August 08
Overview
Holidays & Observances
Ceasefire Day(end ofIran–Iraq War)(Iraqi Kurdistan)
Marks the UN-brokered ceasefire that ended the eight-year Iran–Iraq War on August 8, 1988, observed in Iraqi Kurdistan.
ChristianFeast Day:
Altmann of Passau, Cyriacus, Dominic de Guzmán, founder of theDominican Order., Four Crowned Martyrs, Largus, Mary MacKillop, Saint Smaragdus(and companions), Severus of Vienne, August 8 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
A liturgical commemoration of several Christian saints and martyrs observed on August 8.
Father's DayorBā bāDay (爸爸節),Bā Bāis Mandarin for "father" and "8-8", or August 8. (Mongolia,Taiwan)
In Taiwan and Mongolia, August 8 is celebrated as Father's Day (Bā Bà Day), playing on the Mandarin word for father and the date 8-8.
Happiness Happens Day
An unofficial global day encouraging people to embrace and share happiness.
International Cat Day
A global observance celebrating cats and promoting their welfare and adoption.
Namesday of the Queen(Sweden)
In Sweden, August 8 is celebrated as the name day of Queen Silvia according to the Swedish name day calendar.
Nane Nane Day(Tanzania)
A Tanzanian celebration honoring farmers and agricultural achievements held annually on August 8.
Signal Troops Day(Ukraine)
Ukraine's professional holiday honoring the service of military signal troops each August 8.
Altmann of Passau
Feast day honoring Saint Altmann, the 11th-century Bishop of Passau known for monastic reforms.
Events
Spring and Autumn period: Battle of Qianshi: Upon the death of the previous Duke of Qi, Gongsun Wuzhi, Duke Zhuang of Lu sends an army into the Duchy of Qi to install the exiled Qi prince Gongzi Jiu as the new Duke of Qi – but is defeated at Qianshi by Jiu's brother and rival claimant, the newly inaugurated Duke Huan of Qi.
The Battle of Qianshi in 685 BC saw Duke Zhuang of Lu's forces defeated while trying to install a rival claimant on the Qi throne.
Treaty of Meerssen: King Louis the German and his half-brother Charles the Bald partition the Middle Frankish Kingdom into two larger east and west divisions.
The Treaty of Meerssen in 870 split the Middle Frankish Kingdom between King Louis the German and Charles the Bald.
Sweden is defeated by Estonian tribes in the Battle of Lihula.
In 1220, Estonian tribes defeated the Swedish army at the Battle of Lihula, halting Swedish expansion in the region.
Mudéjar revolt: Muslim rebel forces took the Alcázar of Jerez de la Frontera after defeating the Castilian garrison.
In 1264, Muslim rebels captured the Alcázar of Jerez de la Frontera during the Mudéjar revolt against Castilian rule.
King James IV of Scotland marries Margaret Tudor, daughter of King Henry VII of England at Holyrood Abbey in Edinburgh, Scotland.
On August 8, 1503, King James IV of Scotland married Margaret Tudor, forging an alliance with England.
Krishnadeva Raya is crowned Emperor of Vijayanagara at Chittoor.
In 1509, Krishnadeva Raya was crowned emperor of the Vijayanagara Empire at Chittoor, beginning a golden era.
The cornerstone for Tycho Brahe's Uraniborg observatory is laid on the island of Hven.
On August 8, 1576, the foundation stone was laid for Tycho Brahe's Uraniborg observatory on the island of Hven.
John Davis enters Cumberland Sound in search of the Northwest Passage.
In 1585, explorer John Davis entered Cumberland Sound during his search for the Northwest Passage.
Anglo-Spanish War: Battle of Gravelines: The naval engagement ends, ending the Spanish Armada's attempt to invade England.
On August 8, 1588, the Battle of Gravelines saw the defeat of the Spanish Armada, thwarting Spain's invasion of England.
Births
Casper
Ancient Maya ruler of Palenque, an important city in present-day Mexico.
Japanese emperor who reigned from 1087 to 1107.
Saint Dominic
Spanish priest who founded the Order of Preachers, commonly known as the Dominicans.
Rudolf II
Member of the Wittelsbach dynasty who served as Duke of Bavaria.
Matteo Tafuri
Italian alchemist and philosopher known for his contributions to natural magic and early scientific thought.
Conrad Lycosthenes
Renaissance humanist scholar and encyclopedist known for his compilations of history and mythology.
George Clifford
English nobleman and courtier, 3rd Earl of Cumberland, notable for his naval expeditions and patronage.
Cecil Calvert
English nobleman and colonial proprietor who founded the Province of Maryland.
Amalia Catharina
German Baroque poet and composer celebrated for her lyrical and musical works.
Deaths
Trajan
Roman emperor from 98 to 117 AD, known for leading the Roman Empire to its greatest territorial extent and for his extensive public building projects.
Hildegar
Bishop of Cologne who led the diocese during the mid-8th century.
Lothair II
King of Lotharingia from 855 to 869, whose reign was marked by territorial disputes in the Carolingian Empire.
Sŏ Hŭi
Korean politician and diplomat of the Goryeo dynasty, known for negotiating a peaceful settlement with the Khitan Liao in 993.
Almanzor
De facto ruler of the Caliphate of Córdoba from 978 until his death, famed for his military campaigns against Christian kingdoms in Iberia.
Henry of Blois
Bishop of Winchester and papal legate, influential church leader and statesman during the reign of King Stephen.
Henry of Castile the Senator
Spanish infante and nobleman, younger brother of King Alfonso X, who became Senator of Rome and a prominent 13th-century political figure.
Lucas van Leyden
Dutch painter and engraver of the Northern Renaissance, celebrated for his detailed engravings and woodcuts.
Oronce Finé
French mathematician, cartographer, and cosmographer, known for pioneering cartographic projections and instrument design.