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On This Day

May 08

YEAR 2025

The 2025 papal conclave elects Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, taking the name Leo XIV as the 267th Pope of the Catholic Church.

The 2025 papal conclave elects Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, taking the name Leo XIV as the 267th Pope of the Catholic Church.

YEAR 2021

A car bomb explodes in front of a school in Kabul, capital city of Afghanistan killing at least 55 people and wounding over 150.

A car bomb explodes in front of a school in Kabul, capital city of Afghanistan killing at least 55 people and wounding over 150.

YEAR 2019

British 17-year-old Isabelle Holdaway is reported to be the first patient ever to receive a genetically modified phage therapy to treat a drug-resista...

British 17-year-old Isabelle Holdaway is reported to be the first patient ever to receive a genetically modified phage therapy to treat a drug-resistant infection.

YEAR 1997

China Southern Airlines Flight 3456 crashes on approach into Bao'an International Airport, killing 35 people.

China Southern Airlines Flight 3456 crashes on approach into Bao'an International Airport, killing 35 people.

YEAR 1988

A fire at Illinois Bell's Hinsdale Central Office triggers an extended 1AESS network outage once considered to be the "worst telecommunications disast...

A fire at Illinois Bell's Hinsdale Central Office triggers an extended 1AESS network outage once considered to be the "worst telecommunications disaster in US telephone industry history".

YEAR 1987

The SAS kills eight Provisional Irish Republican Army volunteers and a civilian during an ambush in Loughgall, Northern Ireland.

The SAS kills eight Provisional Irish Republican Army volunteers and a civilian during an ambush in Loughgall, Northern Ireland.

YEAR 1984

Corporal Denis Lortie enters the Quebec National Assembly and opens fire, killing three people and wounding 13. René Jalbert, Sergeant-at-Arms of the...

Corporal Denis Lortie enters the Quebec National Assembly and opens fire, killing three people and wounding 13. René Jalbert, Sergeant-at-Arms of the Assembly, succeeds in calming him, for which he will later receive the Cross of Valour.

YEAR 1984

The Soviet Union announces a boycott upon the Summer Olympics at Los Angeles, later joined by 14 other countries.

The Soviet Union announces a boycott upon the Summer Olympics at Los Angeles, later joined by 14 other countries.

YEAR 1984

The Thames Barrier is officially opened, preventing the floodplain of most of Greater London from being flooded except under extreme circumstances.

The Thames Barrier is officially opened, preventing the floodplain of most of Greater London from being flooded except under extreme circumstances.

YEAR 1980

The World Health Organization confirms the eradication of smallpox.

The World Health Organization confirms the eradication of smallpox.

YEAR 1978

The first ascent of Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen, by Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler.

The first ascent of Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen, by Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler.

YEAR 1976

The rollercoaster The New Revolution, the first steel coaster with a vertical loop, opens at Six Flags Magic Mountain.

The rollercoaster The New Revolution, the first steel coaster with a vertical loop, opens at Six Flags Magic Mountain.

YEAR 1973

A 71-day standoff between federal authorities and the American Indian Movement members occupying the Pine Ridge Reservation at Wounded Knee, South Dak...

A 71-day standoff between federal authorities and the American Indian Movement members occupying the Pine Ridge Reservation at Wounded Knee, South Dakota ends with the surrender of the militants.

YEAR 1972

Vietnam War: U.S. President Richard Nixon announces his order to place naval mines in major North Vietnamese ports in order to stem the flow of weapon...

Vietnam War: U.S. President Richard Nixon announces his order to place naval mines in major North Vietnamese ports in order to stem the flow of weapons and other goods to that nation.

YEAR 1970

The Beatles release their 12th and final studio album Let It Be.

The Beatles release their 12th and final studio album Let It Be.

YEAR 1967

The Philippine province of Davao is split into three: Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, and Davao Oriental.

The Philippine province of Davao is split into three: Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, and Davao Oriental.

YEAR 1963

South Vietnamese soldiers under the Roman Catholic President Ngo Dinh Diem open fire on Buddhists defying a ban on the flying of the Buddhist flag on...

South Vietnamese soldiers under the Roman Catholic President Ngo Dinh Diem open fire on Buddhists defying a ban on the flying of the Buddhist flag on Vesak, killing nine and sparking the Buddhist crisis.

YEAR 1957

South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem began a state visit to the United States, his regime's main sponsor.

South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem began a state visit to the United States, his regime's main sponsor.

YEAR 1950

The Tollund Man was discovered in a peat bog near Silkeborg, Denmark.

The Tollund Man was discovered in a peat bog near Silkeborg, Denmark.

YEAR 1946

Estonian schoolgirls Aili Jõgi and Ageeda Paavel blow up the Soviet memorial which preceded the Bronze Soldier of Tallinn.

Estonian schoolgirls Aili Jõgi and Ageeda Paavel blow up the Soviet memorial which preceded the Bronze Soldier of Tallinn.