1898day.year
The first games of the Italian football league system are played.
In 1898, the inaugural matches of Italy’s first football league were played, marking the birth of organized soccer in the country.
On May 8, 1898, clubs from Turin and Genoa competed in the first official games under the newly formed Italian Football Federation. The Milan Foot-Ball and Cricket Club (later AC Milan) and Genoa Cricket and Football Club were among the pioneers participating in the round-robin tournament. These early matches laid the groundwork for the development of a national league, standardizing rules and fostering local rivalries. Football quickly gained popularity across Italy, leading to the establishment of Serie A in 1929. The 1898 season’s legacy endures as the origin of Italy’s deeply rooted football culture and its future successes on the international stage.
1898
Italian football league system
1978day.year
The first ascent of Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen, by Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler.
Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler become the first climbers to summit Everest without supplemental oxygen.
On May 8, 1978, Italian mountaineer Reinhold Messner and Austrian Peter Habeler achieved the first ascent of Mount Everest without the use of supplemental oxygen. Their unprecedented feat challenged prevailing beliefs about human physiological limits at extreme altitudes. Battling fierce winds, subzero temperatures, and dangerously thin air, they completed their alpine-style climb with minimal equipment. The accomplishment demonstrated new possibilities in high-altitude climbing techniques and endurance. Their success inspired generations of climbers to attempt purist ascents in the world’s highest peaks. Following his descent, Messner detailed the expedition in a bestselling book, bringing global attention to high-altitude mountaineering. This milestone remains one of the most celebrated achievements in the history of exploration and adventure sports.
1978
Mount Everest
Reinhold Messner
Peter Habeler
1984day.year
The Soviet Union announces a boycott upon the Summer Olympics at Los Angeles, later joined by 14 other countries.
The Soviet Union announces its boycott of the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympics, joined by other Eastern Bloc countries.
On May 8, 1984, the Soviet Union declared it would boycott the upcoming 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, citing security concerns and alleged anti-Soviet sentiment. Over the following weeks, fourteen allied Eastern Bloc nations joined the boycott, significantly reducing the number of competing countries. The decision was widely viewed as a response to the U.S.-led boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics and reflected deep Cold War tensions. The absence of the Soviet Union and its allies notably impacted events like gymnastics and track and field, reshaping the competitive landscape. Organizers worked to fill the gaps in scheduling, while athletes from boycotting nations were left to watch from home. Despite the political conflict, the Los Angeles Games achieved record revenues and memorable performances from Western athletes. The boycott underscored the enduring intersection of politics and international sports.
Soviet Union
boycott upon the
Summer Olympics at Los Angeles