Last Updated: August 8, 2026
Today in History – August 8 is remembered for several landmark events in world history, including India’s freedom struggle, major developments during the World Wars, the formation of important international organizations, and significant milestones in sports and science. On this day, the Quit India Resolution was adopted by the Indian National Congress, while the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was founded, making August 8 an important date for both India and the world.
This article covers:
- Major historical events on August 8
- Famous personalities born on August 8
- National and international observances
- Important current affairs and competitive exam facts
Table of Contents
🌟 Top Highlights of August 8
- Quit India Movement Launched (1942): The All India Congress Committee passed the Quit India Resolution in Bombay, prompting Mahatma Gandhi’s “Do or Die” call.
- First UN Charter Ratification (1945): US President Harry S. Truman signed the U.S. instrument of ratification, making the United States the first nation in the world to officially ratify the United Nations Charter..
- Beijing Olympics Opening (2008): The XXIX Summer Olympic Games opened in Beijing, China, at the auspicious time of 08:08:08 PM.
- Birth of Roger Federer (1981): Swiss tennis icon and 20-time Grand Slam champion was born on this day.
- Passing of Dr. Yellapragada Subbarow (1948): The legendary Indian biochemist who pioneered essential antibiotics and cancer drugs passed away.
🗓️ Important Historical Events on August 8
1942 – Quit India Resolution Passed
At the Gowalia Tank Maidan session in Bombay(now Mumbai), the All India Congress Committee passed the historic Quit India Resolution. Mahatma Gandhi delivered his famous “Do or Die” speech, sparking a massive civil disobedience movement against British rule.
1945 – First Official Ratification of the UN Charter
While 50 nations originally drafted and signed the UN Charter in San Francisco on June 26, 1945, the treaty required formal domestic ratification by individual member states to take legal effect. Following a decisive 89–2 vote of approval by the U.S. Senate, President Harry S. Truman signed the U.S. instrument of ratification on August 8, 1945. This historical moment made the United States the very first country in the world to complete the official ratification process, paving the way for the United Nations to formally come into existence later that year.
1945 – Signing of the London Agreement and Charter
The United States, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, and France officially signed the historic London Agreement and Charter. This decree established the International Military Tribunal in Nuremberg, Germany, to prosecute major Nazi leaders. It created the first formal international legal framework for trying war crimes, crimes against peace, and crimes against humanity.
1967 – Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Founded
Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand signed the Bangkok Declaration, establishing the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Today, ASEAN is one of the world’s most influential regional organizations, promoting economic, political, and security cooperation among its member states.
1969 – Gurdial Singh Dhillon Became Speaker of the Lok Sabha
Gurdial Singh Dhillon assumed office as the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, the lower house of India’s Parliament. He is remembered for strengthening parliamentary procedures and democratic traditions.
1974 – U.S. President Richard Nixon Announces Resignation
In the wake of the political fallout from the Watergate scandal, US President Richard Nixon announced his intention to resign. He remains the only US president to resign from office.
1988 – 8888 Uprising in Burma
A series of nationwide pro-democracy marches and protests led by students broke out in Burma (now Myanmar) against military rule, famously named after the date 08-08-88.
2008 – Opening Ceremony of Beijing Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympic Games officially commenced in Beijing, China. The opening ceremony began at 8:08:08 PM local time due to the cultural association of the number 8 with good fortune in China.
Other Major Events
- 1899: American inventor Albert T. Marshall received one of the early patents related to the refrigerator.
- 1908: Wilbur Wright made his first public flight at a racecourse at Le Mans, France.
- 1929: The German airship Graf Zeppelin embarked on its monumental round-the-world flight.
- 1963: The Great Train Robbery took place in Buckinghamshire, England, where robbers stole £2.6 million.
- 1990: Iraq officially annexed Kuwait as its 19th province following an invasion.
