April 08
Overview
Holidays & Observances
Buddha's Birthday, also known asHana Matsuri, "Flower Festival" (Japan)
In Japan, Hana Matsuri or Flower Festival commemorates the birth of Buddha on April 8 with floral offerings and animated temple processions.
Christianfeast day:
Anne Ayres(Episcopal Church (USA)), Constantina, Julie Billiartof Namur, Perpetuus, Walter of Pontoise, William Augustus Muhlenberg(Episcopal Church (USA)), April 8 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
A collective Christian observance on April 8, honoring multiple saints across Episcopal and Eastern Orthodox traditions.
Earliest day on whichFast and Prayer Daycan fall, while April 14 is the latest; celebrated on the second Friday in April (Liberia)
Liberia's Fast and Prayer Day, observed on the second Friday of April, invites citizens to unite in fasting and prayer for national wellbeing.
International Romani Day
International Romani Day on April 8 celebrates the culture, history, and rights of Romani people worldwide.
Anne Ayres(Episcopal Church (USA))
Commemorates Anne Ayres, an Episcopal educator and social reformer, on April 8.
Constantina
Feast day honoring Saint Constantina on April 8 in Eastern Orthodox tradition.
Julie Billiartof Namur
Commemorates Saint Julie Billiart, founder of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, on April 8.
Perpetuus
Feast day for Saint Perpetuus, bishop of Tours, celebrated on April 8.
Walter of Pontoise
Honors Saint Walter of Pontoise, a French abbot and reformer, on April 8.
Events
Roman emperor Caracalla is assassinated and is succeeded by his Praetorian Guard prefect, Marcus Opellius Macrinus.
In 217, Roman Emperor Caracalla was assassinated by his Praetorian Guard, ending his turbulent rule. He was succeeded by his prefect, Marcus Opellius Macrinus, marking the first non-dynastic transfer of power in Rome.
The Battle of Dayr al-'Aqul saves Baghdad from the Saffarids.
In 876, Abbasid forces repelled the invading Saffarid army at the Battle of Dayr al-'Aqul, safeguarding Baghdad from conquest.
Roger II of Sicily is excommunicated by Innocent II for supporting Anacletus II as pope for seven years, even though Roger had already publicly recognized Innocent's claim to the papacy.
In 1139, King Roger II of Sicily was excommunicated by Pope Innocent II for supporting the rival Antipope Anacletus II, intensifying the papal schism.
Mongol–Jin War: The Mongols begin their siege on Kaifeng, the capital of the Jin dynasty.
In 1232, Mongol troops began the siege of Kaifeng, the capital of China’s Jin dynasty, marking a key moment in their northern campaigns.
Seventh Crusade: Ayyubids of Egypt capture King Louis IX of France in the Battle of Fariskur.
During the Seventh Crusade on April 8, 1250, Ayyubid forces captured King Louis IX of France in the Battle of Fariskur, dealing a crushing blow to the Crusaders.
In Syria, sultan Baibars conquers the Krak des Chevaliers.
In 1271, Mamluk Sultan Baibars seized the formidable Crusader fortress Krak des Chevaliers in Syria after a prolonged siege.
The city of Oulu, Finland, is founded by Charles IX of Sweden.
In 1605, King Charles IX of Sweden founded the city of Oulu in northern Finland to promote trade and governance along the Oulujoki River.
Shearith Israel, the first synagogue in continental North America, is dedicated.
In 1730, Shearith Israel, the first synagogue in continental North America, was dedicated in New York City, marking a milestone for Jewish settlers.
Czar Alexander I, the Russian Emperor and the Grand Duke of Finland, officially announces the transfer of the status of the Finnish capital from Turku to Helsinki.
In 1812, Emperor Alexander I of Russia moved the Finnish capital from Turku to Helsinki to strengthen ties with the empire.
Births
Peter I was King of Portugal from 1357 to 1367, known as Peter the Just for his strong sense of justice and his passionate romance with Inês de Castro.
Jadwiga of Lithuania
Jadwiga of Lithuania was a Polish princess of the Jagiellonian dynasty, symbolizing the alliance between Poland and Lithuania.
John Clifford
John Clifford, 9th Baron de Clifford, was an English nobleman and Lancastrian commander during the Wars of the Roses.
Claudio Merulo
Claudio Merulo was an Italian composer and organist of the Renaissance, renowned for his pioneering keyboard and vocal works.
Barbara of Hesse was a German princess of the House of Hesse and Duchess of Württemberg by marriage.
Michele Mercati
Michele Mercati was an Italian physician and pioneering naturalist who studied fossils, minerals, and antiquities.
William Herbert
William Herbert, 3rd Earl of Pembroke, was an English nobleman and courtier renowned for his patronage of playwrights and poets.
Juan van der Hamen
Juan van der Hamen was a Spanish Baroque painter celebrated for his refined still lifes and flower compositions.
Philip IV was King of Spain and Portugal from 1621 to 1665, presiding over the Spanish Golden Age and patronizing great artists.
Deaths
Caracalla
Roman emperor from 211 to 217, famous for granting universal citizenship and building the grand Baths of Caracalla.
Shōtoku
Prince Regent of Japan (593–622) who promoted Buddhism and authored the Seventeen-Article Constitution.
Charibert II
King of Aquitaine from 629 to 632, known for his brief independent rule in southern Gaul.
Adalelm
Count of Troyes and Frankish nobleman active in the late 9th century West Francia.
Wang Yanxi
Emperor of the Min Kingdom (r. 939–944) during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, remembered for his turbulent rule.
Gilbert
A shadowy Frankish nobleman whose life and legacy remain largely undocumented.
Mu'izz al-Dawla
Buyid emir who captured Baghdad in 945, inaugurating Buyid dominance over the Abbasid Caliphate.
John II Komnenos
Byzantine emperor from 1118 to 1143, renowned for his military leadership and administrative reforms.
Gertrude of Babenberg
Duchess of Bohemia as consort of Vladislav II, noted for her Babenberg heritage and political influence.