()
Rena Mero (1967)Professional wrestler known by her WWE stage name Sable, who became a major sex symbol and popular personality in professional wrestling...
![Esther Williams]()
Esther Williams (1921)Pioneering American actress and swimmer who revolutionized aquatic-themed Hollywood musicals during the mid-20th century.
![Lee Unkrich]()
Lee Unkrich (1967)Acclaimed Pixar film director and editor who won an Academy Award for directing 'Toy Story 3' and was involved in many beloved animated...
![Emi Shinohara]()
Emi Shinohara (1963)Prominent Japanese voice actress and singer known for her roles in numerous anime series and video games.
![Connie Stevens]()
Connie Stevens (1938)Prominent American actress and singer known for her roles in television shows like Hawaiian Eye and films during the 1960s and 1970s.
![Richard Anderson]()
Richard Anderson (1926)American actor best known for playing Oscar Goldman in the popular 1970s TV series 'The Six Million Dollar Man' and 'The Bionic Woman'.
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 August 8?
On August 8th the following celebrities died:
![Olivia Newton-John]()
Olivia Newton-John (2022)Iconic Australian-British singer, actress, and activist best known for her role in 'Grease' and her successful music career.
![Louise Brooks]()
Louise Brooks (1985)Pioneering American actress of the silent film era, Louise Brooks was a cultural icon who revolutionized cinema with her distinctive style...
![Patricia Neal]()
Patricia Neal (2010)Acclaimed American actress who won two Academy Awards, including Best Actress for 'Hud' in 1963 and Best Supporting Actress for 'The Subject...
![Glen Campbell]()
Glen Campbell (2017)Legendary country music singer and guitarist who was a prominent figure in the Nashville music scene during the 1960s and 1970s.
![Karen Black]()
Karen Black (2013)Acclaimed American actress known for her memorable roles in 1970s cinema, including 'Five Easy Pieces' and 'Nashville'.
![Cannonball Adderley]()
Cannonball Adderley (1975)Influential jazz saxophonist who pioneered soul-jazz and became a significant figure in the jazz scene of the 1950s and 1960s.
![Alan Napier]()
Alan Napier (1988)Famous American actor best known for playing Alfred the butler in the classic Batman TV series starring Adam West.
![Fay Wray]()
Fay Wray (2004)Fay Wray was a famous Hollywood actress of the 1930s, best known for her iconic role as Ann Darrow in the groundbreaking 1933 film 'King...
![Richard Deacon]()
Richard Deacon (1984)American character actor known for his comedic roles in television shows like 'The Dick Van Dyke Show' and 'The Mothers-in-Law'.
![Barbara Bel Geddes]()
Barbara Bel Geddes (2005)Acclaimed American actress known for her role as Miss Ellie in the TV series Dallas and her memorable performance in Alfred Hitchcock's...
What day of the year is August 8?
August 8th marks the 220th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 221st in case of leap years).
There are 145 days remaining until the end of the year.
August 8th is the 8th day of the month of August.
What day of the week is August 8?
On August 8th, 2025 the day of the week is Friday.
| August | 2025 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 August 8?
The zodiac sign associated with August 8th is Leo according to the Western Zodiac.
