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
October 8 Thursday, October 8, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on October 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
6
Holidays
1322
European history 704 years ago
Mladen II Šubić of Bribir is deposed as the Croatian Ban after the Battle of Bliska.
Mladen II Šubić of Bribir is deposed as Croatian Ban following his defeat at the Battle of Bliska.
History
What happened on October 8
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 316Roman history
Constantine I defeats Licinius, who loses his European territories.
Constantine I defeats Licinius, gaining control of Europe's territories.
- 451Religion
The first session of the Council of Chalcedon begins.
Ecclesiastical leaders gather for the Council of Chalcedon to address Christological disputes and define church doctrine.
- 876European history
Frankish forces led by Louis the Younger prevent a West Frankish invasion and defeat emperor Charles II ("the Bald").
Louis the Younger leads Frankish forces to victory against Emperor Charles II, preventing a West Frankish invasion.
- 1075European history
Dmitar Zvonimir is crowned King of Croatia.
Dmitar Zvonimir is crowned King of Croatia, uniting the country's nobility and church.
- 1200Royalty
Isabella of Angoulême is crowned Queen consort of England.
Isabella of Angoulême, second wife of King John, is crowned Queen consort of England at Westminster Abbey.
- 1322European history
Mladen II Šubić of Bribir is deposed as the Croatian Ban after the Battle of Bliska.
Mladen II Šubić of Bribir is deposed as Croatian Ban following his defeat at the Battle of Bliska.
- 1480Russian history
The Great Stand on the Ugra River puts an end to Tatar rule over Moscow
Ivan III's forces face down the Golden Horde across the Ugra River, ending over two centuries of Mongol-Tatar rule over Russia.
- 1573War
The Spanish siege of Alkmaar ends with the first Dutch victory in the Eighty Years' War.
The Spanish siege of Alkmaar ends, marking the first Dutch victory in the Eighty Years' War.
- 1645Canadian history
Jeanne Mance opens the first lay hospital of North America in Montreal.
Jeanne Mance establishes the Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal, the first hospital in North America.
- 1856War
The Second Opium War between several western powers and China begins with the Arrow Incident.
The Second Opium War starts with the Arrow Incident, marking tensions between Western powers and China.
- 1871US history
Slash-and-burn land management, months of drought, and the passage of a strong cold front cause the Peshtigo Fire, the Great Chicago Fire and the Great Michigan Fires to break out.
Slash-and-burn practices, drought, and a cold front lead to simultaneous outbreaks of the Peshtigo Fire, the Great Chicago Fire, and the Great Michigan Fires.
- 1991Politics
Upon the expiration of the Brioni Agreement, Croatia and Slovenia sever all official relations with Yugoslavia.
Croatia and Slovenia end their official ties with Yugoslavia following the agreement's expiration.
Born today
Famous birthdays on October 8
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 75
Shannon C. Stimson
American philosopher, historian, and theorist
Shannon C. Stimson, an American political theorist and historian of ideas whose work spans early modern to nineteenth-century economic and political thought, turns 74 today.
Born
1951
Turns 75
today
Claude Jade
French actress
1948 – 2006
Bill Elliott
American race car driver
b. 1955 · 71
Antonio Cabrini
Italian footballer and manager
b. 1957 · 69
Ruffin McNeill
American football player and coach
b. 1958 · 68
Kristanna Loken
American actress
b. 1979 · 47
Chelsea Gray
American basketball player
b. 1992 · 34
Music
The number one songs on October 8
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on October 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 October 8, 1956
The New York Yankees's Don Larsen pitches the only perfect game in a World Series.
Don Larsen pitches a perfect game for the New York Yankees in the World Series, retiring all 27 batters he faced.
Read the story
🔬 Science October 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
6 celebrated today
World Space Week (October 4-10)
International
World Space Week (WSW) is an annual holiday observed from October 4 to 10 in over 95 nations throughout the world
Air Force Day (India)
International
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is the air arm of the Indian Armed Forces
Children's Day (Iran)
International
Children's Day is a commemorative date celebrated annually in honour of children, whose date of observance varies by country
Navy Day (Peru)
International
The Peruvian Navy is the branch of the Peruvian Armed Forces tasked with surveillance, patrol and defense on lakes, rivers and the Pacific Ocean up to 200 nautical miles from the Peruvian littoral
International Lesbian Day
International
International Lesbian Day, held on October 8, is a day of celebrating lesbians, along with their culture, history, and diversity
National Fluffernutter Day
International
A fluffernutter is a sandwich made with peanut butter and marshmallow creme usually served on white bread