Prince William
Famous Astronauts
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My Ghost Story
I Survived
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Leonardo DiCaprio
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I Survived
On This Day
Discover events that happened On This Day including famous birthdays and notable deaths. Each day we highlight famous people, past and present, who have impacted our world. Browse sections by selecting the links below or click the calendar to view events on another day.
August 8
Events on This Day
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1876
137 years ago
Thomas Edison patents the mimeograph, a precursor to the photocopier. This low-cost printing press revolutionizes the independent publishing industry.
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1969
44 years ago
Photographer Iain MacMillan captures the Beatles crossing the street outside of their Abbey Road studio. The photo becomes one of music's most iconic album covers.
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1974
39 years ago
In light of his participation in the Watergate Scandal, Richard M. Nixon announces his resignation as President of the United States.
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2009
4 years ago
Sonia Sotomayor is sworn in as the U.S. Supreme Court's first Hispanic justice.
August 8
Born on This Day
-
Dustin HoffmanDustin Hoffman
Film / 1937 -
Academy Award–winning actor Dustin Hoffman starred in films like The Graduate (1967), Tootsie (1982), and Meet the Fockers (2004).
Born: August 8, 1937
Age: 75 years old
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States
Occupation: Film -
Jorge Posada
- In these groups:
- Hispanic Athletes
- Famous Leos
- Famous Baseball Players
Jorge Posada
Baseball Player, Philanthropist / 1971 -
Yankees’ baseball player Jose Posada has excelled as a catcher and occasionally plays first base. He contributed to several Yankees' World Series wins.
1971 | 41 years old
Baseball Player, Philanthropist -
Robin Quivers
- In these groups:
- Famous Leos
- Famous Talk Show Hosts
- Famous Television Personalities
Robin Quivers
Radio Talk Show Host, Talk Show Host / 1952 -
Robin Quivers is a radio broadcaster best known for co-hosting The Howard Stern Show for more than three decades.
1952 | 60 years old
Radio Talk Show Host, Talk Show Host -
Roger Federer
- In these groups:
- Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal
- Olympic 2012 Athletes
- Famous Leos
Roger Federer
Tennis Player, Philanthropist / 1981 -
Tennis pro Roger Federer was the first Swiss man to win a Grand Slam title. In 2012, he became a seven-time Wimbledon champion, tying with Pete Sampras for the world No. 1 ranking record of 286 weeks.
Born: August 8, 1981
Age: 31 years old
Birthplace: Basel, Switzerland
Occupation: Tennis Player, Philanthropist -
Ronnie Biggs
- In these groups:
- Swinging London - Cultural Icons: 1960s
- Famous Leos
- Famous People Born in 1929
Ronnie Biggs
Thief / 1929 -
Involved in the Great Train Robbery of 1963, Ronnie Biggs became the world's most famous fugitive. He avoided capture for more than 30 years.
1929 | 83 years old
Thief -
Michael Urie
- In these groups:
- Famous Leos
- Famous Actors
- Famous People Named Michael
Michael Urie
Actor / 1980 -
Michael Urie is an award-winning theater and television actor best known for his role as the catty Marc St. James on Ugly Betty.
1980 | 32 years old
Actor
August 8
Died on This Day
-
Cannonball Adderley
- In these groups:
- Famous Virgoans
- Famous Saxophone Players
- Famous People Born in 1928
Cannonball Adderley
Saxophonist / 1928 - 1975
Jazz musician Cannonball Adderley played the alto saxophone with his own band and with Miles Davis in the ‘50s and ‘60s.Died: August 8, 1975
Age: 46 years old
Place: Gary, Indiana , United States
Occupation: Saxophonist -
Patricia Neal
- In these groups:
- Best Actress Oscar Winners
- Famous Aquarians
- Famous Actresses
Patricia Neal
Film Actress, Theater Actress / 1926 - 2010
Patricia Neil was an American film and stage actress who is best known for her performances in The Day The Earth Stood Still and Breakfast at Tiffany's.
2010 | 84 years old
Film Actress, Theater Actress -
Leon Golub
- In these groups:
- Famous Aquarians
- Famous Antiwar Activists
- Famous Painters
Leon Golub
Anti-War Activist, Painter / 1922 - 2004
Leon Golub was an American painter who was both horrified and inspired by the Vietnam War.
