April 8
Subject to Britannica's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
Featured Event
© Bizoon/Dreamstime.com
The Venus de Milo is found
The Venus de Milo, one of the most famous ancient statues in the world, was found in pieces on this day in 1820 on the Aegean island of Melos. Those pieces were collected and shipped to France, presented to King Louis XVIII, reconstructed, and put on display in the Louvre. The statue is commonly thought to represent Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of sexual love and beauty, though some have suggested itâs the sea goddess Amphitrite. The arms have never been found. [Read todayâs edition of Today in History > >]
Featured Biography
Featured Biography
AP/Wide World Photos
Ghanaian international civil servant Kofi Annan, the seventh secretary-general of the United Nations (1997â2006) and corecipient with the United Nations of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2001, was born this day in 1938.
Famous Birthdays
More on April 8
© Corbis
Jordan SalkinâGRC/NASA
2024
A total solar eclipse occurred across parts of Mexico, the United States, and Canada, lasting more than four minutes in some places. It was North Americaâs second total solar eclipse in seven years. [How to watch a solar eclipse.]
AP Images
2013
Margaret Thatcher, who was the United Kingdomâs (and Europeâs) first woman prime minister (1979â90) and the only British prime minister in the 20th century to win three consecutive terms, died at age 87. [Test your knowledge of British history.]
M.W.F. TweedieâNHPA/EncyclopĂŠdia Britannica, Inc.
2003
It was reported that springtails (Collembola), long thought to be among the oldest ancestors of insects, did not evolve as insects but rather evolved from a separate group that was formed even before crustaceans and insects diverged. [Sort fact from fiction in our insects and spiders quiz.]
AP Images
1990
Ryan White, who became a national symbol in the United States after he contracted AIDS from a blood transfusion given to treat his hemophilia, died at age 18. [Whatâs the difference between HIV and AIDS?]
Lynch/Frost Productions
1990
The first episode of Twin Peaks aired on television, and it won critical acclaim and a cult following with its unconventional narrative, surreal tone, and eerie characters.
Copyright © Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS); all rights reserved
1979
The final episode of All in the Family aired on CBS; one of American TVâs most successful sitcoms, it was known for its frank and satirical treatment of such topics as race, gender, sex, and bigotry.
Pictorial Parade
1974
Hank Aaron hit his 715th career home run, breaking Babe Ruthâs record, which had stood since 1935. In 1976 Aaron completed his career with 755 home runs. [See where Hank Aaron ranks on our list of the 10 greatest baseball players of all time.]
EncyclopĂŠdia Britannica, Inc.
1973
Pablo Picasso, one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, died in France at age 91. [Take our quiz about artists, painters, and architects.]
© Keystone-FranceâGamma-Rapho/Getty Images
1950
Jawaharlal Nehru of India concluded the Delhi Pact with Liaqat Ali Khan of Pakistan, providing for the safe passage of refugees displaced after the two countries severed economic relations in December 1949. [Sort fact from fiction in our quiz about India.]
© John Phillips/Getty Images
1941
Designer Vivienne Westwoodâwho, with her partner, Malcolm McLaren, extended the influence of the 1970s punk music movement into fashionâwas born in Derbyshire, England. [How much do you know about fashion?]
NARA
1913
The Seventeenth Amendment, which called for the direct election of U.S. senators by voters of the states, was ratified. Adopted during the Progressive era, it represented a rejection of the corruption and inefficiency that had taken hold in legislative elections of U.S. senators in many states. [Test your knowledge of amendments to the U.S. Constitution.]
© George RinhartâCorbis Historical/Getty Images
1912
Sonja Henie, a figure skater who won the world amateur championship for women in 10 consecutive years (1927â36) and three gold medals in the Winter Olympic Games (1928, 1932, and 1936), was born in what is today Oslo, Norway. [How much do you know about figure skating?]
Archiv fĂŒr Kunst und Geschichte, Berlin
1859
Philosopher Edmund Husserl, the founder of phenomenology, was born in what is today Czechia. [Discover unexpected facts about philosophers.]
Image: EncyclopĂŠdia Britannica, Inc.
1838
The Great Western, the earliest regular transatlantic steamer, embarked on its first voyage from Bristol, England, to New York City. [Take our quiz about ships and underwater exploration.]