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: On December 8, 2021, a tragic helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu, India, resulted in the death of Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and 12 other military personnel. The Mil Mi-17 helicopter crashed under circumstances that sparked significant national mourning and investigation into the incident.
- 2008: Legendary pitcher Greg Maddux concludes his illustrious 23-season career, having won 355 games across multiple teams including the Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, and Los Angeles Dodgers. Notably, he achieved an unprecedented feat by winning four consecutive Cy Young Awards from 1992, establishing himself as one of the most dominant pitchers in National League history.
- 2002: In Serbia, a general election fails to fill the presidency due to insufficient voter turnout, highlighting democratic challenges in the post-Yugoslav political landscape.
- 2000: The crew of Space Shuttle Endeavour made their first visit to the Expedition 1 crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS), marking a significant milestone in international space collaboration and ongoing space exploration efforts.
- 1994: Baseball player Darryl Strawberry was indicted on federal tax evasion charges, marking a significant legal challenge in his professional career following his notable achievements in Major League Baseball.
- 1990: The Cleveland Indians baseball team finalized a lease agreement for a new ballpark in the Gateway district, which would later become known as Jacobs Field (now Progressive Field). This marked a significant moment in the team's history, promising a modern stadium to replace the aging Cleveland Municipal Stadium.
- 1985: Martina Navratilova triumphs over Chris Evert in the 60th Australian Women's Tennis Championship, winning a challenging match with a score of 6-2, 4-6, 6-2.
- 1981: Renowned blues harmonica player Walter 'Shakey' Horton died at age 64, leaving behind a significant legacy in blues music.
- 1977: Elsa Benítez emerged as a prominent Mexican supermodel, representing the growing international recognition of Latin American fashion talent in the late 1970s.
- 1975: New York City was approved for a critical financial bailout of $2.3 billion annually through 1978, totaling $6.9 billion. This massive intervention was designed to prevent the city's potential bankruptcy and stabilize its economic infrastructure during a severe fiscal crisis.
What famous birthdays are on December 8?
On December 8th there are the following famous birthdays:
![Nicki Minaj]()
Nicki Minaj (1982)Globally renowned rapper, singer, songwriter, and actress known for her distinctive style, powerful performances, and chart-topping hits...
![Jim Morrison]()
Jim Morrison (1943)Legendary rock musician and lead singer of The Doors, known for his poetic lyrics, charismatic performances, and significant impact on 1960s...
![Maximilian Schell]()
Maximilian Schell (1930)Maximilian Schell was an acclaimed Austrian-Swiss actor, director, and producer who won an Academy Award for Best Actor in 1961 for his...
![Ian Somerhalder]()
Ian Somerhalder (1978)American actor, model, and director best known for his iconic roles in 'Lost' and 'The Vampire Diaries', particularly as Damon Salvatore.
![Kim Basinger]()
Kim Basinger (1953)Kim Basinger is an Oscar-winning American actress known for her roles in '9½ Weeks' and 'Batman'.
![David Carradine]()
David Carradine (1936)Iconic American actor known for his roles in martial arts films and television, particularly the series 'Kung Fu'.
![Sharmila Tagore]()
Sharmila Tagore (1946)Renowned Indian actress who was a leading figure in Bollywood during the 1960s and 1970s, known for her elegance and significant...
![Julia Robinson]()
Julia Robinson (1919)Renowned American mathematician known for her significant contributions to mathematical logic and decision problems, particularly her work...
![Teri Hatcher]()
Teri Hatcher (1964)American actress best known for her iconic roles in the TV series 'Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman' and 'Desperate Housewives',...
![Francis Huster]()
Francis Huster (1947)Renowned French film actor, director, and comedian who was a member of the prestigious Comédie-Française.
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:
![Caroll Spinney]()
Caroll Spinney (2019)Legendary puppeteer best known for portraying Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch on Sesame Street for nearly 50 years, significantly impacting...
![Marty Robbins]()
Marty Robbins (1982)Legendary country-western singer and songwriter who had a remarkable 30-year career with 43 top ten records and over 500 songs.
![Ryan O'Neal]()
Ryan O'Neal (2023)Renowned Hollywood actor famous for his roles in 'Love Story' and 'Paper Moon', O'Neal was a prominent film star in the 1970s who received...
![Robert Prosky]()
Robert Prosky (2008)Renowned American character actor known for his extensive stage, film, and television work, particularly memorable in roles in 'Hill Street...
![Rene Auberjonois]()
Rene Auberjonois (2019)Versatile American actor renowned for his distinctive voice and character roles in film, television, and theater, including Star Trek: Deep...
![Howard Rollins]()
Howard Rollins (1996)American actor known for his roles in 'Amos & Andrew' and the TV series 'In the Heat of the Night', who received an Oscar nomination for 'A...
![Gladys George]()
Gladys George (1954)Prominent American stage and film actress of the 1930s and 1940s, known for her powerful performances in dramatic roles and her work in...
![Carlotta Monti]()
- John Lennon (1980)
Co-founder of the iconic rock band The Beatles, John Lennon was a legendary musician, songwriter, and peace activist who profoundly...
- 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, 2025 the day of the week is Monday.
| December | 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 December 8?
The zodiac sign associated with December 8th is Sagittarius according to the Western Zodiac.
