March 8

Scott Winters March 8, 2026 0 Comments

Discover what happened on March 8 in history, along with notable celebrity birthdays and fun Days of the Year to celebrate.

What Happened on March 8 in History?

Important events on this day include the founding of the New York Stock Exchange, the arrival of the first U.S. combat troops in Vietnam, the debut of MTV’s Beavis and Butt-head, and the mysterious disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370.

MARCH 8 – TODAY IN HISTORY:

1817 – The New York Stock Exchange was founded.

1855 – A train passed over the first railway suspension bridge at Niagara Falls, NY.

1862 – The Confederate ironclad “Merrimack” was launched.

1887 – Everett Horton patented the telescopic fishing rod.

1894 – A dog license law was enacted in the state of New York. It was the first animal control law in the U.S.

1936 – The Daytona Beach Road Course held its first oval stock car race.

1945 – Phyllis Mae Daley received a commission in the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps. She later became the first African American nurse to serve duty in World War II.

1946 – In New York, NY, the “Journal American” became the first commercial business to receive a helicopter license.

1948 – The Supreme Court ruled that religious instruction in public schools was unconstitutional.

1959 – Groucho, Chico, and Harpo made their final Marx Brothers TV appearance together.

1965 – The first U.S. combat troops arrived in Vietnam. The U.S. landed about 3,500 Marines in South Vietnam.

1979 – Philips demonstrated the Compact Disc publicly for the first time.

1985 – The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reported that 407,700 Americans were millionaires. That was more than double the total from just five years prior.

1991 – The movie “New Jack City” premiered, starring Wesley Snipes.

1993 – “Beavis and Butthead” made its series debut on MTV. The series ran for seven seasons, producing 200 episodes and spawning the 1996 feature film “Beavis and Butt-head Do America”.

1994 – People in southwest Michigan reported seeing strange lights in the sky south of Holland, MI. The lights were red, white, blue and green. Some reports described them as being like Christmas lights. The lights appeared in a diamond or triangular formation. There were reports of the objects showing up on radar but the sightings have never been explained. Read more about it here.

1998 – Surgeons in China removed two of a 32-year-old farmer’s three tongues to allow him to speak and eat normally for the first time in 20 years. The man had grown a second tongue at age five and a third by age 12.

1999 – The Supreme Court upheld the conviction of Timothy McVeigh for the 1995 bombing of a federal building in Oklahoma City, OK.

2001 – The U.S. House of Representatives voted for an across-the-board tax cut of nearly $1 trillion over the next decade.

2009 – The last of the Circuit City stores closed their doors.

2014 – Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, carrying a total of 239 people, disappeared en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing

2017 – High winds blew through Michigan, with some wind gusts near 70 mph, blowing down trees and power lines. Consumers Energy reported over 350,000 electric outages in their service area. The storm took down over 9,000 wires and broke more than 1,300 power poles across the state. Many customers were without power for several days.

2019 – The movie “Captain Marvel” was released, starring Brie Larson in the lead role. The movie made over $1.1 billion worldwide. It was the first superhero movie with a woman in the starring role to make over a billion dollars.

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS ON MARCH 8:

John McPhee – 95 years old (1931) – Author and educator

George Coleman – 91 years old (1935) – Saxophonist, composer, and bandleader

Sue Ane Langdon – 90 years old (1936) – Actress and singer

Carole Bayer Sager – 82 years old (1944) – Singer-songwriter

Micky Dolenz – 81 years old (1945) – Singer-songwriter and actor

Peggy March – 78 years old (1948) – Singer-songwriter

Dianne Walker – 75 years old (1951) – Tap dancer

Jim Rice – 73 years old (1953) – Baseball player, coach, and sportscaster

Steve James – 72 years old (1954) – Documentary filmmaker

David Malpass – 70 years old (1956) – Economist and government official

Billy Childs – 69 years old (1957) – Pianist and composer

Lester Holt – 67 years old (1959) – Journalist

Aidan Quinn – 67 years old (1959) – Actor

Buck Williams – 66 years old (1960) – Basketball player and coach

Camryn Manheim – 65 years old (1961) – Actress

Leon Robinson – 64 years old (1962) – Actor

Kenny Smith – 61 years old (1965) – Basketball player and sportscaster

Shawn Mullins – 58 years old (1968) – Singer-songwriter

Jason Elam – 56 years old (1970) – Football player

Andrea Parker – 56 years old (1970) – Actress

Chris Clark – 50 years old (1976) – Ice hockey player

Freddie Prinze Jr. – 50 years old (1976) – Actor, producer, and screenwriter

Hines Ward – 50 years old (1976) – Korean-American football player

Nick Zano – 48 years old (1978) – Actor

Keemstar – 44 years old (1982) – YouTuber

Kat Von D – 44 years old (1982) – Tattoo artist and model

Mark Worrell – 43 years old (1983) – Baseball player

Chad Gable – 40 years old (1986) – Wrestler

Thomas Morstead – 40 years old (1986) – Football player

Milana Vayntrub – 39 years old (1987) – Uzbekistani-American actress and comedian

Benny Blanco – 38 years old (1988) – Record producer

Tommy Pham – 38 years old (1988) – Baseball player

Robbie Hummel – 37 years old (1989) – Basketball player and sportscaster

Kristinia DeBarge – 36 years old (1990) – Singer-songwriter and actress

Brandon Kozun – 36 years old (1990) – American-Canadian ice hockey player

Kevin Zeitler – 36 years old (1990) – Football player

Isaiah Whitehead – 31 years old (1995) – Basketball player

Kyle Allen – 30 years old (1996) – Football player

Montana Jordan – 23 years old (2003) – Actor

DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR MARCH 8:

