October 8 in History
October 8 is the birthday of Ángela Aguilar (2003) and the anniversary of the death of Miguel Ángel Russo (2025). Below are famous birthdays, deaths, events for October 8, plus editor's picks and genealogy records.
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Pyrrhus of Epirus was born in 319 BC, while Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan, Umayyad caliph died in 705.
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Famous people born on October 8
Famous people who died on October 8
2025
Miguel Ángel Russo (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
Argentine football player and manager (1956–2025)
2024
Tim Johnson (South Dakota politician) (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
American politician (1946–2024)
2008
George Emil Palade (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
Romanian cell biologist, physicist and Nobel laureate
1985
Malcolm Ross (balloonist) (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
20th-century U.S. Navy Reserve captain, atmospheric scientist, and balloonist
1985
Gordon Welchman (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
English cryptanalyst and mathematician (1906–1985)
What happened on October 8
- 2020
Second Nagorno-Karabakh War: Azerbaijan twice deliberately targets the Church of the Holy Savior Ghazanchetsots of Shusha.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2019
About 200 Extinction Rebellion activists block the gates of Leinster House (parliament) in the Republic of Ireland.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2005
The 7.6 Mw Kashmir earthquake leaves 86,000–87,351 people dead, 69,000–75,266 injured, and 2.8 million homeless.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2001
A twin engine Cessna and a Scandinavian Airlines System jetliner collide in heavy fog during takeoff from Milan, Italy, killing 118 people.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2001
U.S. president George W. Bush announces the establishment of the Office of Homeland Security.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1991
Upon the expiration of the Brioni Agreement, Croatia and Slovenia sever all official relations with Yugoslavia.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1990
First Intifada: Israeli police kill 17 Palestinians and wound over 100 near the Dome of the Rock.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1986
An explosion occurs at the Cipel-Marco fur factory in Kwai Chung, Hong Kong, killing 14 and injuring 10.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1982
Poland bans Solidarity and all other trade unions.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1978
Australia's Ken Warby sets the current world water speed record of 275.97 knots at Blowering Dam, Australia.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1974
Franklin National Bank collapses due to fraud and mismanagement; at the time it is the largest bank failure in the history of the United States.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1973
Yom Kippur War: Israel loses more than 150 tanks in a failed attack on Egyptian-occupied positions.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1973
Spyros Markezinis begins his 48-day term as prime minister in an abortive attempt to lead Greece to parliamentary rule.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1970
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn wins the Nobel Prize in literature.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1969
The opening rally of the Days of Rage occurs, organized by the Weather Underground in Chicago.
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 October 8
- 319 BC — Pyrrhus of Epirus (died 272 BC)
- 1150 — Narapatisithu, king of Burma (died 1211)
- 1515 — Margaret Douglas, daughter of Archibald Douglas (died 1578)
Died on October 8
- 705 — Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan, Umayyad caliph (born 646)
- 923 — Pilgrim I, archbishop of Salzburg
- 951 — Xiao Sagezhi, Chinese Khitan empress
Source: Wikipedia historical listings for October 8
Quick answers
Who was born on October 8? Ángela Aguilar (2003), Brian Thomas Jr. (2002), Zheng Qinwen (2002).
Who died on October 8? Miguel Ángel Russo (2025), Tim Johnson (South Dakota politician) (2024), Luis Tiant (2024).
Explore genealogy records
Researching someone born in October? Search birth records
Live genealogy events
This calendar is live and has its own date controls; it is separate from the October 8 historical article above.
Ancestry
Holiday Sale: 65% off AncestryDNA. Offer ends 11/19. Terms apply.
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Ancestry
AncestryDNA® with Traits
Ethnicity estimate, DNA matches and personal traits.