🎂 Famous Birthdays on August 8
| Year | Personality | Domain / Notable Achievement |
| 1870 | Chellapilla Venkata Sastry | Iconic Telugu poet, scholar, and member of the famous ‘Tirupati Venkata Kavulu’ duo with Divakarla Tirupati Sastry. |
| 1896 | Baba Sivananda | Centenarian Yoga guru from Uttar Pradesh and Padma Shri awardee. |
| 1901 | Ernest Orlando Lawrence | American physicist who invented the cyclotron and won the 1939 Nobel Prize in Physics. |
| 1921 | Vulimiri Ramalingaswami | World-renowned pathologist, medical researcher, and former Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) |
| 1937 | Dustin Hoffman | Two-time Academy Award-winning American actor known for famous films Rain Man, and Kramer vs. Kramer. |
| 1981 | Roger Federer | Swiss tennis icon, 20-time Grand Slam singles champion, and sports legend. |
📌 Other Notable Birthdays: Telugu playback singer Vakkalanka Sarala (1927), dramatist Modukuri Johnson (1936), and playback singer Kousalya were also born on this day.
🕯️ Notable Death Anniversaries on August 8
- 1948 – Dr. Yellapragada Subbarow: Renowned Indian biochemist who discovered the function of ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate), synthesized the antibiotic tetracycline, and developed the chemotherapy drug methotrexate.
- 1987 – Gurajada Raghava Sarma: Freedom fighter, scholar, and poet from the illustrious family lineage of Mahakavi Gurajada Apparao.
- 1998 – László Szabó: Hungarian chess International Grandmaster and top-tier competitor in world chess tournaments.
- 2005 – Ahmed Deedat: Prominent South African Muslim scholar, public speaker, and author on comparative religion.
📌 Other Demises: Emmy Award-winning American actress best known for her role in the television series Dallas Barbara Bel Geddes (2005), Freedom fighter Suryadevara Rajyalakshmamma (2010), and former Member of Parliament Nandi Ellaiah (2020) passed away on this date.
📢 National & International Days Observed on August 8
- Quit India Movement Day (August Kranti Diwas): Observed annually across India to honor the sacrifices of freedom fighters during the 1942 Quit India struggle.
- International Cat Day: Established in 2002 by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) to promote awareness, protection, and welfare of cats globally.
- International Infinity Day: A day dedicated to celebrating human curiosity, science, and the mathematical concept of infinity (symbolized by ∞, resembling an 8 on its side).
- National Dollar Day (USA): Commemorates the day the US Continental Congress officially established the dollar as the national currency in 1786.
💡Did You Know?
- The Magic of Eight: The 2008 Beijing Olympics began precisely at 08:08:08 PM on August 8, 2008 (08/08/08) because 8 is considered the luckiest number in Chinese culture.
- Unsung Wizard of Medicine: Dr. Yellapragada Subbarow’s medical breakthroughs saved millions of lives, earning him the title “Wizard of Medicine,” though he was never awarded a Nobel Prize.
❓Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Where and when was the Quit India Resolution officially passed?
Ans: On August 8, 1942, at the Gowalia Tank Maidan session in Bombay.
Q2: In which year did the US Congress adopt the dollar as the official currency unit?
Ans: In 1786 (August 8).
Q3: Which Nobel Prize-winning scientist who invented the cyclotron was born on August 8?
Ans: Ernest Orlando Lawrence (Born: August 8, 1901).
Q4: Why did US President Richard Nixon announce his resignation on August 8, 1974?
Ans: Due to his involvement and the political fallout from the Watergate scandal.
Q5: When is the birthday of tennis legend Roger Federer?
Ans: August 8, 1981.
Q6: Which pioneering Indian biochemist responsible for tetracycline synthesis died on August 8?
Ans: Dr. Yellapragada Subbarow (Died: August 8, 1948).
Q7: What is the significance of the opening timing of the 2008 Beijing Olympics?
Ans: It opened on 08/08/2008 at 8:08:08 PM because the number 8 symbolizes good luck and prosperity in Chinese culture.
Q8. Which mathematics-related international observance falls on August 8?
Ans: International Infinity Day.
Q9. Which international animal-related observance is celebrated on August 8?
Ans: International Cat Day.
Q10. Which city hosted the opening ceremony of the 2008 Summer Olympics?
Q11. When was ASEAN established?
Ans: ASEAN was established on 8 August 1967 through the signing of the Bangkok Declaration.