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:
![Jim Morrison]()
![Nicki Minaj]()
![Maximilian Schell]()
Maximilian Schell (1930)Maximilian Schell was an Austrian-Swiss actor, director, and producer who won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the 1961 film...
![Ian Somerhalder]()
![Kim Basinger]()
![Teri Hatcher]()
Teri Hatcher (1964)American actress, most famous for her roles in "superman" tv series and "desperate housewives" tv series.
![David Carradine]()
David Carradine (1936)American actor, first child of actor john carradine and first of his father's four wives.
![Francis Huster]()
![AnnaSophia Robb]()
![Matthias Schoenaerts]()
Matthias Schoenaerts (1977)Belgian actor known for his roles in films like 'Rust and Bone' and 'The Danish Girl'.
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:
![Ryan O'Neal]()
Ryan O'Neal (2023)After starting his career as a stuntman in the movie industry, he became an actor on tv and screen.
![Marty Robbins]()
Marty Robbins (1982)American country-western singer/composer who had 43 top ten records and authored over 500 songs during a 30-year career.
![Gladys George]()
![Rene Auberjonois]()
![Robert Prosky]()
![Martha Tilton]()
![Caroll Spinney]()
![Howard Rollins]()
![Carlotta Monti]()
- John Lennon (1980)
Co-founder of the iconic rock band The Beatles, known for his influential songwriting and political activism.
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 zodiac sign is associated with the day December 8?
The zodiac sign associated with December 8th is Sagittarius according to the Western Zodiac.
