May 8 in History
May 8 is the birthday of Oliver Bearman (2005) and the anniversary of the death of Simon Mann (2025). Below are famous birthdays, deaths, events for May 8, plus editor's picks and genealogy records.
Ancestry
Holiday Sale: 65% off AncestryDNA. Offer ends 11/19. Terms apply.
Discover your ethnicity and find relatives with AncestryDNA.
Joan I, Countess of Auvergne was born in 1326, while Pope John II died in 535.
Ancestry
AncestryDNA® with Traits
Ethnicity estimate, DNA matches and personal traits.
Famous people born on May 8
Famous people who died on May 8
2023
Rita Lee (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
Brazilian musician, author, actress and television host (1947–2023)
2012
Roman Totenberg (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
Polish-American violinist and educator (1911–2012)
What happened on May 8
- 2025
The 2025 papal conclave elects Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, taking the name Leo XIV as the 267th Pope of the Catholic Church.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 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.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 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.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1997
China Southern Airlines Flight 3456 crashes on approach into Bao'an International Airport, killing 35 people.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 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".
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1987
The SAS kills eight Provisional Irish Republican Army volunteers and a civilian during an ambush in Loughgall, Northern Ireland.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 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.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1984
The Soviet Union announces a boycott upon the Summer Olympics at Los Angeles, later joined by 14 other countries.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1984
The Thames Barrier is officially opened, preventing the floodplain of most of Greater London from being flooded except under extreme circumstances.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1980
The World Health Organization confirms the eradication of smallpox.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1978
The first ascent of Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen, by Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1976
The rollercoaster The New Revolution, the first steel coaster with a vertical loop, opens at Six Flags Magic Mountain.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1973
A 71-day standoff between federal authorities and the American Indian Movement members occupying the Pine Ridge Reservation at Wounded Knee, South Dakota ends with the surrender of the militants.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1972
Vietnam War: U.S. President Richard Nixon announces his order to place naval mines in major North Vietnamese ports in order to stem the flow of weapons and other goods to that nation.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1970
The Beatles release their 12th and final studio album Let It Be.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab)
Births, deaths and events from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0 (opens in a new tab).
Editor's picks
Born on May 8
- 1326 — Joan I, Countess of Auvergne (died 1360)
- 1427 — John Tiptoft, 1st Earl of Worcester, Lord High Treasurer (died 1470)
- 1460 — Frederick I, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach (died 1536)
Died on May 8
- 535 — Pope John II
- 615 — Pope Boniface IV (born 550)
- 685 — Pope Benedict II
Source: Wikipedia historical listings for May 8
Quick answers
Who was born on May 8? Oliver Bearman (2005), Moulay Hassan, Crown Prince of Morocco (2003), Jordyn Huitema (2001).
Who died on May 8? Simon Mann (2025), Chris Cannon (2024), Jimmy Johnson (cornerback) (2024).
Explore genealogy records
Researching someone born in May? Search birth records
Live genealogy events
This calendar is live and has its own date controls; it is separate from the May 8 historical article above.
Ancestry
Holiday Sale: 65% off AncestryDNA. Offer ends 11/19. Terms apply.
Discover your ethnicity and find relatives with AncestryDNA.
Ancestry
AncestryDNA® with Traits
Ethnicity estimate, DNA matches and personal traits.