January 8: What Happened on This Day in History
January 8th marks the 8th day of the Gregorian calendar year. There are 357 days (358 in case of leap years) remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on January 8th in history, famous birthdays on January 8th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to January 8.
What happened on January 8?
Here's what happened on January 8th in history:
- 2020: Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 was shot down by an Iranian anti-aircraft missile immediately after takeoff from Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport, resulting in the tragic death of all 176 passengers and crew on board. This incident occurred during heightened tensions between Iran and the United States, and was later confirmed to be an accidental missile strike by Iranian military forces.
- 2011: During the 2010-2011 Tunisian protests, at least one person was killed and several others were injured in Tala, Tunisia. These protests were part of a broader social movement challenging economic hardship, high unemployment, and systemic poverty.
- 2010: Archaeologists discovered a large, significant statue of Pharaoh Taharqa deep in Sudan. Taharqa was a Nubian king who ruled Egypt during the 25th Dynasty, known for his substantial influence in the region and resistance against Assyrian expansion.
- 2004: RTE Prime Time investigates serious allegations of police misconduct within the Garda Siochana (Irish Police Force). The investigation reveals accusations of potential torture and perjury by police officers, with the Irish Minister of State, Dick Roche, highlighting a specific case of student abuse in a Dublin police station. The Garda strongly denies all allegations.
- 1999: Walt Disney Studios recalled 3.4 million copies of the animated film The Rescuers after a hidden, inappropriate topless photograph was discovered within two frames out of the movie's 110,000 total frames. The unexpected and unauthorized image was embedded in the background, prompting an immediate mass recall of the home video and laserdisc versions.
- 1998: Comedian Roseanne Barr filed for divorce from her third husband, Ben Thomas, marking another personal transition in her life.
- 1996: A major winter storm, known as the Blizzard of '96, struck the eastern United States, causing extensive snowfall and significant disruption. The severe weather conditions led to at least 50 fatalities, making it one of the most severe winter events of the decade.
- 1993: The United States Postal Service issued a commemorative postage stamp honoring Elvis Presley, the iconic rock and roll musician who revolutionized popular music in the 20th century.
- 1988: The Dow Jones Industrial Average experienced a significant market decline, dropping 140.58 points.
- 1973: The theatrical production 'Tricks' opens at the Alvin Theater in New York City for a limited run of 8 performances.
What famous birthdays are on January 8?
On January 8th there are the following famous birthdays:
![Stephen Hawking]()
Stephen Hawking (1942)Renowned British theoretical physicist who revolutionized our understanding of cosmology, black holes, and the origins of the universe.
![David Bowie]()
David Bowie (1947)Legendary British rock musician, singer-songwriter, and cultural icon who revolutionized popular music through innovative sound, theatrical...
![Elvis Presley]()
Elvis Presley (1935)Elvis Presley was an iconic American rock and roll singer, widely regarded as the 'King of Rock and Roll'.
![Cynthia Erivo]()
Cynthia Erivo (1987)Cynthia Erivo is a critically acclaimed British actress and singer who won a Tony Award for her powerful performance in 'The Color Purple'...
![Graham Chapman]()
Graham Chapman (1941)A pioneering British comedian and writer, best known as a key member of the legendary Monty Python comedy troupe.
![David Silva]()
David Silva (1986)Renowned Spanish footballer who played for Manchester City and the Spanish national team, considered one of the best midfielders of his...
![Ron Moody]()
Ron Moody (1924)British actor known for his memorable roles in comedy films, particularly as Fagin in the musical 'Oliver!'.
![José Ferrer]()
José Ferrer (1912)Renowned Puerto Rican-American actor and director, best known for his Oscar-winning performance in 'Cyrano de Bergerac'.
![Saeed Jaffrey]()
Saeed Jaffrey (1929)Renowned Indian-English actor who had a significant career in film, television, and theater, bridging Indian and Western cinema.
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 January 8?
On January 8th the following celebrities died:
![Edd Byrnes]()
Edd Byrnes (2020)Edd Byrnes was a popular American actor best known for his iconic role as Gerald Lloyd 'Kookie' Kookson III in the hit 1950s TV series '77...
![Yvonne De Carlo]()
Yvonne De Carlo (2007)Versatile Canadian-American entertainer with a six-decade career spanning film, television, musical theatre, and stage, known for her...
![John Gregson]()
![Lois Wilson]()
![Robert Baden-Powell]()
![Zbigniew Cybulski]()
- Galileo Galilei (1642)
Galileo was a pioneering astronomer who played a major role in the scientific revolution and is often referred to as the 'father of modern...
- Arcangelo Corelli (1713)
Arcangelo Corelli was an Italian composer and violinist who is considered one of the most influential figures in the development of the...
- Buck Henry (2020)
Renowned American comedy screenwriter, actor, and director known for co-creating 'Get Smart' and writing screenplays like 'The Graduate'.
What day of the year is January 8?
January 8th marks the 8th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar.
There are 357 days remaining until the end of the year (or 358 days in case of leap years).
January 8th is the 8th day of the month of January.
What zodiac sign is associated with the day January 8?
The zodiac sign associated with January 8th is Capricorn according to the Western Zodiac.