International Women’s Collaboration Brew Day: International Women’s Collaboration Brew Day brings women brewers and homebrewers together for a shared brew. Volunteers and professionals blend their ideas around a chosen theme. They craft beers in local spaces and larger breweries. They donate part of every pint to women’s causes. Each brew turns a simple gathering into...
Daylight Saving Day: Daylight Saving Day marks the moment Daylight Saving Time (DST) wraps up, and clocks return to standard time. For people who observe the clock change, it is the official permission slip to reclaim an hour of sleep and to notice, sometimes with a little surprise, how quickly daylight can shift...
I Am Day: Today’s fast-paced world can make it oddly difficult to remember a simple truth: a person’s worth is not earned by staying busy, pleasing everyone, or keeping a perfect life spreadsheet. I Am Day is a cheerful nudge to pause, get grounded, and practice saying who a person is, on purpose...
National Dry Shampoo Day: A quick-fix secret weapon for those "just rolled out of bed" hair days, making you feel fresh and confident in seconds.
National Biobased Products Day: National Biobased Products Day celebrates a quietly radical idea: plenty of everyday goods do not have to start as petroleum pulled from the ground. They can begin as plants, forestry materials, and even marine resources, then be transformed into cleaners, inks, lubricants, packaging, and building materials that fit smoothly into...
National Proofreading Day: Making sure every 'i' is dotted and 't' is crossed in words, because sometimes, the smallest details make the biggest difference.
Be Nasty Day: It's important to prioritize your own needs and boundaries. Trust in yourself and your decisions, and let go of the need to please everyone.
National Oregon Day: Have you ever wondered what makes the Beaver State so remarkable? National Oregon day is the best time to discover why. It’s celebrated annually, honoring Oregon’s history and culture. It’s also a good time to learn more about Oregon's natural beauty - from the western Cascade Mountains to the Pacific. History...
National Retro Video Game Day: Did you know there's a whole day dedicated to celebrating the charm of old-school video games? Every year on this day, gaming enthusiasts across the United States dive into the pixelated worlds of their childhood favorites on National Retro Video Game Day! How to Celebrate National Retro Video Game Day Here are...
National Peanut Cluster Day: Candy aisle treasures, with the perfect blend of nutty and sweet, a delightful snack for those craving a bit of delight.
Check Your Batteries Day: Check Your Batteries Day reminds us to check and change the batteries in our household devices. Why, you may wonder? Well, it's not just about keeping your remote controls working; it's about safety and preparedness. How to Celebrate Check Your Batteries Day Celebrating Check Your Batteries Day can be both fun and...
International Women’s Day: Commemorating achievements in the ongoing struggle for gender equality, acknowledging progress while recognizing the road ahead.
National Groundwater Awareness Week: A vital resource, groundwater is a hidden treasure beneath our feet. Its protection is crucial for our future and the planet's.
PI Week: Pi Week brings math to life in a way that feels playful and unexpected. It centers around the number π, the one that starts with 3.14 and helps explain circles. But this week isn’t just about numbers. It pulls in kids, parents, teachers, and even scientists. In schools, students dive into...
Make Mine Chocolate: "Make Mine Chocolate" is a lively campaign urging people to think twice before giving live rabbits as Easter gifts. The campaign encourages people to opt for chocolate bunnies instead. This approach helps spread the message of responsible pet ownership while offering a sweet alternative that won't end up in shelters...
World Glaucoma Week: Learning about eye health highlights the silent threat to vision, encouraging proactive care and awareness.
Sleep Awareness Week: A good night's sleep is a vital component of a healthy lifestyle — proper sleeping habits can be beneficial in improving overall health.
Women in Aviation Week: Women in Aviation Week celebrates the achievements of women in the aviation industry. This event highlights the vital role women play in aviation, both historically and in modern times. By showcasing the accomplishments of female pilots, engineers, and other aviation professionals, it aims to inspire future generations of girls to...
British Pie Week: A culinary tradition cherished across the British Isles, these savory delights encase rich fillings, embodying a heritage of comfort and satisfaction.
Universal Women’s Week: Every woman has the right to equal pay, reproductive rights, and freedom from violence. Let's empower women and create a more just society.
Girl Scout Week: Girl Scout Week is a vibrant celebration that brings together Girl Scout members, alumni, and supporters. This special week kicks off with Girl Scout Sunday and wraps up with Girl Scout Sabbath, featuring daily themes that highlight different aspects of the Girl Scout experience. Activities include wearing Girl Scout uniforms...
Campfire USA Birthday Week: Campfire USA Birthday Week is a celebration of youth empowerment, outdoor learning, and community spirit. It’s a time when Camp Fire councils across the country come together to recognize the growth and contributions of young people involved in the organization. Through various activities like outdoor adventures, community service, and small-group...
Catholic Sisters Week: Catholic Sisters Week is a vibrant celebration honoring the contributions of religious women. This special week brings attention to the spirituality, mission, and community-building efforts of Catholic sisters who work in various areas, including education, healthcare, and social justice. Communities come together to acknowledge the sisters' unwavering commitment and impact...
National Bubble Gum Week: National Bubble Gum Week is a lively celebration that brings joy through the simple act of blowing bubbles. During this week, people indulge in the fun and creativity that bubble gum offers. Bubble gum, with its sugary sweetness and colorful appeal, has a way of bringing out smiles and reminding us...
National Green Week: National Green Week is an exciting initiative that brings attention to the importance of environmental sustainability. Schools and organizations across the country use this week to engage students in activities that promote greener living. The event aims to inspire young minds to adopt eco-friendly habits that can make a lasting...
Ramadan: During this holy month, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, focusing on spiritual reflection and community. Ramadan is a time for self-improvement and bringing people together in celebration of faith.