2004 | 82 years old
Anti-War Activist, Painter
Email Updates
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Answer questions and see how you rank against other players.
Play Nowprofile name: Dustin Hoffman profile occupation: Film
profile id: 189340
profile name: Jorge Posada profile occupation: Baseball Player, Philanthropist
profile id: 21140923
profile name: Robin Quivers profile occupation: Radio Talk Show Host, Talk Show Host
profile id: 13612203
profile name: Roger Federer profile occupation: Tennis Player, Philanthropist
profile id: 20730907
profile name: Ronnie Biggs profile occupation: Thief
profile id: 589230
profile name: Michael Urie profile occupation: Actor
profile id: 9176317
profile name: Cannonball Adderley profile occupation: Saxophonist
profile id: 39134
profile name: Patricia Neal profile occupation: Film Actress, Theater Actress
profile id: 507566
profile name: Leon Golub profile occupation: Anti-War Activist, Painter
profile id: 9284349
profile name: Thomas Edison profile occupation: Entrepreneur
profile id: 306872
profile name: Ringo Starr profile occupation: Actor
profile id: 9424076
profile name: Richard Nixon profile occupation: U.S. President
profile id: 453906
profile name: Sonia Sotomayor profile occupation: Supreme Court Justice
profile id: 9486970
profile name: Joseph Smith profile occupation: Religious Leader
profile id: 9262645
profile name: Tom Cruise profile occupation: Film Actor
profile id: 11158797
profile name: John Edwards profile occupation: U.S. Representative
profile id: 596834
profile name: Drake profile occupation: Rapper
profile id: 5444
profile name: Kurtis Blow profile occupation: Minister
profile id: 23182
profile name: Betsey Johnson profile occupation: Fashion Designer
profile id: 39420
profile name: Alex Haley profile occupation: Author
profile id: 37485
profile name: Alexei Nikolaevich profile occupation: Duke
Your Connections
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Upcoming Birthdays
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Kurtis Blow
- In these groups:
- Soul Train Guests
- Famous Leos
- Famous Rappers
Kurtis Blow
Music Producer, Rapper, Minister / 1959 -
In 1979, Kurtis Blow signed a deal with Mercury Records, making him the first rapper signed by a major label. His first album sold more than 400,000 copies.
August 9, 1959
Minister -
Betsey Johnson
- In these groups:
- Hair Dos and Don'ts
- Breast Cancer Survivors
- Famous Leos
Betsey Johnson
Fashion Designer / 1942 -
Fashion designer Betsey Johnson developed her edgy, offbeat style during the new wave/punk era of the late 1970s.
August 10, 1942
Fashion Designer -
Alex Haley
- In these groups:
- Famous Black Writers
- Famous Military Veterans
- Famous Leos
Alex Haley
Journalist, Author / 1921 - 1992
Alex Haley was an American writer whose works of historical fiction and reportage depicted the struggles of African Americans.
August 11, 1921
Author -
Alexei Nikolaevich
- In these groups:
- Famous Leos
- Famous Dukes
- Famous Princes
Alexei Nikolaevich
Duke, Prince, Tsar / 1904 - 1918
Alexei Nikolaevich was the only son of Nicholas II, the last tsar of Russia, and the tsarina Alexandra. He was killed with his family during the Russian Revolution.
August 12, 1904
Duke
Famous Leos
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Paul Anka
- In these groups:
- Famous Celebrity Couples
- The Ed Sullivan Show Guests
- Famous Leos
Paul Anka
Film Actor, Television Actor, Songwriter, Guitarist, Pianist, Singer / 1941 -
One of the biggest classic pop performers, Canadian singer-songwriter Paul Anka moved from teen heartthrob to adult artist with a slew of hits.
July 30, 1941
Film Actor, Television Actor, Songwriter, Guitarist, Pianist, Singer -
William Atherton
- In these groups:
- Famous Leos
- Famous Actors
- Famous Film Actors
William Atherton
Film Actor, Theater Actor, Television Actor / 1947 -
William Atherton is an American actor known for playing heavies in films like Ghostbusters and Die Hard.
July 30, 1947
Film Actor, Theater Actor, Television Actor
