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{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2019}} | |||
{{Events by month|2008|prefix=Portal:Current events/}} | {{Events by month|2008|prefix=Portal:Current events/}} | ||
{{ | {{Multiple image | ||
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| image1 = 2008 year image.png | |||
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| footer = From left to right, top to bottom: | |||
*[[2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks|Attacks in Mumbai]] kill 175; | |||
*[[Bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers|the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers]] occurs during the [[2008 financial crisis]]; it is also known as the climax of the crisis; | |||
*the [[Russo-Georgian War]] took place between [[Russia]] and [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]]; | |||
*[[2008 Sichuan earthquake|earthquake in]] [[Sichuan]], [[China]] kills 88,000; | |||
*the [[2008 Summer Olympics]] took place in [[Beijing]], [[China]]; | |||
*[[Cyclone Nargis]] kills 138,000 people in [[Myanmar]]; | |||
*the [[one million voices against FARC]] civic mobilizations in different parts of the world under the slogan {{lang|es|[[Colombia]] soy yo}}; | |||
*the [[Kingston Fossil Plant coal fly ash slurry spill]], a major environmental disaster that occurred in [[Roane County, Tennessee]]; | |||
*the [[2008 Tibetan unrest]], a series of protests and demonstrations against Chinese rule in [[Tibet]]. | |||
}} | |||
{{Year nav|2008}} | {{Year nav|2008}} | ||
{{Year in various calendars|year=2008}} | {{Year in various calendars|year=2008}} | ||
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{{Year article header|2008}} | {{Year article header|2008}} | ||
2008 | 2008 is designated as: | ||
*[[International Year of Languages]]<ref name="Ow0tF" /> | *[[International Year of Languages]]<ref name="Ow0tF" /> | ||
*[[International Year of Planet Earth]]<ref name="UN_ARES60192">{{UN document|docid=A-RES-60-192|type=Resolution|body=General Assembly|session=60|resolution_number=192|accessdate=2008-09-17|date=22 December 2005}}</ref> | *[[International Year of Planet Earth]]<ref name="UN_ARES60192">{{UN document|docid=A-RES-60-192|type=Resolution|body=General Assembly|session=60|resolution_number=192|accessdate=2008-09-17|date=22 December 2005}}</ref> | ||
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The [[Great Recession]], a worldwide recession which began in [[2007]], continued through the entirety of 2008. | The [[Great Recession]], a worldwide recession which began in [[2007]], continued through the entirety of 2008. | ||
{{TOC limit|2}} | {{TOC limit|2}} | ||
== Population == | |||
The [[world population]] on January 1, 2008, was estimated to be 6.801 billion people and increased to 6.888 billion people by January 1, 2009.{{Sfn|UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs|2024}} An estimated 141.8 million births and 54.0 million deaths took place in 2008.{{Sfn|UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs|2024}} The average global [[life expectancy]] was 69.3 years, an increase of 0.3 years from 2007.{{Sfn|UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs|2024}} The estimated number of global refugees decreased from 11.4 million to 10.5 million by the end of the year.{{Sfn|UN High Commissioner for Refugees|2009|p=8}} The largest sources of refugees were Afghanistan with 2.8 million people and Iraq with 1.9 million people.{{Sfn|UN High Commissioner for Refugees|2009|p=9}} | |||
== Conflicts == | |||
There were 37 conflicts in 2008 that resulted in at least 25 fatalities, five of which resulted in at least 1,000 fatalities: the [[Iraqi insurgency (2003–2011)|Iraqi insurgency]], the [[Taliban insurgency]], conflict with the [[Pakistani Taliban]], [[Eelam War IV]] in Sri Lanka, and the [[Somali Civil War]].{{Sfn|Harbom|Wallensteen|2009|pp=577, 579, 583–586}}<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Harbom |first1=Lotta |last2=Wallensteen |first2=Peter |date=2010 |title=Armed Conflicts, 1946-2009 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/20752204 |journal=[[Journal of Peace Research]] |volume=47 |issue=4 |pages=501–509 |doi=10.1177/0022343310376887 |jstor=20752204 |issn=0022-3433}}</ref><!--The 2010 source contains an update increasing the number of conflicts from 36 to 37.--> [[Djiboutian–Eritrean border conflict|A border conflict]] broke out for two days between Djibouti and Eritrea, ending with Eritrean occupation of the disputed area, [[Ras Doumeira]]. This was the first conflict in four years where two sovereign states fought each other directly.{{Sfn|Harbom|Wallensteen|2009|p=579}} The [[Russo-Georgian War]] occurred in August when Georgia engaged in warfare with the breakaway state South Ossetia following a series of skirmishes. Russia backed South Ossetia and sent 10,000 soldiers into the fight, progressing further into Georgia until a ceasefire was established.{{Sfn|Harbom|Wallensteen|2009|pp=580–581}} Two separatist rebel groups escalated conflict in India: [[Dima Halam Daogah]] sought a [[Dimasa people|Dimasa]] state and the [[United National Liberation Front]] sought a [[Manipur]]i state.{{Sfn|Harbom|Wallensteen|2009|p=581}} | |||
Peace talks were held between Uganda and the [[Lord's Resistance Army]] (LRA) to end [[Lord's Resistance Army insurgency|the LRA's insurgency]], but LRA leader [[Joseph Kony]] refused to attend a final peace agreement and government operations against the LRA resumed in December.{{Sfn|Harbom|Wallensteen|2009|pp=580, 582}} Peace talks were also held for the [[Central African Bush War]] and the [[Somali Civil War]], but rebels were unable to reach final agreements in these conflicts. The [[National Forces of Liberation]] resumed its insurgency in Burundi when peace talks collapsed in January, but a ceasefire was established in December. Progress was made toward peace in the [[First Ivorian Civil War]] with preparations to integrate the [[Forces Nouvelles de Côte d'Ivoire]] into the Ivorian military.{{Sfn|Harbom|Wallensteen|2009|p=580}} | |||
== Culture == | |||
The highest-grossing film globally in 2008 was ''[[The Dark Knight]]'', followed by ''[[Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull]]'' and ''[[Kung Fu Panda (film)|Kung Fu Panda]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2008 Worldwide Box Office |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/world/2008/ |website=Box Office Mojo}}</ref> The best-selling album globally in 2008 was ''[[Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends]]'' by [[Coldplay]], followed by ''[[Black Ice (album)|Black Ice]]'' by [[AC/DC]] and ''[[Mamma Mia! The Movie Soundtrack]]''.<ref>{{Cite report |url=https://www.musicaememoria.com/docs/IFPI-top50-2008.pdf |title=Top 50 Global Best Selling Albums for 2008 |date=2008 |publisher=IFPI}}</ref> | |||
== Events == | == Events == | ||
