This Day In History : May 8

1933 India

Mahatma Gandhi Begins Fast

Mahatma Gandhi begins a 21-day fast in protest against British oppression in India

Also on This Day in History May 8

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

Births on This Day, May 8
  • 1737 Edward Gibbon

    English historian

  • 1884 Harry Truman

    US President

  • 1926 David Attenborough

    English naturalist, TV producer and host

  • 1929 John C. Bogle

    American investor and business magnate (founder and chief executive of The Vanguard Group)

  • 1961 Akira Taue

    Japanese professional wrestler

Deaths on This Day, May 8
  • 1943 Mordecai Anielewicz (1919-1943)

    Jewish commander

  • 1976 Fred McLeod

    Scottish golfer (US Open 1908)

  • 1967 Elmer Rice

    American playwright (Pulitzer-Street Scene) and novelist

  • 1822 John Stark

    American military officer (Battle of Bennington)

  • 1837 Alexander Balashov

    Russian general and statesman

1877

The 1st Westminster Dog Show is held at Gilmore's Gardens in New York City

The first Westminster Dog Show took place on May 8, 1877, making it second only to the Kentucky Derby in terms of continuously held sporting events in the United States.
1994

The first all female pro baseball team, the Colorado Silver Bullets play their 1st game

The Colorado Silver Bullets were an all-female professional baseball team that played in the United States from 1994 to 1997.
1970

The Beatles release their 'Let It Be' album

Let It Be is the twelfth and final studio album by the English rock band the Beatles. It was released on 8 May 1970, almost a month after the group's public break-up, in tandem with the documentary of the same name. The Beatles put out their twelfth studio album Let It Be, which still stands today as being one of their most controversial records.
 
1912

Parmount Pictures Is Founded

Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film and television production and distribution company and the namesake subsidiary of Paramount Global. It is the sixth-oldest film studio in the world, the second-oldest film studio in the United States.
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