Did you know
Oswald Spengler is best known for his two-volume work The Decline of the West, published in 1918 and 1922, covering human history.
Notable Deaths on May 8
1936 — Oswald Spengler
German historian and philosopher (born 1880)
May 8 has 128 recorded notable deaths across history, from 535 to 2025. This focused page highlights 20 people with the strongest available profile context.
By thisDay.info Editorial Team · — Wikipedia
Notable Deaths
128 source records
535 – 2025
Today in history
Major events on May 8
See what else happened on this day in history.
- 1788 King Louis XVI of France attempts to impose the reforms of Étienne Charles de Loménie de Brienne by abolishing the parlements. Source
- 1360 The Hundred Years War: the Treaty of Brétigny is drafted between King Edward III of England and King John II of France (the Good). Source
- 1846 Mexican–American War: American forces led by Zachary Taylor defeat a Mexican force north of the Rio Grande in the first major battle of the war. Source
- 1976 The rollercoaster The New Revolution, the first steel coaster with a vertical loop, opens at Six Flags Magic Mountain. Source
Did you know
Dubbed the "Queen of Brazilian Rock", she became one of the most influential figures in the country's popular music.
Did you know
Simon Mann later became a member of the SAS, and on leaving the military, he co-founded Sandline International with fellow ex-Scots Guards colonel Tim Spicer in 1996.
Did you know
Ahmad Sanjar was the Seljuq ruler of Khorasan from 1097 until 1118, when he became the Sultan of the Seljuq Empire, which he ruled until his death in 1157.
Did you know
Avram Davidson's posthumous collection The Avram Davidson Treasury won the Locus Award for Best Collection in 1999.
More major people who died on May 8
Notable people are ranked by substantive profile depth and public notability.
2023
Rita Lee
Brazilian musician and author (born 1947)
Rita Lee Jones de Carvalho, known as Rita Lee, was a Brazilian singer, songwriter, author, actress and television host.
2025
Simon Mann
British military officer and mercenary (born 1952)
Simon Francis Mann was a British officer in the Special Air Service (SAS), and later a mercenary. He trained to be an officer at Sandhurst and was commissioned into the Scots Guards.
1157
Ahmed Sanjar
Seljuk sultan (born 1086)
Ahmad Sanjar was the Seljuq ruler of Khorasan from 1097 until 1118, when he became the Sultan of the Seljuq Empire, which he ruled until his death in 1157.
1993
Avram Davidson
American soldier and author (born 1923)
Avram Davidson was an American writer of fantasy fiction, science fiction, and crime fiction, as well as the author of many stories that do not fit into a genre niche.
615
Pope Boniface IV (born 550)
Pope Boniface IV was the bishop of Rome from 608 to his death on 8 May 615. He was a member of the Benedictine order.
2014
Joseph P. Teasdale
American lawyer and politician, 48th Governor of Missouri (born 1936)
Joseph Patrick Teasdale was an American politician. A Democrat, he served as the 48th governor of Missouri from 1977 to 1981. Teasdale was formerly a prosecutor for Jackson County, Missouri.
1999
Soeman Hs
Indonesian author and educator (born 1904)
Soeman Hasibuan better known by his pen name Soeman Hs, was an Indonesian author recognized for pioneering detective fiction and short story writing in the country's literature.
2019
Sprent Dabwido
President of Nauru from 2011 to 2013 (born 1972)
Sprent Arumogo Dabwido was a Nauruan politician who served as President of Nauru between 2011 and 2013, and was also a weightlifter.
1907
Edmund G. Ross
American soldier and politician, 13th Governor of New Mexico Territory (born 1826)
Edmund Gibson Ross was an American politician who represented Kansas after the American Civil War and was later the governor of New Mexico Territory.
1985
Robert Halperin
American yachtsman (born 1908)
Robert Sherman "Bob" Halperin, nicknamed "Buck", was an American business executive, decorated WWII naval officer and Star class yacht racer, who became an Olympic bronze medalist and Pan American Games gold medalist in…
2006
Iain Macmillan
Scottish photographer and author (born 1938)
Iain Stewart Macmillan was the Scottish photographer famous for taking the cover photograph for the Beatles' album Abbey Road in 1969. He grew up in Scotland, then moved to London to become a professional photographer.
1988
Robert A. Heinlein
American science fiction writer and screenwriter (born 1907)
Robert Anson Heinlein was an American science fiction author, engineer, and naval officer.
2003
Elvira Pagã
Brazilian vedette, singer, and artist (born 1920)
Elvira Olivieri Cozzolino, better known by her stage name Elvira Pagã, was a Brazilian vedette, actress, singer, writer, and painter.
2012
Maurice Sendak
American author and illustrator (born 1928)
Maurice Bernard Sendak was an American author and illustrator of children's books. Born to Polish-Jewish parents, his childhood was impacted by the death of many of his family members during the Holocaust.
1996
Garth Williams
American illustrator (born 1912)
Garth Montgomery Williams was an American artist who came to prominence in the American postwar era as an illustrator of children's books.
1995
Teresa Teng
Taiwanese singer (born 1953)
Teng Li-Chun, also known as Teresa Teng, was a Taiwanese singer, television personality, musician, and philanthropist.
2012
Ampon Tangnoppakul
Thai criminal (born 1948)
Ampon Tangnoppakul, commonly known in Thai as Ah Kong or in English as Uncle SMS, was a Thai national accused of sending four Short Message Service (SMS) messages from his cell phones to Somkiat Khrongwatthanasuk,…
1950
Vital Brazil
Brazilian physician and immunologist (born 1865)
Vital Brazil Mineiro da Campanha, was a Brazilian physician, biomedical scientist and immunologist, known for the discovery of the polyvalent anti-ophidic serum used to treat bites of venomous snakes of the Crotalus,…
1994
George Peppard
American actor and producer (born 1928)
George Peppard was an American actor. He secured a major role as struggling writer Paul Varjak when he starred alongside Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961), and later portrayed a character based on Howard…