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* [[January 21]] | * [[January 21]] | ||
**Stock markets around the world plunge amid growing fears of a [[Great Recession in the United States|U.S. Great Recession]], fueled by the 2007 [[subprime mortgage crisis]].<ref name="UdyTv" /> | **Stock markets around the world plunge amid growing fears of a [[Great Recession in the United States|U.S. Great Recession]], fueled by the 2007 [[subprime mortgage crisis]].<ref name="UdyTv" /> | ||
**[[Online activist]] group [[Anonymous (hacker group)|Anonymous]] initiates [[Project Chanology]], after a [[News leak|leaked interview]] of [[Tom Cruise]] by the [[Church of Scientology]] is published on [[YouTube]], and the Church of Scientology issued a [[DMCA takedown|"copyright infringement" claim]]. In response, Anonymous sympathizers took to the streets to [[protest]] outside the church (after February 10), while the church's websites and centres were getting [[Denial-of-service attack|DoS attacks]], [[Prank call|phone line nukes]], and [[black fax]]es. | **[[Online activist]] group [[Anonymous (hacker group)|Anonymous]] initiates [[Project Chanology]], after a [[News leak|leaked interview]] of [[Tom Cruise]] by the [[Church of Scientology]] is published on [[YouTube]], and the Church of Scientology issued a [[DMCA takedown|"copyright infringement" claim]]. In response, Anonymous sympathizers took to the streets to [[protest]] outside the church (after February 10), while the church's websites and centres were getting [[Denial-of-service attack|DoS attacks]], [[Prank call|phone line nukes]], and [[black fax]]es.<ref name="muTyR" /><ref name="LwGGz" /> | ||
<!-- Heath Ledger is already listed under *DEATHS* for this date, do not double list him here under *EVENTS* --> | <!-- Heath Ledger is already listed under *DEATHS* for this date, do not double list him here under *EVENTS* --> | ||
* [[January 24]] – A peace deal is signed in [[Goma]], [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]], ending the [[Kivu conflict]].<ref name="cAfgG" /> | * [[January 24]] – A peace deal is signed in [[Goma]], [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]], ending the [[Kivu conflict]].<ref name="cAfgG" /> | ||
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===March=== | ===March=== | ||
* [[March 2]] – [[Venezuela]] and [[Ecuador]] [[2008 Andean diplomatic crisis|move troops to the Colombian border]], following a Colombian raid against [[FARC]] guerrillas inside Ecuadorian territory, in which senior commander [[Raúl Reyes]] is killed.<ref name="2V4dj" /><ref name="WUuhE" /> | * [[March 2]] – [[Venezuela]] and [[Ecuador]] [[2008 Andean diplomatic crisis|move troops to the Colombian border]], following a Colombian raid against [[FARC]] guerrillas inside Ecuadorian territory, in which senior commander [[Raúl Reyes]] is killed.<ref name="2V4dj" /><ref name="WUuhE" /> | ||
* [[March 8]] – [[Barisan Nasional]] loses [[Supermajority|two-thirds majority]], for the first time since [[1969 Malaysian general election|1969]], to opposition during the [[2008 Malaysian general election]] but still retains control of government. The coalition also loses [[State legislative assemblies of Malaysia|majority control]] of five states to the opposition.<ref name="setback">{{cite news |date=2008-03-08 |title=Election setback for Malaysia PM |url= | * [[March 8]] – [[Barisan Nasional]] loses [[Supermajority|two-thirds majority]], for the first time since [[1969 Malaysian general election|1969]], to opposition during the [[2008 Malaysian general election]] but still retains control of government. The coalition also loses [[State legislative assemblies of Malaysia|majority control]] of five states to the opposition.<ref name="setback">{{cite news |date=2008-03-08 |title=Election setback for Malaysia PM |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7284682.stm |access-date=2024-06-05 |work=[[BBC News]]}}</ref> | ||
* [[March 9]] – The first [[European Space Agency]] [[Automated Transfer Vehicle]], a cargo spacecraft for the [[International Space Station]], launches from [[Guiana Space Centre]] in [[French Guiana]].<ref name="zmjBL" /> | * [[March 9]] – The first [[European Space Agency]] [[Automated Transfer Vehicle]], a cargo spacecraft for the [[International Space Station]], launches from [[Guiana Space Centre]] in [[French Guiana]].<ref name="zmjBL" /> | ||
* [[March 10]] – [[2008 Tibetan unrest|Protests in Tibet]] against China's treatment of [[Tibetans]] begin.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2008-03-14 |title=Tibet protests |url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2008/mar/14/1 |access-date=2025-07-23 |work=the Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2008-03-16 |title=Tibetan riots spread outside region |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/16/world/asia/16iht-tibet.1.11134870.html |access-date=2025-07-23 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> | |||
*[[19 March|March 19]] – An [[Energy]] release of a [[Gamma-ray burst]] called the [[GRB 080319B]] is the [[Brightness|brightest]] event ever recorded in the [[Universe]].<ref name="09YRh" /> | *[[19 March|March 19]] – An [[Energy]] release of a [[Gamma-ray burst]] called the [[GRB 080319B]] is the [[Brightness|brightest]] event ever recorded in the [[Universe]].<ref name="09YRh" /> | ||
* [[March 24]] – [[Bhutan]] holds its [[2008 Bhutanese National Assembly election|first-ever general elections]] following the adoption of a new [[Constitution of Bhutan|Constitution]] which changed the country from an [[absolute monarchy]] to a multiparty democracy.<ref name="a339d" /> | * [[March 24]] – [[Bhutan]] holds its [[2008 Bhutanese National Assembly election|first-ever general elections]] following the adoption of a new [[Constitution of Bhutan|Constitution]] which changed the country from an [[absolute monarchy]] to a multiparty democracy.<ref name="a339d" /> | ||
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===April=== | ===April=== | ||
* [[April 29]] – ''[[Grand Theft Auto IV]]'' is released worldwide, selling over 3.6 million units and earning $310 million during the first day, becoming not only the highest grossing video game release of all | * [[April 29]] – ''[[Grand Theft Auto IV]]'' is released worldwide, selling over 3.6 million units and earning $310 million during the first day, becoming not only the highest grossing video game release of all time, but also the highest grossing entertainment product release ever.<ref>{{Cite web |author=I. G. N. Staff |date=2008-05-13 |title=Grand Theft Auto IV Breaks Guinness World Records with Biggest Entertainment Release of All-Time |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/05/13/grand-theft-auto-iv-breaks-guinness-world-records-with-biggest-entertainment-release-of-all-time |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref> | ||
===May=== | ===May=== | ||
