On This Day: 8 February

8 February in Indian history

• 2010Over 2 miles (3.2 km) of road are buried after a storm in the Hindu Kush mountains of Afghanistan triggers a series of avalanches, killing at least 172 people and trapping over 2,000 others.India

8 February in world history

• 1981Rhodesian Bush War: Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army cadres in Gwelo attacked Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army troops, killing over 60 of them and starting the 1981 Entumbane uprising.
• 1971South Vietnamese ground troops launch an incursion into Laos to try to cut off the Ho Chi Minh trail and stop communist infiltration into the country.
• 1968American civil rights movement: An attack on Black students from South Carolina State University who are protesting racial segregation leaves three dead and 28 injured in Orangeburg, South Carolina.
• 1965After taking evasive action to avoid a mid-air collision just after taking off from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport, Eastern Air Lines Flight 663 crashed into the Atlantic Ocean, killing all 84 people on board.
• 1962Nine protestors are killed at Charonne station, Paris, by French police under the command of ex-Vichy official and Parisian Prefect of Police Maurice Papon.
• 1945World War II: British and Canadian forces commence Operation Veritable to occupy land between the Maas and Rhine rivers.
• 1937Spanish Civil War: Republican forces establish the Interprovincial Council of Santander, Palencia and Burgos in Cantabria.
• 1910William D. Boyce established the Boy Scouts of America, expanding the Scout Movement into the United States.
• 1904Japanese forces launch a surprise attack against Russian-controlled Port Arthur, marking the start of the Russo-Japanese war.
• 1904The Dutch Colonial Army's Marechaussee regiment led by General G.C.E. van Daalen launch a military campaign in the Dutch East Indies' Northern Sumatra region, leading to the deaths of thousands of civilians.
• 1887The Dawes Act is enacted, authorizing the U.S. President to divide Native American tribal land into individual allotments.
• 1879Angered by a controversial umpiring decision, cricket spectators rioted and attacked the England team during a match in Sydney, Australia.
• 1837Richard Mentor Johnson became the only person ever to be elected Vice President of the United States by the Senate.
• 1817An army led by Grand Marshal Las Heras crosses the Andes to join San Martín in the liberation of Chile from Spain.
• 1693The William III and Mary II of England charter the College of William & Mary, establishing what is now the second-oldest university in the United States.
• 1250Seventh Crusade: The Ayyubid Sultanate of Egypt defeated and captured King Louis IX of France at the Battle of Fariskur.
• 421Honorius declared Constantius III to be his co-emperor of the Western Roman Empire.

Born on 8 February

• 1968Gary Coleman, American actor (died 2010)
• 1964Santosh Sivan, Indian director, cinematographer, producer, and actorIndia
• 1963Mohammad Azharuddin, Indian cricketer and politicianIndia
• 1943Valerie Thomas, American scientist and inventor
• 1941Jagjit Singh, Indian singer-songwriter (died 2011)India
• 1884Snowy Baker, Australian boxer, rugby player, and actor (died 1953)

Died on 8 February

• 2016Nida Fazli, Indian poet and songwriter (born 1938)India
• 2013Nevin Scrimshaw, American scientist (born 1918)
• 1971Kanaiyalal Munshi, Indian independence movement activist, politician, writer and educationist (born 1887)India
• 1296Przemysł II of Poland (born 1257)

Frequently asked questions

What happened on 8 February in history?

2010: Over 2 miles (3.2 km) of road are buried after a storm in the Hindu Kush mountains of Afghanistan triggers a series of avalanches, killing at least 172 people and trapping over 2,000 others. 1981: Rhodesian Bush War: Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army cadres in Gwelo attacked Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army troops, killing over 60 of them and starting the 1981 Entumbane uprising. 1971: South Vietnamese ground troops launch an incursion into Laos to try to cut off the Ho Chi Minh trail and stop communist infiltration into the country. 1968: American civil rights movement: An attack on Black students from South Carolina State University who are protesting racial segregation leaves three dead and 28 injured in Orangeburg, South Carolina.

What happened on 8 February in Indian history?

2010: Over 2 miles (3.2 km) of road are buried after a storm in the Hindu Kush mountains of Afghanistan triggers a series of avalanches, killing at least 172 people and trapping over 2,000 others.

Which famous people were born on 8 February?

Gary Coleman, American actor (died 2010) (1968); Santosh Sivan, Indian director, cinematographer, producer, and actor (1964); Mohammad Azharuddin, Indian cricketer and politician (1963); Valerie Thomas, American scientist and inventor (1943).

Which day is observed on 8 February?

Propose Day (India); Parinirvana Day (some Mahayana Buddhism traditions; most celebrate on February 15); Prešeren Day (Slovenia); Military Foundation Day (North Korea).