On This Day - December 8, 2026

National days, ongoing national weeks and months, and global observances for December 8, 2026. Plus historical events and birthdays.

2026

Ongoing National Months

These observances last the full month; this date is part of that month-long celebration.

Showing the first 12 on this date; there are more month-long observances. See the full months list for December.

Global Observances

International and other global observances on this date (may include days, weeks, or months).

Historical Events on December 8

Events that occurred on December 8 throughout history

1896

The U.S. Patent Office issued patent No. 572,849 to J.T. White for the improvement in a Lemon Squeezer. The invention made juicing and straining lemons easier.

1927

Robert S. Brookings joined with other government reformers to create the Brookings Institute. The private organization was the first of its kind devoted to independently researching policy on a broad variety of topics and concerns.

1941

President Franklin D. Roosevelt addresses the U.S. Congress one day after the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor and gives his "Day of Infamy" speech.

1978

The Deer Hunter premieres in Los Angeles, CA. Starring Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, and Meryl Streep, the Vietnam War film directed by Michael Cimino won five Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor in a Supporting Role.

1980

Mark David Chapman murders John Lennon in New York City.

2010

SpaceX becomes the first private company to successfully launch, orbit, and recover a spacecraft upon the return of the unmanned space capsule Dragon. December 8th Celebrated (And Not So Celebrated) Birthdays

Born on December 8

People born on December 8

Cara Mund

Norman Finkelstein

Gregg Allman

Jean Ritchie

Charles Lincoln Edwards

Teri Hatcher

Bob Arum

Sammy Davis Jr.

Ann Coulter

Margaret Geller

Bob Greene

Robert Bullock

Larry Martin

Adele Simpson (1903-1995)

Ryan Newman

Jim Morrison

William C. Durant

Aaron Allston

Kim Basinger

Luther Prentice Bradley