Major Events
- Jan 13 Henri Farman becomes the first person to fly an observed circuit of more than 1km, winning the Grand Prix d'Aviation
- Jan 24 Lieutenant General Robert Baden-Powell publishes "Scouting for Boys" as a manual for self-instruction in outdoor skills and self-improvement. The book becomes the inspiration for the Scout Movement.
- Feb 1 King Carlos I of Portugal and his heir, Prince Luis Filipe are assassinated by Republican sympathizers in Terreiro do Paco, Lisbon
- May 26 At Masjed Soleyman (مسجد سليمان) in southwest Persia, the first major commercial oil strike in the Middle East is made, rights acquired by the United Kingdom
- Jun 30 A giant fireball, most likely caused by the air burst of a large meteoroid or comet flattens 80 million trees near the Stony Tunguska River in Yeniseysk Governorate, Russia, in the largest impact event in recorded history
- Jul 26 United States Attorney General Charles Joseph Bonaparte issues an order to immediately staff the Office of the Chief Examiner (later renamed the Federal Bureau of Investigation)
- Aug 12 Henry Ford's company builds the first Model T car
- Sep 27 Henry Ford's first Ford Model T automobile leaves the Piquette Plant in Detroit, Michigan
- Oct 1 Henry Ford introduces the Model T car (costs $825)
- Nov 14 Albert Einstein presents his quantum theory of light
- Dec 28 Earthquake strikes Messina in Italy, killing nearly 80,000
- More 1908 Events
1908 in Film & TV
- May 21 1st American horror movie silent film "Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde" premieres in Chicago
1908 in Music
- Dec 3 Edward Elgar's 1st Symphony in A performed by the Hallé Orchestra conducted by Hans Richter, premieres in Manchester, England
1908 in Sport
- Mar 9 Italian football club Inter Milan founded as Foot-Ball Club Internazionale
- Mar 17 Canadian champion Tommy Burns KOs Irish challenger Jem Roche in 1:28s of the 1st round at the Theatre Royal, Dublin; then quickest world heavyweight boxing title fight
Did You Know?
"SOS" (· · · – – – · · ·) distress signal becomes the worldwide standard for help
Nelson Rockefeller
Lyndon B. Johnson
Enver Hoxha
Amon Göth
Adam Clayton Powell Jr.
Baby Face Nelson
Paul Henreid
Ethel Merman
David Lean
Bette Davis
Lita Grey
James Stewart
Louis Jordan
Wes Ferrell
Helen Jacobs
Al López
Donald Bradman
Paul Brown
Bronko NagurskiMore People Born in 1908
Fun Fact About 1908
Katie Mulcahey is arrested for lighting a cigarette, violating the 1-day old "Sullivan Ordinance" banning women from smoking in public, and is fined $5. Appearing before the judge she stated “I’ve got as much right to smoke as you have. I never heard of this new law, and I don’t want to hear about it. No man shall dictate to me.”
Henry Campbell-Bannerman
Grover Cleveland
Henri Becquerel
Butch CassidyMore 1908 Deaths
Articles About 1908
Henri Farman Wins the Grand Prix d'Aviation
Henri Farman crosses the line to win the Grand Prix d'Aviation for the first observed circular flight of 1kmJanuary 13
How Portugal Lost Its Monarchy
There were few tears – and some uncharitable rejoicing – when King Carlos I of Portugal was shot dead on this day, bringing an end to a 270-year-old monarchy.February 1
Was Mystery Blast Caused by Aliens?
A massive mysterious explosion in eastern Siberia that destroyed wildlife and felled a vast number of trees remains a mystery to this day.June 30
Tunguska Fireball
Downed Trees as a result of the Tunguska explosion in Russia in 1908June 30
Ford Puts Millions in the Driving Seat
Henry Ford's Model T rolled off the assembly line on this day in automotive history, bringing affordable motoring to millions.October 1
Famous Weddings in 1908
- May 19 Prime Minister of Canada Louis St. Laurent (26) weds Jeanne Renault
- Jun 3 NHL goaltender Georges Vezina (21) weds Marie Adelaide Stella Morin in Chicoutimi, Canada
- Jun 9 Poet Joyce Kilmer (21) weds author Aline Murray (19)
More Weddings in 1908
H. H. Asquith
Nicholas II
Theodore Roosevelt
Wilhelm II