On This Day in History
March 8
Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 Disappears
Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 vanished en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 people aboard. The aircraft’s mysterious disappearance led to one of aviation's largest search efforts.
Panama Canal Treaty Ratified by U.S. Senate
The U.S. Senate ratified the Torrijos–Carter Treaties, agreeing to transfer control of the Panama Canal to Panama by the end of 1999, ending nearly a century of American oversight.
Janet Guthrie Becomes First Woman to Compete in NASCAR Winston Cup
Janet Guthrie broke gender barriers by becoming the first woman to compete in a NASCAR Winston Cup superspeedway race, paving the way for future generations of women in motorsports.
Second Vatican Council Ends Index of Forbidden Books
As part of the reforms from the Second Vatican Council, the Catholic Church formally abolished the Index Librorum Prohibitorum, ending centuries of institutional book censorship.
U.S. Senate Approves Nuclear Test Ban Treaty with the Soviet Union
The U.S. Senate approved a nuclear test ban treaty with the Soviet Union, prohibiting atmospheric, outer space, and underwater tests. It was a major Cold War milestone in arms control diplomacy.
Syrian Ba'ath Party Seizes Power in Military Coup
The Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party took control of Syria through a military coup, beginning decades of authoritarian rule and shaping modern Middle Eastern geopolitics.
Mickey Spillane Publishes 'I, the Jury', Introducing Mike Hammer
Mickey Spillane released 'I, the Jury', the first novel featuring hard-boiled detective Mike Hammer. The character would become one of the most popular figures in pulp fiction.
UNICEF Founded to Aid Children Post-WWII
The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) was established to provide emergency food and healthcare to children in countries devastated by World War II. It later became a permanent UN agency.
Otto Hahn Receives Nobel Prize in Chemistry for Nuclear Fission Discovery
German chemist Otto Hahn was awarded the Nobel Prize for his discovery of nuclear fission. His work laid the scientific groundwork for atomic energy and weapons development.
German Forces Occupy Czechoslovakia’s Bohemia and Moravia
Nazi Germany moved troops into Bohemia and Moravia, effectively dissolving Czechoslovakia. The occupation marked a key step in Hitler’s expansionist policy before World War II.
First Women’s Boat Race Held Between Oxford and Cambridge
The first Women’s Boat Race between Oxford and Cambridge Universities took place on the River Isis, initiating one of the longest-running traditions in women’s collegiate sports in the UK.
International Women's Day First Celebrated by Soviet Russia
Women in Petrograd protested for bread and peace, sparking a workers' strike that helped trigger the Russian Revolution. This day became the foundation for International Women's Day.
World’s First Recorded International Women’s Day Rallies Held
International Women’s Day was marked for the first time across Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland with over a million people rallying for women's suffrage, labor rights, and equality.
Japanese Railways Nationalized
The Japanese government nationalized 17 private railroads, creating the state-run Japanese Government Railways system. This paved the way for Japan’s modern high-speed rail infrastructure.
Egyptian Museum in Cairo Opens to the Public
The Egyptian Museum, housing the world's largest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts including the treasures of Tutankhamun, officially opened in Cairo and became a global heritage site.
U.S. Supreme Court Declares Women Lawyers May Practice Before It
Belva Lockwood became the first woman admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, following congressional legislation that allowed women to appear in court at the federal level.
First Recorded Baseball Game Played in England
The first documented baseball game in England was played in Liverpool by American teams during a goodwill tour. It marked a major step in baseball's international outreach.
First Japanese Diplomatic Mission to the West Returns Home
The Iwakura Mission, a Japanese diplomatic and educational expedition to the United States and Europe, returned to Japan. The mission greatly influenced Japan’s modernization and Meiji reforms.
Katsushika Hokusai’s 'The Great Wave' Published in Edo Period Japan
Katsushika Hokusai’s iconic woodblock print 'The Great Wave off Kanagawa' was released as part of his 'Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji' series, becoming one of the most recognized images in Japanese art.
New York Stock Exchange Founded
The New York Stock Exchange was officially founded with the adoption of a formal constitution, becoming the most influential financial market in the world.