This Day In History : March 8

1976 China

1976 Largest Single Stony Meteorite Recovered in Jilin, China

On March 8, 1976, during a meteor shower, the largest single stony meteorite weighing 1,774 kg fell in Jilin, China. This meteor shower deposited over 4,000 kg of extraterrestrial rock, making it a significant event in meteorite history.

Also on This Day in History March 8

Discover what happened on March 8 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries,
famous births and notable deaths.

Births on This Day, March 8
  • 1902 Tom Blake

    American inventor of the hollow-core surfboard.

  • 1879 Otto Hahn

    German physical chemist who, with the radiochemist Fritz Strassmann, is credited with the discovery of nuclear fission.

  • 1839 James Mason Crafts

    American chemist who with French chemist Charles Friedel, discovered an important organic carbon-chain addition to carbon-ring chemical synthesis techique, the Friedel-Crafts reaction (1877).

  • 1787 Karl Ferdinand von Gräfe

    German surgeon who helped to create modern plastic surgery.

  • 1886 Edward Calvin Kendall

    American biochemist who shared (with Philip S. Hench and Tadeus Reichstein) the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 1950 for research on the structure and biological effects of adrenal cortex hormones.

Deaths on This Day, March 8
  • 1853 Edward John Dent

    English clockmaker and inventor whose chronometers were noted for high accuracy.

  • 1803 Francis Egerton Bridgewater

    (Earl) Founder of British inland navigation, whose canal, built from his estates at Worsley to the city of Manchester, is called the Bridgewater canal.

  • 1946 Frederick William Lanchester

    English automobile and aeronautics pioneer who built the first British petrol automobile (1896) and founded the Lanchester Engine Co in 1899.

  • 1887 James Buchanan Eads

    American engineer who built the two-tier triple-arch steel bridge over the Mississippi River at St. Louis, Missouri.

  • 1717 Abraham Darby

    British ironmaster who first successfully smelted iron ore with coke. He had first used coke in smelting copper.

1910

Raymonde de Laroche Becomes First Woman to Obtain a Pilot's License

On March 8, 1910, Raymonde de Laroche became the first woman to receive a pilot’s license. This achievement marked a pioneering moment for women in aviation and set a precedent for future generations.
1817

The New York Stock Exchange Founded

On March 8, 1817, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is founded, establishing a formal stock trading platform in the United States. This event lays the foundation for the NYSE to become one of the world's largest and most influential stock exchanges. The NYSE's creation marks a significant development in the evolution of global financial markets.
1979

The Compact Disc Presented to the Public

On March 8, 1979, the compact disc was introduced to the public, revolutionizing the music industry with its digital audio technology. This new format offered superior sound quality and durability compared to vinyl records and cassette tapes, marking a significant advancement in audio recording and playback.
1911

International Women's Day is First Observed

On March 8, 1911, the first International Women's Day was observed, advocating for women's rights and gender equality. This significant day marked the beginning of a global movement that continues to promote women's achievements and address gender-based issues worldwide.
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