On This Day in History

May 8

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1996
Exploration

First Ascent of Mount Everest by a Woman Without Oxygen

Tibetan mountaineer Pasang Lhamu Sherpa became the first woman from Nepal to summit Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen. Her achievement was a landmark in women’s mountaineering history.

📍 Mount Everest, Nepal/Tibet

Mountaineering Women in Sports Nepal
1994
Culture

World Thalassemia Day Established to Raise Awareness

World Thalassemia Day was created to increase awareness about thalassemia, a genetic blood disorder. The day promotes education, prevention, and support for affected families worldwide.

📍 Global

Health Awareness Genetics
1987
Culture

Homer Simpson Appears for the First Time on The Tracey Ullman Show

Homer Simpson made his first appearance in a short cartoon segment on The Tracey Ullman Show, marking the beginning of what would become one of television's most iconic shows, *The Simpsons*.

📍 United States

D’oh!
Television Animation Pop Culture
1981
Politics

French President François Mitterrand Elected

François Mitterrand was elected President of France, becoming the country’s first Socialist president under the Fifth Republic. His administration marked a turning point in French domestic and foreign policy.

📍 Paris, France

France Presidency Socialism
1970
Culture

Beatles’ Album ‘Let It Be’ Released in the UK

The Beatles released their final studio album *Let It Be* in the UK. Despite tensions within the band, the album featured enduring hits and symbolized the end of the Beatles’ legendary collaboration.

📍 London, United Kingdom

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be. Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.
Music The Beatles Rock
1968
Invention

Sony Unveils the First Trinitron Color TV

Sony introduced the Trinitron, a revolutionary color television technology that provided superior image quality and became a global standard for decades. It marked Sony's rise as a leader in consumer electronics.

📍 Tokyo, Japan

Technology Television Sony
1967
Culture

Jimi Hendrix Signs His First U.S. Record Contract

Rock legend Jimi Hendrix signed his first major American recording contract, launching a brief but revolutionary music career that would transform electric guitar performance and psychedelic rock.

📍 New York City, United States

When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.
Music Rock Electric Guitar
1953
Culture

Ernest Hemingway Wins Pulitzer Prize for Fiction

Ernest Hemingway was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for his novella *The Old Man and the Sea*. The work solidified his reputation as one of the greatest American writers of the 20th century.

📍 United States

A man can be destroyed but not defeated.
Literature Pulitzer American Authors
1948
Culture

World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day Observed Globally

World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day honors the humanitarian efforts of volunteers and organizations around the world. The date commemorates the birth of Henry Dunant, founder of the Red Cross and Nobel Peace laureate.

📍 Global

Humanitarian Red Cross Health
1946
Politics

United Nations Holds First General Assembly Meeting in New York

The first official meeting of the United Nations General Assembly was held in New York, establishing a central forum for international diplomacy and conflict resolution in the post-WWII world order.

📍 New York City, United States

UN Global Diplomacy Postwar
1945
War

Victory in Europe (VE) Day Celebrated as WWII Ends in Europe

Allied nations celebrated Victory in Europe Day as Nazi Germany’s unconditional surrender took effect. The day marked the formal end of World War II in Europe and sparked celebrations worldwide.

📍 Europe

WWII Surrender Allies
1945
War

World War II Officially Ends in Western Europe

On this day, the Allies formally accepted Nazi Germany’s unconditional surrender. The event marked the end of World War II in Western Europe, although fighting would continue in the Pacific theater until August.

📍 Berlin, Germany

WWII Germany Surrender
1932
Culture

Formation of the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC)

Australia established its national broadcaster, the ABC, modeled after the BBC. It became a cornerstone of public media in Australia, providing news, education, and entertainment for decades.

📍 Sydney, Australia

Broadcasting Australia Media
1912
Culture

Paramount Pictures Founded in Hollywood

Paramount Pictures, one of the oldest surviving film studios, was founded on this day. It helped shape the Golden Age of Hollywood and remains a key player in the global entertainment industry.

📍 Hollywood, California, United States

Cinema Hollywood Entertainment
1902
Tragedy

Mount Pelee Eruption Destroys Saint-Pierre, Martinique

Mount Pelée erupted violently on the island of Martinique, destroying the city of Saint-Pierre and killing nearly 30,000 people. It remains one of the deadliest volcanic eruptions of the 20th century.

📍 Saint-Pierre, Martinique

Volcano Natural Disaster Caribbean
1899
Politics

End of the Spanish–American War Marked by Treaty Ratification

The U.S. Senate ratified the Treaty of Paris, formally ending the Spanish–American War. The treaty ceded control of the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico to the U.S., marking a major expansion of American influence.

📍 Washington, D.C., United States

Imperialism War United States
1893
Culture

First Appearance of the Coca-Cola Logo as a Registered Trademark

The Coca-Cola logo was officially registered with the U.S. Patent Office. This iconic brand would go on to become a global symbol of American culture and one of the world’s most recognizable trademarks.

📍 Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Brands Commerce Trademark
1886
Culture

First Coca-Cola Sold to the Public

Pharmacist John Pemberton sold the first glass of Coca-Cola at Jacob's Pharmacy in Atlanta. Originally promoted as a medicinal tonic, it evolved into the world’s most iconic soft drink brand.

📍 Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Brands Beverage Commerce
1884
Politics

Birth of Harry S. Truman, 33rd President of the United States

Harry S. Truman, who would become the 33rd U.S. president and lead the country through the final stages of World War II and the early Cold War, was born in Lamar, Missouri.

📍 Lamar, Missouri, United States

The buck stops here.
Presidency U.S. History WWII
1863
Politics

International Committee of the Red Cross Founded by Henry Dunant

Henry Dunant, a Swiss humanitarian, formally founded the International Committee of the Red Cross. The organization would go on to play a pivotal role in international humanitarian law and global disaster response.

📍 Geneva, Switzerland

Humanitarian Nonprofit Switzerland