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My Ghost Story
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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.
October 8
Events on This Day
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1918
95 years ago
Sergeant Alvin C. York, separated from unit while on patrol in France, kills 25 enemy soldiers and captures 132 others, earning the U.S. Medal of Honor.
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1944
69 years ago
The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, starring real-life husband and wife Ozzie and Harriet Nelson, debuts on CBS radio. A TV version will premiere in 1952.
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1967
46 years ago
Che Guevara and his guerrilla soldiers are captured by the Bolivian army.
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1970
43 years ago
Russian writer Alexander Solzhenitsyn is awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature.
October 8
Born on This Day
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Matt Damon
- In these groups:
- Ocean's Eleven Members
- Best Screenplay Oscar Winners
- Celebrity Golfers
Matt Damon
Film Actor / 1970 -
Matt Damon is an American actor and Academy Award-winning screenwriter for his work on Good Will Hunting. He plays Jason Bourne in the hit film series.
Born: October 8, 1970
Age: 42 years old
Birthplace: Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
Occupation: Film Actor -
Paul Hogan
- In these groups:
- Famous Libras
- Famous Actors
- Famous Film Actors
Paul Hogan
Film Actor, Television Actor, Television Personality / 1939 -
Australian-born actor Paul Hogan is best known for his role as Michael "Crocodile" Dundee from the Crocodile Dundee film series.
1939 | 73 years old
Film Actor, Television Actor, ... -
Bruno Mars
- In these groups:
- Celebrity Bookings
- Hair Dos and Don'ts
- Name Changers
Bruno Mars
Songwriter, Singer / 1985 -
After several years as one of pop music's premier songwriters, Bruno Mars broke out as a singer in his own right with the 2010 hit "Nothin' on You."
1985 | 27 years old
Songwriter, Singer -
Sigourney Weaver
- In these groups:
- Scream Queens
- Famous Action Movie Stars
- Celebrities With Advanced Degrees
Sigourney Weaver
Film Actress / 1949 -
Actress Sigourney Weaver is best known for her roles in films since the 1980s, including Ghost Busters, Working Girl and Alien.
Born: October 8, 1949
Age: 63 years old
Birthplace: New York, New York, United States
Occupation: Film Actress -
Jesse Jackson
- In these groups:
- Elite and Indiscreet
- Dads in Denial
- Famous Libras
Jesse Jackson
Civil Rights Activist, Minister, Journalist / 1941 -
Jesse Jackson is an American civil rights leader, Baptist minister and politician who twice ran for U.S. president.
1941 | 71 years old
Civil Rights Activist, Minister, ... -
Chevy Chase
- In these groups:
- Cast of Saturday Night Live
- Famous Harlem Residents
- Screen Presidents
Chevy Chase
Film Actor, Television Actor, Screenwriter / 1943 -
Chevy Chase is a comedic actor who is best know for his appearances on Saturday Night Live and his starring roles in the films Caddyshack and Fletch.
1943 | 69 years old
Film Actor, Television Actor, ...
October 8
Died on This Day
-
John Hancock
- In these groups:
- Founding Fathers
- Famous Aquarians
- Famous People Named John
John Hancock
U.S. Representative, U.S. Governor / 1737 - 1793
John Hancock was an 18th century U.S. merchant who was president of the Continental Congress and the first person to sign the Declaration of Independence.
Died: October 8, 1793
Age: 56 years old
Place: Quincy, Massachusetts , United States
Occupation: U.S. Representative, U.S. Governor -
Henry Fielding
- In these groups:
- Famous Taureans
- Famous People Named Henry
- Famous Playwrights
Henry Fielding
Author, Playwright / 1707 - 1754
Henry Fielding was an English writer and justice of the peace who crafted novels like Tom Jones and Amelia.
1754 | 47 years old
Author, Playwright -
Franklin Pierce
- In these groups:
- U.S. Presidents
- Famous Sagittarians
- Famous Military Leaders
Franklin Pierce
Military Leader, U.S. President, U.S. Representative / 1804 - 1869
Franklin Pierce, the 14th president of the United States, signed the Kansas-Nebraska Act, prompting a bloody conflict over Kansas' slavery status.