* [[May 2]] – ''[[Iron Man (2008 film)|Iron Man]]'' is released in theaters, starting the [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]]. | * [[May 2]] – ''[[Iron Man (2008 film)|Iron Man]]'' is released in theaters, starting the [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]]. | ||
* [[May 3]] – [[Cyclone Nargis]] passes through [[Myanmar]], killing more than 138,000 people.<ref name="n1gHV" /> | * [[May 3]] – [[Cyclone Nargis]] passes through [[Myanmar]], killing more than 138,000 people.<ref name="n1gHV" /> | ||
* [[May 12]] | * [[May 12]] | ||
** An earthquake measuring 7.9 on the [[moment magnitude scale]] [[2008 Sichuan earthquake|strikes Sichuan, China]], killing an estimated 87,000 people.<ref name="qTiUB" /> | |||
** The mummified body of [[Death of Hedviga Golik|Hedviga Golik]] is found in her apartment in [[Zagreb]], [[Croatia]] 42 years after her death.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Panić |first1=Velibor |last2=Vlašić |first2=Boris |date=2008-05-13 |title=Ležala mrtva u stanu 35 godina! |url=https://www.jutarnji.hr/naslovnica/lezala-mrtva-u-stanu-35-godina-3931044 |newspaper=[[Jutarnji list]] |language=hr |archive-date=2025-02-24 |access-date=2025-03-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250224235733/https://www.jutarnji.hr/naslovnica/lezala-mrtva-u-stanu-35-godina-3931044 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Woman's Body Found In Her Apartment 42 Years After She Died |url=https://toronto.citynews.ca/2008/05/16/womans-body-found-in-her-apartment-42-years-after-she-died/ |access-date=2023-11-03 |website=CityNews Toronto |date=May 16, 2008 |archive-date=2023-11-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231103221043/https://toronto.citynews.ca/2008/05/16/womans-body-found-in-her-apartment-42-years-after-she-died/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
* [[May 20]]–[[May 24|24]] – The [[Eurovision Song Contest 2008]] takes place in [[Belgrade]], [[Serbia]], and is won by [[Russia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008|Russian]] entrant [[Dima Bilan]] with the song "[[Believe (Dima Bilan song)|Believe]]". | * [[May 20]]–[[May 24|24]] – The [[Eurovision Song Contest 2008]] takes place in [[Belgrade]], [[Serbia]], and is won by [[Russia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008|Russian]] entrant [[Dima Bilan]] with the song "[[Believe (Dima Bilan song)|Believe]]". | ||
* [[May 21]] | * [[May 21]] | ||
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* [[September 5]] – [[Quentin Bryce]] becomes the first female [[Governor-General of Australia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gg.gov.au/biography-honourable-dame-quentin-bryce-ad-cvo| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210819144932/https://www.gg.gov.au/biography-honourable-dame-quentin-bryce-ad-cvo| archive-date=2021-08-19|title=Biography – The Honourable Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO|website=The Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia|access-date=August 19, 2021}}</ref> | * [[September 5]] – [[Quentin Bryce]] becomes the first female [[Governor-General of Australia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gg.gov.au/biography-honourable-dame-quentin-bryce-ad-cvo| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210819144932/https://www.gg.gov.au/biography-honourable-dame-quentin-bryce-ad-cvo| archive-date=2021-08-19|title=Biography – The Honourable Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO|website=The Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia|access-date=August 19, 2021}}</ref> | ||
* [[September 10]] – The [[proton beam]] is circulated for the first time in the [[Large Hadron Collider]], the [[List of accelerators in particle physics#Hadron colliders|world's largest and highest-energy]] [[particle accelerator]], located at [[CERN]], near [[Geneva]], under the Franco-Swiss border.<ref name="JdQh8" /><ref name="1tfei" /> | * [[September 10]] – The [[proton beam]] is circulated for the first time in the [[Large Hadron Collider]], the [[List of accelerators in particle physics#Hadron colliders|world's largest and highest-energy]] [[particle accelerator]], located at [[CERN]], near [[Geneva]], under the Franco-Swiss border.<ref name="JdQh8" /><ref name="1tfei" /> | ||
* [[September 12]] – A [[2008 Chatsworth train collision|train collision]] occurred in [[Chatsworth, California]], when a [[Metrolink (California)|Metrolink]] train and [[Union Pacific]] local collided head-on. | |||
* [[September 13]] – [[Hurricane Ike]] makes landfall as a category 2 hurricane in [[Texas]], killing 113 and causing over $30 billion in damages. | * [[September 13]] – [[Hurricane Ike]] makes landfall as a category 2 hurricane in [[Texas]], killing 113 and causing over $30 billion in damages. | ||
* [[September 15]] – Stocks fall sharply Monday on a triptych of Wall Street woe: [[Lehman Brothers]]' bankruptcy filing, [[Merrill Lynch]]'s acquisition by [[Bank of America]], and [[American International Group|AIG]]'s unprecedented request for short-term financing from the [[Federal Reserve]].<ref name="VxePx" /> | * [[September 15]] – Stocks fall sharply Monday on a triptych of Wall Street woe: [[Lehman Brothers]]' bankruptcy filing, [[Merrill Lynch]]'s acquisition by [[Bank of America]], and [[American International Group|AIG]]'s unprecedented request for short-term financing from the [[Federal Reserve]].<ref name="VxePx" /> | ||
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* [[October 3]] – [[2008 financial crisis]]: [[President of the United States|U.S. President]] [[George W. Bush]] signs the revised [[Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008|Emergency Economic Stabilization Act]] into law, creating a [[Troubled Asset Relief Program|700 billion dollar Treasury fund]] to purchase failing bank [[asset]]s.<ref name="Associated Press-Raum-2008-10-03" /> | * [[October 3]] – [[2008 financial crisis]]: [[President of the United States|U.S. President]] [[George W. Bush]] signs the revised [[Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008|Emergency Economic Stabilization Act]] into law, creating a [[Troubled Asset Relief Program|700 billion dollar Treasury fund]] to purchase failing bank [[asset]]s.<ref name="Associated Press-Raum-2008-10-03" /> | ||
*[[October 6]] – A controversial [[Peruvian]] tape regarding a [[Norway|Norwegian]] [[oil company]] causes the [[2008 Peru oil scandal]], sparking [[protest]]s which cause [[Jorge del Castillo|Jorge de Castillo]] to [[Resignation|resign from office]].<ref name="s5fxV" /><ref name="4KSLa" /><ref name="1X31j" /><ref name="1xnhk" /> | *[[October 6]] – A controversial [[Peruvian]] tape regarding a [[Norway|Norwegian]] [[oil company]] causes the [[2008 Peru oil scandal]], sparking [[protest]]s which cause [[Jorge del Castillo|Jorge de Castillo]] to [[Resignation|resign from office]].<ref name="s5fxV" /><ref name="4KSLa" /><ref name="1X31j" /><ref name="1xnhk" /> | ||
