Box-office #1
The Empire Strikes Back
1980 · dir. Irvin Kershner
Wide US release on May 23, 1980. Goes on to become the highest-grossing film of the year.
Sci-fiStar Wars $538M worldwide
On this day
February 8 Sunday, February 8, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on February 8 across the years — history, birthdays, the songs that ruled the charts, the films that packed cinemas, and the science that nudged the world forward.
12
Events
7
Birthdays
4
Holidays
1347
European history 679 years ago
The Byzantine civil war of 1341-47 ends with a power-sharing agreement between John VI Kantakouzenos and John V Palaiologos.
John VI Kantakouzenos and John V Palaiologos reach a power-sharing agreement, ending six years of Byzantine civil war.
History
What happened on February 8
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 421World history
Constantius III becomes co-emperor of the Western Roman Empire.
Constantius III is appointed co-emperor of the Western Roman Empire alongside Honorius.
- 1238War
The Mongols burn the Russian city of Vladimir.
The Mongols destroy the Russian city of Vladimir, burning it to the ground and devastating its population.
- 1250War
Seventh Crusade: Crusaders engage Ayyubid forces in the Battle of Al Mansurah.
Crusaders clash with Ayyubid forces at the Battle of Al Mansurah, suffering heavy losses.
- 1347European history
The Byzantine civil war of 1341-47 ends with a power-sharing agreement between John VI Kantakouzenos and John V Palaiologos.
John VI Kantakouzenos and John V Palaiologos reach a power-sharing agreement, ending six years of Byzantine civil war.
- 1587Royalty
Mary, Queen of Scots is executed on suspicion of having been involved in the Babington Plot to murder her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I.
Mary, Queen of Scots is beheaded for her alleged involvement in a plot against Queen Elizabeth I.
- 1601UK history
Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, unsuccessfully rebels against Queen Elizabeth I.
Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, leads a failed rebellion against Queen Elizabeth I in London, resulting in his arrest and subsequent execution for treason.
- 1693US history
The College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, the second-oldest institution of higher education in the Thirteen Colonies, is granted a charter by King William III and Queen Mary II.
The College of William & Mary receives a royal charter from King William III and Queen Mary II.
- 1879Canadian history
Sandford Fleming first proposes the adoption of Universal Standard Time at a meeting of the Royal Canadian Institute.
Sandford Fleming proposes the adoption of Universal Standard Time at a meeting of the Royal Canadian Institute.
- 1887US history
The Dawes Act is enacted, authorizing the U.S. President to divide Native American tribal land into individual allotments.
The Dawes Act is enacted, allowing the president to allocate Native American tribal lands into individual plots.
- 1904War
Japanese forces launch a surprise attack against Russian-controlled Port Arthur, marking the start of the Russo-Japanese war.
Japanese forces attack Russian-controlled Port Arthur, initiating the Russo-Japanese War.
- 1937War
Spanish Civil War: Republican forces establish the Interprovincial Council of Santander, Palencia and Burgos in Cantabria.
Republican forces establish the Interprovincial Council to govern Cantabria, encompassing Santander, Palencia, and Burgos.
- 2013Disaster
A blizzard kills at least 18 and leaves hundreds of thousands of people without electricity in the northeastern United States and parts of Canada.
A severe blizzard leaves hundreds of thousands without power and claims at least 18 lives across the northeastern United States and parts of Canada.
Born today
Famous birthdays on February 8
7 this date All birthdays
Gary Coleman
American actor
Gary Wayne Coleman, the American actor who became a high-profile child star of the late 1970s and 1980s playing Arnold Jackson in the sitcom "Diff'rent Strokes," was born in 1968.
Born
1968
Died
2010
Snowy Baker
Australian boxer, rugby player, and actor
1884 – 1953
James Dean
American actor
1931 – 1955
Jagjit Singh
Indian singer-songwriter
1941 – 2011
Robert Klein
American comedian, actor, and singer
b. 1942 · 84
Valerie Thomas
American scientist and inventor
b. 1943 · 83
Arlie Petters
Belizean-American mathematical physicist and academic
b. 1964 · 62
Music
The number one songs on February 8
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on February 8, 1981
"Stand and Deliver"
by Adam and the Ants
The dandy highwayman spent five weeks at the top — a brash, glam-pop coronation.
#1 for 5 weeks
Also #1 on this day
- 1965"Ticket To Ride"— The Beatles
- 1972"Metal Guru"— T. Rex
- 2003"Make Luv"— Room 5 ft. Oliver Cheatham
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport February 8, 1879
England's cricket team, led by Lord Harris, is attacked in a riot during a match in Sydney.
Lord Harris and his English cricket team are attacked in a Sydney riot during a match.
Read the story
🔬 Science February 8, 1995
Java 1.0 is unveiled
Sun Microsystems releases a programming language that will become the backbone of enterprise computing and Android.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
4 celebrated today
Parinirvana Day (some Mahayana Buddhism traditions; most celebrate on February 15)
International
Parinirvana Day, or Nirvana Day is a Mahayana Buddhist holiday celebrated in East Asia, Vietnam and the Philippines
Prešeren Day (Slovenia)
International
Prešeren Day, full name Prešeren Day, the Slovene Cultural Holiday, is a public holiday celebrated in Slovenia on 8 February
Propose Day (India)
International
Propose Day is celebrated in India on 8 February as a day to propose to one's significant other
Military Foundation Day (North Korea)
International
Military Foundation Day is an annual public holiday in North Korea falling on 8 February
❝
I don't hurt or want for visibility, but people seem to forget pretty easily.
— Gary Coleman · born February 8, 1968