1869 | 64 years old
Military Leader, U.S. President, ...
Email Updates
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Answer questions and see how you rank against other players.
Play Nowprofile name: Matt Damon profile occupation: Film Actor
profile id: 9341507
profile name: Paul Hogan profile occupation: Film Actor, Television Actor, ...
profile id: 17162400
profile name: Bruno Mars profile occupation: Songwriter, Singer
profile id: 17179376
profile name: Sigourney Weaver profile occupation: Film Actress
profile id: 9351181
profile name: Jesse Jackson profile occupation: Civil Rights Activist, Minister, ...
profile id: 9542517
profile name: Chevy Chase profile occupation: Film Actor, Television Actor, ...
profile id: 9327271
profile name: John Hancock profile occupation: U.S. Representative, U.S. Governor
profile id: 9294606
profile name: Henry Fielding profile occupation: Author, Playwright
profile id: 9440391
profile name: Franklin Pierce profile occupation: Military Leader, U.S. President, ...
profile id: 41029
profile name: Alvin C. York profile occupation: Warrior
profile id: 222415
profile name: Harriet Nelson profile occupation: Television Actress
profile id: 9322774
profile name: Che Guevara profile occupation: Military Leader
profile id: 9488509
profile name: Alexander Solzhenitsyn profile occupation: Author
profile id: 9468009
profile name: Babe Ruth profile occupation: Baseball Player
profile id: 9381145
profile name: Jerry Lee Lewis profile occupation: Singer
profile id: 9399189
profile name: Dan Marino profile occupation: Football Player
profile id: 9357466
profile name: Marion Jones profile occupation: Track and Field Athlete
profile id: 37516
profile name: Jackson Browne profile occupation: Musician
profile id: 38094
profile name: Frederick Douglass Patterson profile occupation: Educator
profile id: 37580
profile name: Orlando Hernández profile occupation: Baseball Player
profile id: 38219
profile name: Alice Childress profile occupation: Playwright
Your Connections
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Upcoming Birthdays
-
Jackson Browne
- In these groups:
- Famous Libras
- Famous Environmental Activists
- Famous Antiwar Activists
Jackson Browne
Environmental Activist, Anti-War Activist, Songwriter, Guitarist, Pianist / 1948 -
Jackson Browne is a folk singer-songwriter who released numerous hit records in the 1970s and '80s, including Late for the Sky. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.
October 9, 1948
Musician -
Frederick Douglass Patterson
- In these groups:
- Famous Academics
- Famous Teachers
- Famous Libras
Frederick Douglass Patterson
Educator / 1901 - 1988
Educator Frederick Douglass Patterson served as president of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute. He also founded the United College Negro Fund.October 10, 1901
Educator -
Orlando Hernández
- In these groups:
- Hispanic Athletes
- Famous Libras
- Famous Baseball Players
Orlando Hernández
Baseball Player / 1965 -
Orlando Hernández fled Cuba for America after being banned from baseball in 1997. He signed with the New York Yankees and helped them win three World Series.October 11, 1965
Baseball Player -
Alice Childress
- In these groups:
- Famous Libras
- Famous Harlem Renaissance People
- Famous People Named Alice
Alice Childress
Author, Playwright / 1916 - 1994
Alice Childress is an African-American playwright associated with the Harlem Renaissance. She is also the author of several young adult novels.
October 12, 1916
Playwright
Famous Libras
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Joseph Lowery
- In these groups:
- Famous Libras
- Famous Black Activists
- Famous Civil Rights Activists
Joseph Lowery
Civil Rights Activist, Minister / 1921 -
Civil rights leader, social activist and minister Joseph Lowery has fought against prejudice and discrimination against African-Americans for more than 50 years.
October 6, 1921
Civil Rights Activist, Minister -
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George Weah
- In these groups:
- Famous Libras
- Famous Antiwar Activists
- Famous Soccer Players
George Weah
Anti-War Activist, Soccer Player / 1966 -
Liberian soccer star George Weah was named African, European and World Player of the Year in 1995 and has since become a prominent humanitarian and politician.
October 1, 1966
Anti-War Activist, Soccer Player
