Fact 1: International Women's Day
March 8 is recognized and celebrated worldwide as International Women's Day. This special day is dedicated to honoring the achievements of women throughout history and all across the globe, and is typically a day for women from different cultures and backgrounds to come together to fight for gender equality.
Fact 2: The Start of Arabic Literature
On the 8th of March, 632, Arabic literature was essentially conceived. This was the day that Khalid ibn al-Walid wrote the first known Arabic letter to the Persian emperor Kosrau.
Fact 3: The First Parachute Jump took place
On this day in 1912, Albert Berry made the first parachute jump from a moving airplane. This was a significant step forward in history, paving the way for developments in aviation and space exploration.
Fact 4: The Planetarium Revelation
On March 8, 1955, the first planetarium in the United States was unveiled in the city of Chicago. This scientific advancement gave people a closer view of the stars and the universe.
Fact 5: The Cold War Thawed
The first American president, Ronald Reagan, referred to the Soviet Union as the "evil empire" on March 8, 1983, solidifying international tensions during the cold war. But ironically, this day also marked a significant thaw in the cold war relations years later when the Soviet Union’s last leader, Mikhail Gorbachev, became the General Secretary on the same day in 1985.
Fact 6: The Introduction of the Ford Mustang
March 8 is a special day in automobile history. In 1966, Ford Motor Company produced its one-millionth Mustang, a white convertible. The iconic vehicle took less than two years to hit this massive production milestone.
Fact 7: The Birth of Notable Personalities
Several renowned figures share March 8 as their birth date. These include the likes of musicians like Gary Numan and Shawn Mullins, actors such as Freddie Prinze Jr. and Aidan Quinn, and Nobel laureate and mezzo-soprano singer, Borivoj Martinic-Jercic.
Fact 8: Historic Flight by Female Aviators
On March 8, 1910, French pilot Raymonde de Laroche became the first woman in the world to receive an aeroplane pilot's license. The recognition of women's roles in aviation was further solidified on the same day in 1965 when Patricia Jenkins, the first female pilot for a major American airline, flew her first flight.
Fact 9: The Release of The Sound of Music
The beloved film, The Sound of Music, premiered on March 8, 1965, in New York City. Starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, the classic movie continues to be enjoyed by generations.
Fact 10: The Dawn of "Internet Newspapers"
On March 8, 1995, the esteemed daily The Times (London) became the first newspaper to launch an online edition, thus marking the start of a new era for journalism – the rise of digital news.
Fact 11: Mir Space Station De-orbit
On this date in 2001, the Russian space station Mir was brought down from its orbit and re-entered the earth's atmosphere, ending its 15-year space odyssey.
Fact 12: Malta’s Independence Day
Every year on March 8, the people of Malta celebrate their Freedom Day. It is a public holiday to commemorate the withdrawal of British troops and the Royal Navy from Malta in 1979.
Fact 13: The Birth of Chess Legend
World-renowned chess player Anatoly Karpov was born on March 8, 1951, in Zlatoust, Russia. He held the World Championship title from 1975 until 1985.
Fact 14: Legendary Album Release
On March 8, 1965, Bob Dylan released his fifth studio album, "Bringing It All Back Home." The rock album is credited with introducing electric instruments to folk songs.
Fact 15: Celebrating International Clinical Trial Day
March 8 is observed as International Clinical Trial Day, reflecting the critical role clinical trials play in improving health outcomes worldwide. This day aims to highlight the importance of these trials in the development of medical treatments.
Fact 16: The Birth of Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.
The highly respected U.S. Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. was born on March 8, 1841. He served as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court from 1902 to 1932, and is known for his long service, concise and pithy opinions, and the development of U.S. constitutional law.
Fact 17: The Debut of Beatles' First Movie
On March 8, 1964, the Beatles made their big screen debut with A Hard Day's Night. The film became an international success, adding even more popularity to the British rock band.
Fact 18: The Battle of Jutland Commenced
One of the most significant naval battles of World War I, known as the Battle of Jutland, began on March 8, 1916. The battle, fought by the British Royal Navy's Grand Fleet against the Imperial German Navy's High Seas Fleet, had significant implications for the progress of the war.
Fact 19: The Beatles Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
March 8 is an auspicious date for Beatles fans. On this day in 1988, The Beatles was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono, Sean Lennon, and Julian Lennon accepted the honor on behalf of the entire group.
Fact 20: Recognition of the Human Genome Project
On March 8, 2013, the U.S. Senate declared that human genome sequencing efforts would henceforth be celebrated annually on April 25 as the DNA Day. The announcement came as a recognition of the achievements of the Human Genome Project, a 13-year-long project completed on April 14, 2003, that resulted in the sequencing of the entire human genome.