22 Fascinating Facts About March 8: Events On This Day

ByKim Richmond Hours Updated Categories Time & Calendar

Among the wealth of facts about March 8, one stands paramount: its emergence as International Women’s Day, a global celebration of women’s achievements and a call for gender equality that resonates across cultures and continents.

Beyond this powerful legacy, the date has witnessed remarkable scientific discoveries, cultural milestones, and historical turning points that have shaped our modern world in profound ways.

March 8 Facts At-a-Glance

Historical Significance: International Women’s Day (1910)
Cultural Observances: International Women’s Day
Notable Event: The February Revolution begins (1917), first U.S. combat troops land in Vietnam (1965), Reagan’s “Evil Empire” speech (1983).
Famous Birthdays: Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., Lynn Redgrave, Kenneth Grahame, Micky Dolenz.
Scientific Achievement: Discovery of Uranus’s Rings (1977), Suisei spacecraft nears Halley’s Comet (1986)
Entertainment Milestone: First Female Academy Award Director (2010)
Numerological Position: 67th day of the year
Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Historical Events and Turning Points

March 8 marks several pivotal moments that have shaped social progress and human rights worldwide.

  1. On March 8, 1910, Clara Zetkin proposed the idea of International Women’s Day at the International Conference of Working Women.
  2. On March 8, 1917, the February Revolution began in Russia when women textile workers in Petrograd went on strike.
  3. On March 8, 1965, the first U.S. combat troops arrived in Vietnam, landing at Da Nang.
  4. On March 8, 1983, President Reagan first used the term “Evil Empire” to describe the Soviet Union during a speech delivered at the height of the Cold War and the Soviet–Afghan War.

Cultural Impact and Celebrations

The eighth day of March has witnessed significant cultural developments and artistic achievements that continue to influence society.

  1. On March 8, 2010, Kathryn Bigelow became the first woman to win the Academy Award for Best Director for “The Hurt Locker.”
  2. The United Nations celebrated its first official International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8, 1975, during International Women’s Year
  3. The “A Day Without a Woman” protest took place on March 8, 2017, as a global demonstration advocating for gender equality and women’s rights. It was one of the largest International Women’s Day protests ever.
  4. On March 8, 1999, Baseball Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio passed away, ending an era in American sports history.
  5. On March 8, 2014, Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 vanished while traveling from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, prompting one of the most extensive search efforts in aviation history.
  6. March 8 is recognized as National Peanut Cluster Day in the United States, a day to celebrate the beloved combination of chocolate and peanuts in a crunchy, sweet treat.
  7. On March 8, 1979, Philips unveiled the first compact disc (CD) to the press, an innovation that revolutionized the way music was stored and played.

Notable Births and Achievements

March 8 has marked the birth of influential figures who have left indelible marks across various fields.

  1. On March 8, 1841, Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. was born, later becoming a legendary Supreme Court Justice.
  2. Alan Hale Jr., the actor best known for portraying the Skipper on Gilligan’s Island, was born on March 8, 1921.
  3. On March 8, 1943, Lynn Redgrave was born in London, later becoming a celebrated actress and member of the Redgrave theatrical dynasty.
  4. On March 8, 1859, Kenneth Grahame was born, later authoring the classic “The Wind in the Willows.”
  5. On March 8, 1945, Micky Dolenz was born, later becoming a member of The Monkees.

Scientific and Technological Milestones

March 8 marks several groundbreaking achievements in science and technology that expanded human knowledge.

  1. On March 8, 1979, NASA’s Voyager 1 (the farthest human-made object from Earth) discovered active volcanoes on Jupiter’s moon Io. The discovery was made by accident while the spacecraft was taking pictures to determine its location.
  2. On March 8, 1986, Japan’s Suisei spacecraft made its closest approach to Halley’s Comet, at a distance of 151,000 kilometers.
  3. The New York Stock Exchange was established on March 8, 1817, when a group of traders formalized its constitution, laying the foundation for modern financial markets.

Sports and Entertainment History

The world of sports and entertainment has witnessed remarkable achievements on March 8.

  1. On March 8, 1971, the “Fight of the Century” saw Joe Frazier defeat Muhammad Ali in their first meeting, held at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
  2. On March 8, 2004, Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
  3. Ava Max topped the UK music charts on March 8, 2019, with her hit song Sweet But Psycho, making her the first artist that year to reach No. 1.

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