April 8: Holidays, Historical Events, Famous Birthdays & Zodiac Sign
On April 8, 1820, the world changed forever with the accidental discovery of the iconic Venus de Milo on a small Aegean island.
Quick Facts for April 8
- Zodiac sign: Aries
- Day of year: 98
About April 8
April 8 is a day steeped in cultural recognition and monumental historical shifts. For many, it serves as International Romani Day, a time to honor the rich heritage and diverse history of the Romani people globally. In Japan, the day is celebrated through Hana Matsuri, or the Flower Festival, marking Buddha's Birthday with beautiful traditions and offerings.
The date also holds a special place in the annals of sports history. In 1974, baseball legend Hank Aaron reached a massive milestone, hitting his 715th career home run to surpass Babe Ruth's long-standing record. Whether witnessing the heights of athletic achievement or participating in solemn observances, April 8 offers a profound connection to the human experience across centuries.
Holidays & Observances on April 8
- Buddha's Birthday, also known as Hana Matsuri, "Flower Festival" (Japan)
- Earliest day on which Fast and Prayer Day can fall, while April 14 is the latest; celebrated on the second Friday in April (Liberia)
- International Romani Day
Fun & National Days on April 8
- Dog Farting Awareness Day — Embrace the silly side of pet ownership with a laugh today!
- Draw a Picture of a Bird Day — Grab your pencils and capture the beauty of our feathered friends.
- National Empanada Day — Celebrate by enjoying a delicious, savory stuffed pastry.
- Trading Cards For Grown-ups Day — Rediscover the joy of collecting cards, no matter your age.
- International Day of Pink
- International Feng Shui Awareness Day
- National All is Ours Day
- National Dog Fighting Awareness Day
- Step into the Spotlight! Day
On This Day in History
- 217 — The Roman Emperor Caracalla was killed, leading to the rise of Marcus Opellius Macrinus.
- 1143 — Manuel I Komnenos assumed leadership of the Byzantine Empire following the death of his father, John II.
- 1271 — The formidable fortress of Krak des Chevaliers was captured by the sultan Baibars in Syria.
- 1730 — The first North American synagogue located on the continent, Shearith Israel, was officially dedicated.
- 1820 — Archaeologists uncovered the world-famous Venus de Milo statue on the island of Milos.
- 1904 — The Entente cordiale was signed, establishing a significant diplomatic agreement between Britain and France.
- 1959 — A collaborative meeting took place to develop COBOL, a foundational programming language for computers.
- 1974 — Hank Aaron made history by hitting home run number 715, breaking Babe Ruth's all-time record.
- 1993 — NASA launched the Space Shuttle Discovery to carry out the STS-56 mission.
- 2002 — Astronaut Jerry L. Ross achieved a milestone by participating in his seventh spaceflight during STS-110.
- 2014 — The era of Windows XP officially ended as Microsoft ceased all standard support for the operating system.
- 2024 — A total solar eclipse moved across North America, providing a rare celestial spectacle.
Famous Birthdays on April 8
- 1892 — Mary Pickford, The legendary Canadian-American actress and influential film industry co-founder.
- 1912 — Sonja Henie, The world-renowned Norwegian-American figure skater and successful Hollywood actress.
- 1918 — Betty Ford, The influential First Lady of the United States during the Gerald Ford administration.
- 1920 — Carmen McRae, The celebrated American jazz singer, pianist, and talented songwriter.
- 1938 — Kofi Annan, The distinguished Ghanaian diplomat who served as the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations.
- 1941 — Vivienne Westwood, The iconic English fashion designer who revolutionized the world of style.