*October 13 – Microsoft announces the name Windows 7 to the public. | |||
* [[October 21]] – The [[Large Hadron Collider]] (LHC) is officially [[Inauguration|inaugurated]] at [[Geneva]].<ref name="lgOCn" /><ref name="exux6" /><ref name="j2gWy" /><ref name="tnapI" /> | * [[October 21]] – The [[Large Hadron Collider]] (LHC) is officially [[Inauguration|inaugurated]] at [[Geneva]].<ref name="lgOCn" /><ref name="exux6" /><ref name="j2gWy" /><ref name="tnapI" /> | ||
* [[October 22]] – The [[ISRO|Indian Space Research Organisation]] successfully launches the [[Chandrayaan-1]] spacecraft on a [[Exploration of the Moon|lunar exploration]] mission.<ref name="1wmbS" /><ref name="hLQzh" /> | * [[October 22]] – The [[ISRO|Indian Space Research Organisation]] successfully launches the [[Chandrayaan-1]] spacecraft on a [[Exploration of the Moon|lunar exploration]] mission.<ref name="1wmbS" /><ref name="hLQzh" /> | ||
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*[[November 19]] – Claudia Castillo of Spain becomes the first person to have a successful [[trachea]] [[Organ transplant|transplant]] using a [[Tissue engineering|tissue-engineered]] [[Organ (anatomy)|organ]].<ref name="aVL5l" /> | *[[November 19]] – Claudia Castillo of Spain becomes the first person to have a successful [[trachea]] [[Organ transplant|transplant]] using a [[Tissue engineering|tissue-engineered]] [[Organ (anatomy)|organ]].<ref name="aVL5l" /> | ||
* [[November 20]] – The [[Buzzard Coulee meteorite]] falls in [[Saskatchewan]]. Reported to be 5 times brighter than the full moon and is seen in Alberta, Manitoba, and even North Dakota. | * [[November 20]] – The [[Buzzard Coulee meteorite]] falls in [[Saskatchewan]]. Reported to be 5 times brighter than the full moon and is seen in Alberta, Manitoba, and even North Dakota. | ||
* [[November 26]]–[[November 29|29]] – Ten terrorists of the [[Lashkar-e-Taiba]], a Pakistan based terror group, carry out four days of coordinated bombing and shooting [[2008 Mumbai attacks|attacks]] across [[Mumbai]], killing 166 people. One terrorist, [[Ajmal Kasab]], was captured alive and executed in 2012.<ref name="Mumbai" /> | * [[November 26]]–[[November 29|29]] – Ten terrorists of the [[Lashkar-e-Taiba]], a Pakistan-based terror group, carry out four days of coordinated bombing and shooting [[2008 Mumbai attacks|attacks]] across [[Mumbai]], killing 166 people. One terrorist, [[Ajmal Kasab]], was captured alive and executed in 2012.<ref name="Mumbai" /> | ||
* [[November 27]] – [[XL Airways Germany Flight 888T]]. An [[Airbus A320 family|Airbus A320]] due to be redelivered to [[Air New Zealand]] stalls and crashes over [[Mediterranean Sea]] resulting the deaths of 7 | * [[November 27]] – [[XL Airways Germany Flight 888T]]. An [[Airbus A320 family|Airbus A320]] due to be redelivered to [[Air New Zealand]] stalls and crashes over [[Mediterranean Sea]] resulting the deaths of 7 | ||
===December=== | ===December=== | ||
*[[December 6]] – The [[Murder of Alexandros Grigoropulos|police shooting of 15-year-old Alexandros Grigoropulos]] lead to [[2008 Greek riots|riots across Greece]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2008-12-09 |title=Protests as Athens funeral held |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7772645.stm |access-date=2025-11-12 |work=[[BBC News]] |language=en-GB}}</ref> | |||
*[[December 10]] – The [[Channel Islands|Channel Island]] of [[Sark]], a British [[Crown Dependencies|Crown dependency]], holds its [[2008 Sark general election|first fully democratic elections]] under a new constitutional arrangement, becoming the last European territory to abolish [[feudalism]].<ref name="jGiwP" /> | *[[December 10]] – The [[Channel Islands|Channel Island]] of [[Sark]], a British [[Crown Dependencies|Crown dependency]], holds its [[2008 Sark general election|first fully democratic elections]] under a new constitutional arrangement, becoming the last European territory to abolish [[feudalism]].<ref name="jGiwP" /> | ||
*[[December 11]] – [[Bernie Madoff|Bernard Madoff]] is arrested for [[securities fraud]] after he was turned in by his sons for operating the largest [[Ponzi scheme]] in history, later known as the [[Madoff investment scandal]]. | *[[December 11]] – [[Bernie Madoff|Bernard Madoff]] is arrested for [[securities fraud]] after he was turned in by his sons for operating the largest [[Ponzi scheme]] in history, later known as the [[Madoff investment scandal]]. | ||
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=== Date unknown === | === Date unknown === | ||
*[[European Certification and Qualification Association]] is founded.<ref>{{Cite web | | *[[European Certification and Qualification Association]] is founded.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Messnarz |first1=Richard |last2=and |first2=others |title=The Architecture of the ECQA – European Certification and Qualification Association |url=https://www.etcaats.eu/resources/2_chapter1-part2-eu-certificates-architecture-v3a.pdf?i=etcaats |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524160301/https://www.etcaats.eu/resources/2_chapter1-part2-eu-certificates-architecture-v3a.pdf?i=etcaats |archive-date=May 24, 2022 |access-date=22 July 2022 |website=ETCAATS}}</ref> | ||
*[[National Disaster Recovery Fund]], a disaster management fund is established by the [[Government of Jamaica]].<ref name="Diaspora">{{cite web |url= http://jamaicandiaspora.gov.jm/diaspora/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=14&Itemid=28&limit=5&limitstart=5 |title= US-Based Jamaicans Urged to Support National Disaster Recovery Fund |publisher= The Jamaican Diaspora |date= September 2008 |accessdate= April 17, 2009 |url-status= dead |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20110722070709/http://jamaicandiaspora.gov.jm/diaspora/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=14&Itemid=28&limit=5&limitstart=5 |archivedate= July 22, 2011 }}</ref> | *[[National Disaster Recovery Fund]], a disaster management fund is established by the [[Government of Jamaica]].<ref name="Diaspora">{{cite web |url= http://jamaicandiaspora.gov.jm/diaspora/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=14&Itemid=28&limit=5&limitstart=5 |title= US-Based Jamaicans Urged to Support National Disaster Recovery Fund |publisher= The Jamaican Diaspora |date= September 2008 |accessdate= April 17, 2009 |url-status= dead |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20110722070709/http://jamaicandiaspora.gov.jm/diaspora/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=14&Itemid=28&limit=5&limitstart=5 |archivedate= July 22, 2011 }}</ref> | ||
