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8 May 2021
Holidays, observances, history and sky information for this date.
Holidays
No listed India public holiday for this date.
Observances
No UN observance in the current list for this date.
Selected anniversaries
Anniversary
2025 - Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected as Pope Leo XIV (pictured), making him the first pope born in the United States, the first to hold either U.S. or Peruvian citizenship, the first from the Order of Saint Augustine, and the second from the Americas after his immediate predecessor, Pope Francis.Election of current Catholic pope
Anniversary
1987 - A British Special Air Service unit ambushed a Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) unit in Loughgall, Northern Ireland, killing eight IRA members and one civilian.Special forces unit of the British Army
Anniversary
1984 - The Soviet Union announced the boycott of the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, citing security concerns.Anniversary
1976 - Great American Revolution opened at Six Flags Magic Mountain, California.Steel roller coaster in California, US
Anniversary
1972 - Four members of Black September hijacked Sabena Flight 571 to demand the release of 315 Palestinians convicted on terrorism charges.Palestinian militant organization (1970 – c. 1988)
Historical events
History
2025 - The 2025 papal conclave elects Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, taking the name Leo XIV as the 267th Pope of the Catholic Church.Election of current Catholic pope
History
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.Bombing in Kabul, Afghanistan
History
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-resistant infection.Therapeutic use of bacteriophages to treat bacterial infections
History
1997 - China Southern Airlines Flight 3456 crashes on approach into Bao'an International Airport, killing 35 people.1997 aviation accident in China
History
1988 - 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".Telecommunications utility company in Illinois, USA
History
1987 - The SAS kills eight Provisional Irish Republican Army volunteers and a civilian during an ambush in Loughgall, Northern Ireland.Special forces unit of the British Army
History
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 Assembly, succeeds in calming him, for which he will later receive the Cross of Valour.Canadian mass shooter (born 1959)
History
1984 - The Soviet Union announces a boycott upon the Summer Olympics at Los Angeles, later joined by 14 other countries.Country in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991
History
1984 - The Thames Barrier is officially opened, preventing the floodplain of most of Greater London from being flooded except under extreme circumstances.Flood defence system for London, England
History
1980 - The World Health Organization confirms the eradication of smallpox.Specialized agency of the United Nations
Notable births
Born
2005 - Oliver Bearman, English racing driverBritish racing driver (born 2005)
Born
2003 - Moulay Hassan, Crown Prince of MoroccoCrown Prince of Morocco (born 2003)
Born
2001 - Jordyn Huitema, Canadian soccer playerCanadian soccer player (born 2001)
Born
1992 - Kevin Hayes, American ice hockey playerAmerican ice hockey player (born 1992)
Born
1990 - Lane Johnson, American football playerAmerican football player (born 1990)
Notable deaths
Died
2025 - Simon Mann, British military officer and mercenary (born 1952)British Army officer and mercenary (1952–2025)
Died
2024 - Chris Cannon, American politician (born 1950)American politician (1950–2024)
Died
2024 - Jimmy Johnson, American football player (born 1938)American football player (1938–2024)
Died
2024 - Pete McCloskey, American politician (born 1927)American politician (1927–2024)
Died
2024 - Ramón Fonseca Mora, Panamanian novelist and lawyer (born 1952)Panamanian novelist and lawyer (1952–2024)
Died
2023 - Rita Lee, Brazilian musician and author (born 1947)Brazilian musician, author, actress and television host (1947–2023)
Died
2022 - Robert Gillmor, British wildlife artist and illustrator (born 1936)English painter (1936–2022)
Died
2022 - Dennis Waterman, English actor and singer (born 1948)English actor and singer (1948–2022)
Sky
Moon phase
Waning Crescent
12.1% illuminated
Lunar age: 26.2 days
Sun zodiac
Taurus
18.12 degrees
Constellation: Aries
Moon zodiac
Aries
12.18 degrees
Constellation: Cetus
Astronomy events
No major astronomy event in the current calendar for this date.