What Happened on August 11, 2008

Historical Events

Abhinav Bindra wins men's 10m air rifle at the Beijing Olympics, the first ever individual Olympic gold medal for India, and India's first gold medal in any Olympic event since 1980

Event of Interest

Airbnb is founded by Brian Chesky, Joe Gebbia and Nathan Blecharczyk

Entrepreneur and Co-founder of Airbnb Brian Chesky

Japanese swimmer Kosuke Kitajima repeats 1st leg of his Athens Olympics 100/200m breaststroke double at the Beijing Games winning the 100m in world record 58.91; goes on to win 200m event

World Record

The US 4 x 100m freestyle replay team of Michael Phelps, Garrett Weber-Gale, Cullen Jones & Jason Lezak beats France by 8 seconds to win gold and smash world record at the Beijing Olympics

Events in 2008

Famous Deaths

Don Helms, American steel guitarist (Hank Williams's Drifting Cowboys), dies at 81
Fred Sinowatz, Austrian politician (Chancellor of Austria, 1983-86; Vice-Chancellor, 1981-83; Minister of Education 1971-83), dies at 79
George Furth, American actor and director (Tammy, Good Guys, Dumplings), dies at 75
Günther Schifter, Austrian music journalist and radio host, dies at 84
Sir William "Bill" Cotton, British television producer and executive (Noel Gay TV), dies at 80

Died in 2008 2008 Highlights