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<ref name="cluster">{{Cite web |title=6. Convention on Cluster Munitions |url=https://treaties.un.org/doc/Publication/MTDSG/Volume%20II/Chapter%20XXVI/XXVI-6.en.pdf |website=United Nations Treaty Collection |access-date=December 21, 2023 |language=EN |archive-date=November 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221121060029/https://treaties.un.org/doc/Publication/MTDSG/Volume%20II/Chapter%20XXVI/XXVI-6.en.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref> | <ref name="cluster">{{Cite web |title=6. Convention on Cluster Munitions |url=https://treaties.un.org/doc/Publication/MTDSG/Volume%20II/Chapter%20XXVI/XXVI-6.en.pdf |website=United Nations Treaty Collection |access-date=December 21, 2023 |language=EN |archive-date=November 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221121060029/https://treaties.un.org/doc/Publication/MTDSG/Volume%20II/Chapter%20XXVI/XXVI-6.en.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
<ref name="bbc march 2010">{{cite news | <ref name="bbc march 2010">{{cite news | ||
| url = | | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8586440.stm | ||
| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211014/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8586440.stm | | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211014/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8586440.stm | ||
| archive-date=2021-10-14 | title = North Korea issues warning over Mount Kumgang tour ban | | archive-date=2021-10-14 | title = North Korea issues warning over Mount Kumgang tour ban | ||
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| archive-date = May 16, 2008 | | archive-date = May 16, 2008 | ||
}}</ref> | }}</ref> | ||
<ref name="UdyTv">{{Cite news | | <ref name="UdyTv">{{Cite news |last1=Landler |first1=Mark |last2=Timmons |first2=Heather |date=January 21, 2008 |title=Stocks Plunge Worldwide on Fears of a U.S. Recession |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/21/business/22stox-web.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211195300/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/21/business/22stox-web.html |archive-date=December 11, 2008 |access-date=November 21, 2008 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> | ||
<ref name="muTyR">{{Cite news | <ref name="muTyR">{{Cite news | ||
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}}{{cbignore}}</ref> | }}{{cbignore}}</ref> | ||
<ref name="cAfgG">{{Cite news | <ref name="cAfgG">{{Cite news | ||
| url = | | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7204898.stm | ||
| title = Eastern Congo peace deal signed | | title = Eastern Congo peace deal signed | ||
| date = January 23, 2008 | | date = January 23, 2008 | ||
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| url-status = live | | url-status = live | ||
}}</ref> | }}</ref> | ||
<ref name="zp1Ze">{{Cite news|url= | <ref name="zp1Ze">{{Cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7302002.stm|title='Deadly clashes' in the Comoros|website=BBC News|date=March 18, 2008|access-date=December 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080319163123/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7302002.stm|archive-date=March 19, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
<ref name="n1gHV">{{Cite news|url= | <ref name="n1gHV">{{Cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7396313.stm|title=Cameron urges aid drops for Burma|website=BBC News|date=May 12, 2008|access-date=December 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228125023/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7396313.stm|archive-date=December 28, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
<ref name="qTiUB">{{Cite news | <ref name="qTiUB">{{Cite news | ||
| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22398684 | | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22398684 | ||
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| url-status = live | | url-status = live | ||
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<ref name="ammdU">{{Cite news|url= | <ref name="ammdU">{{Cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7417896.stm|title=South America nations found union|website=BBC News|date=May 23, 2008|access-date=December 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170123113542/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7417896.stm|archive-date=January 23, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
<ref name="xu7ho">{{Cite news | <ref name="xu7ho">{{Cite news | ||
| url = http://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/the-asian-way-to-settle-disputes | | url = http://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/the-asian-way-to-settle-disputes | ||
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<ref name="VCANV">{{Cite news|url= | <ref name="VCANV">{{Cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7424302.stm|title=Nepal votes to abolish monarchy|website=BBC News|date=May 28, 2008|access-date=December 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107130737/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7424302.stm|archive-date=January 7, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
<ref name="PDVLU">{{Cite news | <ref name="PDVLU">{{Cite news | ||
| url = https://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/k-4/stories/nasa-knows/what-is-the-fermi-telescope-k4.html | | url = https://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/k-4/stories/nasa-knows/what-is-the-fermi-telescope-k4.html | ||
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| url = https://www.ctvnews.ca/harper-apologizes-for-residential-school-abuse-1.301603 | | url = https://www.ctvnews.ca/harper-apologizes-for-residential-school-abuse-1.301603 | ||
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080709021317/http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080610/native_apology_080611/20080611?hub=TopStories | | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080709021317/http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080610/native_apology_080611/20080611?hub=TopStories | ||
| url-status = | | url-status = dead | ||
| archive-date = July 9, 2008 | | archive-date = July 9, 2008 | ||
| title = Harper apologizes for residential school abuse | | title = Harper apologizes for residential school abuse | ||
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}}</ref> | }}</ref> | ||
<ref name="7KMHp">{{Cite news | <ref name="7KMHp">{{Cite news | ||
| url = | | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7518543.stm | ||
| title = Serbia captures fugitive Karadzic | | title = Serbia captures fugitive Karadzic | ||
| website = BBC News | | website = BBC News | ||
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| url-status = live | | url-status = live | ||
}}</ref> | }}</ref> | ||
<ref name="nuVDF">{{Cite news|url= | <ref name="nuVDF">{{Cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7544834.stm|title=Troops stage coup in Mauritania|website=BBC News|date=August 6, 2008|access-date=December 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080807011413/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7544834.stm|archive-date=August 7, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
