October 8: What Happened on This Day in History
October 8th marks the 281st day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 282nd in case of leap years). There are 84 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on October 8th in history, famous birthdays on October 8th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to October 8.
What happened on October 8?
Here's what happened on October 8th in history:
- 2022: A significant explosion severely damaged the 12-mile bridge connecting Crimea to Russia, resulting in at least three fatalities and critically disrupting Russian military logistics. The incident was attributed to Ukrainian forces by Crimean and Russian officials, marking a strategic blow in the ongoing conflict.
- 2019: Approximately 200 Extinction Rebellion activists staged a protest by blocking the gates of Leinster House (Ireland's parliament), drawing attention to climate change and environmental concerns.
- 2007: Track and field star Marion Jones surrendered her five Olympic medals from the 2000 Sydney Games after admitting to using performance-enhancing drugs, accepting a two-year ban from competitive sports.
- 2005: On October 8, 2005, a devastating magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck northern Pakistan, causing massive destruction and loss of life. The earthquake resulted in at least 86,000 fatalities, over 69,000 injuries, and left approximately 4 million people homeless. The disaster primarily impacted the Kashmir region and North-West Frontier Province, causing unprecedented humanitarian challenges.
- 2003: Nobel Prize in Chemistry awarded to Roderick McKinnon and Peter Agre for their groundbreaking research on aquaporins and ion channels in cell membranes, revealing critical insights into how water and ions move through cellular membranes.
- 2001: On October 8, 2001, a catastrophic mid-air collision occurred at Milan's Linate Airport involving an MD-87 Scandinavian Airlines aircraft. The plane first collided with a private aircraft and subsequently crashed into a building, resulting in a devastating accident that claimed 118 lives. The crash happened in heavy fog conditions, which significantly contributed to the visibility issues leading to the collision.
- 1980: Reggae legend Bob Marley collapses during a performance and is urgently transported to Sloan-Kettering Hospital in New York, signaling a serious health concern for the iconic musician.
- 1979: The comedy stage show 'Sugar Babies' opened at the Mark Hellinger Theater in New York City, launching a successful run that would continue for 1,208 performances. The show was a notable vaudeville-style production featuring comedic performances.
- 1974: On October 8, 1974, a powerful magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck the Leeward Islands, causing significant property damage across multiple Caribbean territories, including Antigua, Barbuda, and Saint Kitts. The seismic event highlighted the geological vulnerability of the Caribbean region.
- 1973: Syrian Brigadier General Omar Abrash was killed when his commanding tank was hit directly by Israeli tanks during the Yom Kippur War.
What famous birthdays are on October 8?
On October 8th there are the following famous birthdays:
![Sigourney Weaver]()
Sigourney Weaver (1949)Acclaimed American actress known for iconic roles in science fiction and drama films like 'Alien', 'Ghostbusters', and 'Gorillas in the...
![Bella Thorne]()
Bella Thorne (1997)Bella Thorne is an American actress, singer, and social media personality who rose to fame through Disney Channel's 'Shake It Up' and has...
![Darrell Hammond]()
Darrell Hammond (1955)Famous Saturday Night Live comedian known for his extensive impressions and long-running cast membership from 1995 to 2009.
![Matt Damon]()
Matt Damon (1970)Acclaimed American actor and screenwriter who won an Oscar for co-writing 'Good Will Hunting' with Ben Affleck, launching his successful...
![Chevy Chase]()
Chevy Chase (1943)Iconic American comedian and actor known for his work on Saturday Night Live and classic comedy films like National Lampoon's Vacation...
![Bruno Mars]()
![Raaj Kumar]()
Raaj Kumar (1927)Raaj Kumar was a legendary Bollywood actor known for his distinctive dialogue delivery and powerful performances in Hindi cinema during the...
![Nick Cannon]()
Nick Cannon (1980)Nick Cannon is a multi-talented entertainer known for his successful career in comedy, acting, hosting, and music.
![Paul Hogan]()
Paul Hogan (1939)Australian actor and screenwriter famous for the 'Crocodile Dundee' film series, which became an international hit and helped popularize...
![Albert Roux]()
Albert Roux (1935)Renowned French-English chef who revolutionized haute cuisine in the United Kingdom and was a pivotal figure in modern culinary arts.
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 October 8?
On October 8th the following celebrities died:
![Fernando Lamas]()
Fernando Lamas (1982)Prominent Argentinian-American actor, known for his charismatic roles in Hollywood films and his influence in entertainment during the...
![Phyllis Calvert]()
Phyllis Calvert (2002)Prominent British film actress of the mid-20th century, known for her roles in classic British cinema during the 1940s and 1950s.
![Nigel Bruce]()
![Eduardo Ciannelli]()
Eduardo Ciannelli (1969)Italian actor, who started his career in opera baritone on the continent and italy.
- Whitey Ford (2020)
Legendary New York Yankees pitcher known as 'The Chairman of the Board', who is considered one of the greatest left-handed pitchers in...
- Willy Brandt (1992)
German lawyer and politician, 4th chancellor of germany, nobel prize laureate (b. 1913).
- Jayaprakash Narayan (1979)
Prominent Indian independence activist and socialist leader who played a crucial role in India's freedom movement and post-independence...
- Wendell Willkie (1944)
Wendell Willkie was an American lawyer and politician who was the Republican Party's nominee in the 1940 presidential election.
- Eric Lomax (2012)
Scottish author known for his powerful memoir 'The Railway Man', which recounts his traumatic experiences as a prisoner of war during World...
What day of the year is October 8?
October 8th marks the 281st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 282nd in case of leap years).
There are 84 days remaining until the end of the year.
October 8th is the 8th day of the month of October.
What day of the week is October 8?
On October 8th, 2025 the day of the week is Wednesday.
| October | 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 October 8?
The zodiac sign associated with October 8th is Libra according to the Western Zodiac.
