Historical events for
Thursday, 8 October 2026

Juan Perón, former Argentine president and dictator, a central figure in Argentine politics, who influenced several generations with his Peronist movement.

Jesse Jackson, American politician and activist, known for his fight for civil rights and racial equality in the United States.

Chevy Chase, American actor and comedian, famous for his roles in comedy films and for his appearances on the program "Saturday Night Live".

Sigourney Weaver, American actress, known for her roles in science fiction films such as "Alien" and "Avatar".

President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen (b. 1958) is the most powerful figure in the EU. Leading the European executive in her second term, she focuses her agenda on the Green Deal, technological sovereignty, and strengthening common defense, serving as the face of Europe on the global geopolitical stage.

João Baião, Portuguese television presenter and actor, a beloved figure on Portuguese television, recognized for his talent and versatility.

The son of immigrants and a former civil rights lawyer, Sadiq Khan (b. 1970) became a global figurehead as the Mayor of London. A champion of cosmopolitanism and urban sustainability, his leadership of the British capital focuses on the green transition, social housing, and multicultural cohesion.

Founded on October 8, 1891, Lisbon's first veterinary hospital was a pioneering institution in Portugal, dedicated to the treatment of animals and the training of future veterinarians. This institution played an essential role in the development of veterinary medicine in the country.

Adolf Hitler (born April 20, 1889, and died April 30, 1945) was the Nazi dictator of Germany. Directly responsible for the Holocaust and for starting World War II, his totalitarian regime caused tens of millions of deaths, marking humanity's darkest chapter.

On October 8, 1949, an attempted coup took place against the Estado Novo dictatorship in Portugal, led by Admiral José Mendes Cabeçadas. Although the coup failed, this episode reflected growing tensions against Salazar's regime.

On October 8, 1961, Eusébio da Silva Ferreira, the "Black Panther", made his debut for the national football team, scoring a goal against Luxembourg. This match was the beginning of one of the most legendary careers in Portuguese and international football.

On October 8, 1967, Ernesto "Che" Guevara, one of the most influential revolutionary leaders of the 20th century, was captured in Bolivia during a guerrilla campaign.

On October 8, 1984, Maria Branca dos Santos, known as D. Branca, was arrested on charges of fraud. The case, which involved thousands of small investors, became known as the "D. Branca Case" and was one of the biggest financial scandals in Portugal in the 1980s.

Portuguese writer José Saramago receives the Nobel Prize for Literature, becoming the first Portuguese-language author to be awarded the prize.

On October 8, 1999, thousands of people in Lisbon said goodbye to Amália Rodrigues, the "Queen of Fado", in an emotional funeral at the Prazeres cemetery. The singer was one of the most influential ambassadors of Portuguese music, leaving an unparalleled legacy.

On October 8, 2004, the Euromillions draw was integrated into betting in Portugal for the first time, with Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa managing the lottery. Since then, Euromillions has become one of the most popular bets in the country.

The three scientists were awarded for their discoveries about genetic manipulation in mouse stem cells.

World Octopus Day celebrates one of the most fascinating marine creatures, recognized for its intelligence and ability to adapt.

John B. Gurdon and Shinya Yamanaka received the award for discoveries that allowed the reprogramming of mature cells to become pluripotent.

This date aims to promote the importance of collaboration between parents and school, with a view to a more inclusive and participatory education.

Religious celebration dedicated to Saint Pelagia, virgin and martyr, venerated for her courage and faith in Christianity.

Day of veneration of Saint Tais, penitent, who renounced his sins and dedicated his life to faith and charity.

The 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to John Hopfield of Princeton University and Geoffrey Hinton of the University of Toronto for their fundamental contributions to the development of artificial neural networks, essential for machine learning. His discoveries transformed artificial intelligence and are applied today in several areas, such as medical image diagnosis and facial recognition.