<ref name="zc8qK">{{Cite news | <ref name="zc8qK">{{Cite news | ||
| url = https://boston.com/bigpicture/2008/08/beijing_2008_its_a_wrap.html | | url = https://boston.com/bigpicture/2008/08/beijing_2008_its_a_wrap.html | ||
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<ref name="3fIg2">{{Cite news | <ref name="3fIg2">{{Cite news | ||
| url = | | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7627135.stm | ||
| title = Dozens killed in Pakistan attack | | title = Dozens killed in Pakistan attack | ||
| work = BBC News | | work = BBC News | ||
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}}</ref> | }}</ref> | ||
<ref name="mJgTp">{{Cite news | <ref name="mJgTp">{{Cite news | ||
| url = | | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7641287.stm | ||
| title = Falcon rocket success for SpaceX | | title = Falcon rocket success for SpaceX | ||
| work = BBC News | | work = BBC News | ||
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| title = Oil contract scandal shakes Peru | | title = Oil contract scandal shakes Peru | ||
| language = en-GB | | language = en-GB | ||
| url = | | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7656500.stm | ||
| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211014/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7656500.stm | | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211014/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7656500.stm | ||
| archive-date=2021-10-14 | | archive-date=2021-10-14 | ||
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| title = Protesters decry Peru corruption | | title = Protesters decry Peru corruption | ||
| language = en-GB | | language = en-GB | ||
| url = | | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7658360.stm | ||
| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211014/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7658360.stm | | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211014/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7658360.stm | ||
| archive-date=2021-10-14 | | archive-date=2021-10-14 | ||
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| title = Oil row brings down Peru cabinet | | title = Oil row brings down Peru cabinet | ||
| language = en-GB | | language = en-GB | ||
| url = | | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7664803.stm | ||
| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211014/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7664803.stm | | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211014/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7664803.stm | ||
| archive-date=2021-10-14 | | archive-date=2021-10-14 | ||
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}}</ref> | }}</ref> | ||
<ref name="j2gWy">{{cite web | <ref name="j2gWy">{{cite web | ||
| url = | | url = https://lhc-first-beam.web.cern.ch/lhc%2Dfirst%2Dbeam/News/FinalLHCsyncTest.html | ||
| title = Final LHC Synchronization Test a Success | | title = Final LHC Synchronization Test a Success | ||
| access-date = July 8, 2011 | | access-date = July 8, 2011 | ||
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}}</ref> | }}</ref> | ||
<ref name="1wmbS">{{Cite news | <ref name="1wmbS">{{Cite news | ||
| url = | | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7679818.stm | ||
| title = India launches first Moon mission | | title = India launches first Moon mission | ||
| date = October 22, 2008 | | date = October 22, 2008 | ||
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}}</ref> | }}</ref> | ||
<ref name="ES3XU">{{cite news | <ref name="ES3XU">{{cite news | ||
| url = | | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7709978.stm | ||
| title = Obama wins historic US election | | title = Obama wins historic US election | ||
| date = November 5, 2008 | | date = November 5, 2008 | ||
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}}</ref> | }}</ref> | ||
<ref name="aVL5l">{{Cite news | <ref name="aVL5l">{{Cite news | ||
| url = | | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7735696.stm | ||
| title = Windpipe transplant breakthrough | | title = Windpipe transplant breakthrough | ||
| work = BBC News | | work = BBC News | ||
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}}</ref> | }}</ref> | ||
<ref name="47sj5">{{cite web | <ref name="47sj5">{{cite web | ||
| url = | | url = https://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0113/p01s04-wome.html | ||
| first = Ilene R. | | first = Ilene R. | ||
| last = Prusher | | last = Prusher | ||
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}} | }} | ||
== Bibliography == | |||
* {{Cite journal |last1=Harbom |first1=Lotta |last2=Wallensteen |first2=Peter |date=2009 |title=Armed Conflicts, 1946–2008 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/25654437 |journal=[[Journal of Peace Research]] |volume=46 |issue=4 |pages=577–587 |doi=10.1177/0022343309339112 |jstor=25654437 |issn=0022-3433}} | |||
* {{Cite report |url=https://population.un.org/wpp/downloads?folder=Standard%20Projections&group=Most%20used |title=World Population Prospects 2024 |date=2024 |publisher=United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs |ref={{harvid|UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs|2024}}}} | |||
* {{Cite report |url=https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/666895?ln=en&v=pdf |title=2008 Global Trends |date=2009 |publisher=United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees |ref={{harvid|UN High Commissioner for Refugees|2009}}}} | |||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
* [ | * [https://www.accuracyproject.org/2008calendar.html 2008 Calendar] at Internet Accuracy Project | ||
{{portal bar|2000s}} | {{portal bar|2000s}} | ||
{{Events by month links}} | {{Events by month links}} | ||
Latest revision as of 17:17, 14 November 2025
<templatestyles src="Events by month/styles.css"/>
Template:Multiple image Template:Year nav Script error: No such module "Year in various calendars". Template:Sidebar with collapsible lists
2008 is designated as:
- International Year of Languages[1]
- International Year of Planet Earth[2]
- International Year of the Potato[3]
- International Year of Sanitation[4]
The Great Recession, a worldwide recession which began in 2007, continued through the entirety of 2008. Template:TOC limit
Population
The world population on January 1, 2008, was estimated to be 6.801 billion people and increased to 6.888 billion people by January 1, 2009.Template:Sfn An estimated 141.8 million births and 54.0 million deaths took place in 2008.Template:Sfn The average global life expectancy was 69.3 years, an increase of 0.3 years from 2007.Template:Sfn The estimated number of global refugees decreased from 11.4 million to 10.5 million by the end of the year.Template:Sfn The largest sources of refugees were Afghanistan with 2.8 million people and Iraq with 1.9 million people.Template:Sfn
