Special Days in History - May 8th Anniversaries
Find Out What Happened Today - 8th May - Over the Centuries
May 7, 2009
Birthday, anniversary, special occasion? Discover what momentous occasions also took place on this day in history, May 8th.
Wedding, birthday or anniversary today? Here are some more momentous happenings on May 8th throughout history.
Famous May 8th Births
Those born on May 8th share this anniversary with the following famous personalities:
- Joanna 1st of Auvergne, queen of France, was born in 1326. After her first husband, Philip of Burgundy died, she married John II of France and became queen consort.
- Mikhail Komenski, Russian general was born in 1738. The British actress Dame Helen Mirrin is his great great great great granddaughter.
- William Henry Vanderbilt of the famous family of financiers was born in 1821. In 1877 inherited $100 million from his father. When he died 9 years later he had grown this fortune to $197 million.
- John Henry Dunant, founder of the Red Cross and Nobel Laureate was born in 1828.
- Oscar Hammerstein, theatre impresario was born in 1847 in Stettin, Prussia to Grerman-Jewish parents. The family moved to New York in 1864. Theaters he built included The Olympia, The Victoria and the Republic. One of his best known broadway hit musicals was Naughty Marietta.
- President Harry S. Truman was born in 1884. He was vice president for only 82 days before the untimely demise of President Roosevelt made him the 33rd president. His term of office was between 1945 to 1953 .
- Ricky Nelson, American singer was born in 1940. He acted in Rio Bravo alongside John Wayne and Dean Martin.
Historical Events that Took Place on 8th May
- In 1541 Hernando de Soto, Spanish explorer and conquistador reached the Mississippi River and named it Rio de Espiritu Santo - River of the Holy Spirit.
- French chemist Antoine Levoisier was branded a traitor, condemned to death and guillotined all one one day during the time during the French Revolution that was known as The Terror in 1794.
- In 1886 that cola beverage known to us as Coca Cola was invented by John Stith Pemberton as an alternative to alcoholic drinks. He was a chemist, druggist and battled against morphine addiction.
- In 1902 on Martinique, Mount Pelée erupted, destroying the town of Saint-Pierre and killing over 30,000 people.
- 1914 saw the founding of Paramount Pictures. Famous artists in the Paramount stable in the early years included Mae West, Marlene Deitrich, Gary Cooper, The Marx Brothers, Dorothy Lamour and Bing Crosby. Their succesful cartoon characters included Betty Boop and Popeye.
- 1945 was the end of the Second World War in Europe , celebrated at V-E day (Victory in Europe). The allies accepted the unconditional surrender of the Nazis and the government of Adolph Hitler.
- The World Health Orgnisation confirmed the eradication of smallpox worldwide in 1980.
Famous May 8th Deaths
- Helena Blavatski, co founder of the Theosophical Society who investigated alternative spirituality and the paranormal.
- Paul Gaugin, French impressionist painter died in 1903
- Lila Bell Wallace, publisher of Reader's Digest died in 1984
National Days, Festivals and Saints Days Remembered on May 8th
- World Red Cross / Red Crescent Day
- Europe's V-E Day Celebrated
- South Korea Parent's Day
Saints that are remembered on May 8th include St Arsenius venerated by the Eastern Church as one of the Desert Fathers and an ascetic and Julian of Norwich, English mystic who was also an hermit.
Sources:
New York Times
This Day in History
The copyright of the article Special Days in History - May 8th Anniversaries in Historical Resources is owned by Christine Fadhley. Permission to republish Special Days in History - May 8th Anniversaries in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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