28 fun facts for December, 8

Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
<< December, 7
December, 9 >>
Summary
December 8th is a day filled with various fun facts, including the celebration of National Brownie Day, National Christmas Tree Day, and Immaculate Conception Day. Notable events on this day include Beethoven's 7th Symphony premiere, the first woman performing on the English stage, and the founding of the United Nations Environment Programme.
28 Fun facts
  1. In 1813, Ludwig van Beethoven premiered his 7th Symphony in Vienna, Austria. This symphony is known for its lively energy and infectious rhythms that reflect Beethoven's optimistic spirit.
  2. December 8th is the Day of Finnish Music in Finland. The date marks the birthday of Jean Sibelius, a distinguished Finnish composer whose music helped Finland assert its national identity during its struggle for independence.
  3. On December 8th, 1941, the United States officially entered World War II when it declared war on Japan. This was in response to the attack on Pearl Harbor that had occurred the day before.
  4. In 1980, John Lennon, a member of the iconic band the Beatles, was tragically murdered in New York City. Lennon was shot multiple times by Mark David Chapman outside of Lennon's home.
  5. In 1660, Margaret Hughes became the first woman to perform as an actress on the English stage. This was a significant event for women in the arts, as females were previously prohibited from stage performances.
  6. December 8th is National Brownie Day in the United States. The celebration honors the delicious and popular dessert that first appeared in American cookbooks in the late 19th century.
  7. In 1966, the Greek ship SS Heraklion sank after encountering a severe storm in the Aegean Sea. The tragedy resulted in the loss of more than 200 lives and led to significant improvements in maritime safety regulations.
  8. On December 8th, 1987, US President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev signed the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. This agreement marked an important step in reducing nuclear weapons worldwide.
  9. In 1542, Mary, Queen of Scots was born. She was the only surviving legitimate child of King James V of Scotland and went on to become one of the most well-known and controversial monarchs in history.
  10. December 8th is National Lard Day in the United States. The celebration recognizes the versatile and much-maligned cooking fat that has a long culinary history worldwide.
  11. In 1828, the first US presidential election with multiple candidates took place. This election, known as the 1828 United States presidential election, resulted in a victory for Andrew Jackson, with John Quincy Adams finishing as the runner-up.
  12. On December 8th, 1993, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was signed by US President Bill Clinton. The agreement helped stimulate trade and strengthen economic ties between the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
  13. December 8th is National Christmas Tree Day in the United States. This holiday encourages families to select and decorate their Christmas trees together in the spirit of the holiday season.
  14. In 1982, Norman Mayer, a political activist, was killed by police after holding the Washington Monument hostage for ten hours. Mayer threatened to blow up the monument in an attempt to draw attention to the dangers of nuclear weapons.
  15. On December 8th, 1983, the Australian television movie, "The Dismissal", was first broadcast. This drama tells the story of the controversial 1975 dismissal of Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam.
  16. December 8th is National Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day. Participants are encouraged to dress up in costumes and talk as if they are from another time period, creating whimsical fun and engaging conversations.
  17. In 1994, Russian President Boris Yeltsin signed a historic agreement with NATO to join the Partnership for Peace. This marked a significant step in cooperation between Russia and the Western military alliance.
  18. On December 8th, 2004, the Cuzco Declaration was signed by the heads of state of the countries of South America. This declaration marked the foundation of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR).
  19. December 8th is Immaculate Conception Day, a Christian celebration that honors the belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was conceived without sin. In many countries, it is a public holiday and is celebrated with various events and traditions.
  20. In 1972, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) was established on December 8th. UNEP is an agency dedicated to providing leadership and encouraging partnership in caring for the environment worldwide.
  21. On December 8th, 2009, the European Union became a full member of the European Space Agency (ESA). This marked a significant step in the deepening of cooperation in space between EU countries.
  22. December 8th is National Take it in the Ear Day, a humorous holiday that encourages people to acknowledge the presence of negative influences and gossip and to turn the other ear to such things.
  23. In 2005, the first flight of the HondaJet occurred on December 8th. This light business jet is manufactured by Honda Aircraft Company and marked a significant milestone in the development of Honda's aviation business.
  24. On December 8th, 1963, Pan Am Flight 214, a Boeing 707 jet, was struck by lightning and crashed in Elkton, Maryland. The accident resulted in the loss of all 81 passengers and crew on board.
  25. December 8th is International Shareware Day. This celebration recognizes the importance of shareware software, allowing users to try before they buy and supporting the efforts of small software developers.
  26. In 1907, the first issue of "The Billboard," later renamed "Billboard Magazine," was published on December 8th. This publication provides extensive coverage of the music industry, including news, event information, and chart rankings.
  27. In 1983, a robbery at the Sentry Armored Car Courier Company in New York City took place on December 8th. The thieves made off with $11 million in cash, making it one of the largest cash robberies in American history.
  28. December 8th is National Salesperson Day, which recognizes the hard work and efforts of salespeople worldwide. The day celebrates their contributions to the growth and prosperity of the economy.

Browse all the fun facts per month