Conflicts
There were 37 conflicts in 2008 that resulted in at least 25 fatalities, five of which resulted in at least 1,000 fatalities: the Iraqi insurgency, the Taliban insurgency, conflict with the Pakistani Taliban, Eelam War IV in Sri Lanka, and the Somali Civil War.Template:Sfn[5] A border conflict broke out for two days between Djibouti and Eritrea, ending with Eritrean occupation of the disputed area, Ras Doumeira. This was the first conflict in four years where two sovereign states fought each other directly.Template:Sfn The Russo-Georgian War occurred in August when Georgia engaged in warfare with the breakaway state South Ossetia following a series of skirmishes. Russia backed South Ossetia and sent 10,000 soldiers into the fight, progressing further into Georgia until a ceasefire was established.Template:Sfn Two separatist rebel groups escalated conflict in India: Dima Halam Daogah sought a Dimasa state and the United National Liberation Front sought a Manipuri state.Template:Sfn
Peace talks were held between Uganda and the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) to end the LRA's insurgency, but LRA leader Joseph Kony refused to attend a final peace agreement and government operations against the LRA resumed in December.Template:Sfn Peace talks were also held for the Central African Bush War and the Somali Civil War, but rebels were unable to reach final agreements in these conflicts. The National Forces of Liberation resumed its insurgency in Burundi when peace talks collapsed in January, but a ceasefire was established in December. Progress was made toward peace in the First Ivorian Civil War with preparations to integrate the Forces Nouvelles de Côte d'Ivoire into the Ivorian military.Template:Sfn
Culture
The highest-grossing film globally in 2008 was The Dark Knight, followed by Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and Kung Fu Panda.[6] The best-selling album globally in 2008 was Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends by Coldplay, followed by Black Ice by AC/DC and Mamma Mia! The Movie Soundtrack.[7]
Events
January
- January 1 – Cyprus and Malta adopt the euro currency.[8][9]
- January 14 – At 19:04:39 UTC, the uncrewed MESSENGER space probe is at its closest approach during its first flyby of the planet Mercury.[10]
- January 21
- Stock markets around the world plunge amid growing fears of a U.S. Great Recession, fueled by the 2007 subprime mortgage crisis.[11]
- Online activist group Anonymous initiates Project Chanology, after a leaked interview of Tom Cruise by the Church of Scientology is published on YouTube, and the Church of Scientology issued a "copyright infringement" claim. In response, Anonymous sympathizers took to the streets to protest outside the church (after February 10), while the church's websites and centres were getting DoS attacks, phone line nukes, and black faxes.[12][13]
- January 24 – A peace deal is signed in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo, ending the Kivu conflict.[14]
February
- February 4 – Civic mobilizations in Colombia against FARC, under the name One million voices against FARC.[15]
- February 14 – A Belavia CRJ-100 crash lands at Zvartnots International Airport in Yerevan, Armenia. 7 people are injured.
- February 17 – Kosovo formally declares independence from Serbia, to a mixed response from the international community.[16][17]
- February 18 – WikiLeaks releases allegations of illegal activities carried out by the Cayman Islands branch of Swiss banking corporation Julius Baer; a subsequent lawsuit against WikiLeaks prompts a temporary suspension of the website, but uproar about violations of freedom of speech causes WikiLeaks to be brought back online.[18][19]
March
- March 2 – Venezuela and Ecuador move troops to the Colombian border, following a Colombian raid against FARC guerrillas inside Ecuadorian territory, in which senior commander Raúl Reyes is killed.[20][21]
- March 8 – Barisan Nasional loses two-thirds majority, for the first time since 1969, to opposition during the 2008 Malaysian general election but still retains control of government. The coalition also loses majority control of five states to the opposition.[22]
- March 9 – The first European Space Agency Automated Transfer Vehicle, a cargo spacecraft for the International Space Station, launches from Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana.[23]
- March 10 – Protests in Tibet against China's treatment of Tibetans begin.[24][25]
- March 19 – An Energy release of a Gamma-ray burst called the GRB 080319B is the brightest event ever recorded in the Universe.[26]
- March 24 – Bhutan holds its first-ever general elections following the adoption of a new Constitution which changed the country from an absolute monarchy to a multiparty democracy.[27]
- March 25 – African Union and Comoros forces invade the rebel-held island of Anjouan, returning the island to Comorian control.[28]
April
- April 29 – Grand Theft Auto IV is released worldwide, selling over 3.6 million units and earning $310 million during the first day, becoming not only the highest grossing video game release of all time, but also the highest grossing entertainment product release ever.[29]
May
- May 2 – Iron Man is released in theaters, starting the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
- May 3 – Cyclone Nargis passes through Myanmar, killing more than 138,000 people.[30]
- May 12
- An earthquake measuring 7.9 on the moment magnitude scale strikes Sichuan, China, killing an estimated 87,000 people.[31]
- The mummified body of Hedviga Golik is found in her apartment in Zagreb, Croatia 42 years after her death.[32][33]
- May 20–24 – The Eurovision Song Contest 2008 takes place in Belgrade, Serbia, and is won by Russian entrant Dima Bilan with the song "Believe".
- May 21
- Manchester United wins their third European Cup and second Champions League after they beat Chelsea in the first all-English final in the history of the competition. Manchester United won the match 6–5 on penalties, following a 1–1 draw after extra time.
- The Union of South American Nations, an intergovernmental organization between states in South America, is founded.[34]
- The International Court of Justice awards Middle Rocks to Malaysia and Pedra Branca to Singapore, ending a 29-year territorial dispute between the two countries.[35]
- May 25 – NASA's uncrewed Phoenix spacecraft becomes the first to land on the northern polar region of Mars.[36]
- May 28 – The Legislature Parliament of Nepal votes overwhelmingly in favor of abolishing the country's 240-year-old monarchy, turning the country into a republic.[37]
- May 30 – International Convention on Cluster Munitions is adopted in Dublin.[38]
June
- June 7–29 – Austria and Switzerland jointly host the UEFA Euro 2008 football tournament, which is won by Spain.
- June 11
- The Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope is launched.[39]
- Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper formally apologizes, on behalf of the Canadian government, to the country's First Nations for the Canadian Indian residential school system.[40]
- June 14 – Expo 2008 opens in Zaragoza, Spain, lasting to September 14, with the topic "Water and sustainable development".[41]
- June 14 – A 6.9 magnitude earthquake in Iwate Prefecture, Japan, kills 12 and injures more than 400.[42]
July
- July 1 – Riots erupt in Mongolia in response to allegations of fraud surrounding the 2008 legislative elections.[43]
- July 2 – Íngrid Betancourt and 14 other hostages are rescued from FARC rebels by Colombian security forces.[44]
- July 10 – Apple Inc. launches the App Store with 500 apps available at launch.[45]
- July 11 – South Korea suspends all trips to North Korea's Mount Kumgang after a 53-year-old South Korean tourist is shot and killed by a North Korean sentry.[46]
- July 21 – Radovan Karadžić, the first president of the Republika Srpska, is arrested in Belgrade, Serbia, on allegations of war crimes, following a 12-year-long manhunt.[47]
August
- August 1
- India and United States sign the historic Civil Nuclear deal.
- Eleven mountaineers from international expeditions die on K2, the second-highest mountain on Earth, in the worst single accident in the history of K2 mountaineering.[48]
- August 6 – President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi of Mauritania is deposed in a military coup d'état.[49]
- August 7 – Georgia intervenes against Russian-backed separatists in its South-Ossetia and Abkhazia regions, causing Russia to invade Georgia and spark the Russo-Georgian war, the first major European land war of the 21st century.
- August 8–24 – The 2008 Summer Olympics take place in Beijing, China.[50]
- August 20 – Spanair Flight 5022 crashes at Madrid–Barajas Airport, killing 154 people on board.
September
- September 5 – Quentin Bryce becomes the first female Governor-General of Australia.[51]
- September 10 – The proton beam is circulated for the first time in the Large Hadron Collider, the world's largest and highest-energy particle accelerator, located at CERN, near Geneva, under the Franco-Swiss border.[52][53]
- September 12 – A train collision occurred in Chatsworth, California, when a Metrolink train and Union Pacific local collided head-on.
- September 13 – Hurricane Ike makes landfall as a category 2 hurricane in Texas, killing 113 and causing over $30 billion in damages.
- September 15 – Stocks fall sharply Monday on a triptych of Wall Street woe: Lehman Brothers' bankruptcy filing, Merrill Lynch's acquisition by Bank of America, and AIG's unprecedented request for short-term financing from the Federal Reserve.[54]
- September 20 – A suicide truck bomb explosion destroys the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad, Pakistan, killing at least 54 and injuring 266.[55][56][57]
- September 23 – HTC Dream, the first smartphone powered by Android, was launched.[58][59]
- September 28 – SpaceX Falcon 1 becomes the world's first privately developed space launch vehicle to successfully make orbit.[60][61]
October
- October 3 – 2008 financial crisis: U.S. President George W. Bush signs the revised Emergency Economic Stabilization Act into law, creating a 700 billion dollar Treasury fund to purchase failing bank assets.[62]
- October 6 – A controversial Peruvian tape regarding a Norwegian oil company causes the 2008 Peru oil scandal, sparking protests which cause Jorge de Castillo to resign from office.[63][64][65][66]
- October 13 – Microsoft announces the name Windows 7 to the public.
- October 21 – The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is officially inaugurated at Geneva.[67][68][69][70]
- October 22 – The Indian Space Research Organisation successfully launches the Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft on a lunar exploration mission.[71][72]
- October 30 – Floods affected in Northern Vietnam and Central Vietnam and lasted 5 days causing flooding in many provinces and cities.
- October
November
- November 1 – Satoshi Nakamoto publishes "Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System".[74]
- November 2 – In a race won by Brazilian driver Felipe Massa, British driver Lewis Hamilton ends in 5th place in 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix and becomes the first black driver to win the Formula One World Championship, and the second youngest driver to achieve the feat at the age of 23.
- November 4 – 2008 United States presidential election: Democratic U.S. Senator Barack Obama defeats Republican candidate John McCain and is elected the 44th President of the United States, making him the first African-American to be elected to the office.[75][76][77]
- November 19 – Claudia Castillo of Spain becomes the first person to have a successful trachea transplant using a tissue-engineered organ.[78]
- November 20 – The Buzzard Coulee meteorite falls in Saskatchewan. Reported to be 5 times brighter than the full moon and is seen in Alberta, Manitoba, and even North Dakota.
- November 26–29 – Ten terrorists of the Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan-based terror group, carry out four days of coordinated bombing and shooting attacks across Mumbai, killing 166 people. One terrorist, Ajmal Kasab, was captured alive and executed in 2012.[79]
- November 27 – XL Airways Germany Flight 888T. An Airbus A320 due to be redelivered to Air New Zealand stalls and crashes over Mediterranean Sea resulting the deaths of 7
December
- December 6 – The police shooting of 15-year-old Alexandros Grigoropulos lead to riots across Greece.[80]
- December 10 – The Channel Island of Sark, a British Crown dependency, holds its first fully democratic elections under a new constitutional arrangement, becoming the last European territory to abolish feudalism.[81]
- December 11 – Bernard Madoff is arrested for securities fraud after he was turned in by his sons for operating the largest Ponzi scheme in history, later known as the Madoff investment scandal.
- December 18 – The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda finds Théoneste Bagosora and two other senior Rwandan army officers guilty of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes and sentences them to life imprisonment for their role in the Rwandan genocide.[82]
- December 22 – An ash dike ruptured at a solid waste containment area for a Tennessee Valley Authority coal-fired power plant in Roane County, Tennessee, releasing Template:Convert of coal fly ash slurry in the largest industrial spill in U.S. history.[83]
- December 23 – A military coup d'état deposes the government of Guinea shortly after the death of longtime President Lansana Conté.[84]
- December 27 – Israel invades the Gaza Strip, in response to rockets being fired into Israeli territory by Hamas, and due to weapons being smuggled into the area.[85][86][87]
- December 31 – An extra leap second (23:59:60) is added to end of the year. The last time this occurred was in 2005.
Date unknown
- European Certification and Qualification Association is founded.[88]
- National Disaster Recovery Fund, a disaster management fund is established by the Government of Jamaica.[89]
Births and deaths
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Nobel Prizes
- Chemistry – Martin Chalfie, Osamu Shimomura, and Roger Y. Tsien
- Economics – Paul Krugman
- Literature – J. M. G. Le Clézio
- Peace – Martti Ahtisaari
- Physics – Makoto Kobayashi, Toshihide Maskawa, and Yoichiro Nambu
- Physiology or Medicine – Françoise Barré-Sinoussi, Harald zur Hausen, and Luc Montagnier
New English words
See also
References
Bibliography
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External links
- 2008 Calendar at Internet Accuracy Project
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