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Facts & Events That Happened Today In History

The word "today" was generally written as two words until the 16th Century, then as "to-day" until the early 20th Century.

Fact Checked Human Written Verified Sources Updated Daily

Today is Saturday, November 8, 2025. It’s the 312^th day of the year, and we’re on week 45.

Every day is special for some reason, and today is no different! Here you’ll find some interesting facts & events that happened today in history, as well as The Fact Site’s Fact of the Day!

Learn what special holiday falls on this day and how to celebrate it. You’ll also find out what famous people celebrate their birthdays today!

We update this page daily, so if you have a few minutes spare, check out these events & facts that all help to make today a special day!

Historical Events

What memorable events happened on November 8 in history? Keep reading to find out!

The world is full of things happening – all day, every day. But here are some notable events that happened today in history.

2018

The Camp Fire in California became that state’s deadliest blaze after it killed 88 people and caused 52,000 people to be evacuated.

The disaster also caused $16.5 billion in damages, covering 153,336 acres.

Source

2016

Donald Trump won an election to become the 45th president of the United States of America.

Republican, Trump received 304 electoral votes against Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton who received 227 votes.

George H. W. Bush was elected as the 41st President of the United States of America.

Source

1895

German physicist Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen discovered x-rays.

On this day, Röntgen produced and discovered electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength called Röntgen rays, which we know today as x-rays. Röntgen won a Nobel Prize in 1901 for this discovery.

Source

These are just our highlighted events, but if you'd like to learn more about what happened on this day, you can check out the link below!

Famous Birthdays

Are you celebrating your birthday today? If so, you're not the only one! Here are a few famous people that were also born on this day.

1966

Gordon Ramsay

British Chef Gordon Ramsay was born on November 8, 1966, in Scotland, UK. He is 59 years old today!

1989

SZA

American Singer SZA was born on November 8, 1989, in Missouri, USA. She is 36 years old today!

1968

Parker Posey

American Actress Parker Posey was born on November 8, 1968, in Maryland, USA. She is 57 years old today!

1971

Benjamin King

American Actor Benjamin King was born on November 8, 1971, in Ohio, USA. He is 54 years old today!

1984

Keith Lee

American Wrestler Keith Lee was born on November 8, 1984, in Texas, USA. He is 41 years old today!

Today's Special Holiday

Every day has special holidays that are celebrated throughout the world, and today is no different! Here's one of today's special holidays you can participate in.

United States

Cook Something Bold and Pungent Day

Don’t go thinking you should be cooking anything nasty today, as today is, in fact, about the exact opposite! Today is really about not being afraid to use stronger-smelling ingredients in your cooking. So open your windows and cook something smelly; it’s sure to be extra tasty!

Shower Thoughts

Don't you just love it when you're taking your morning shower, and that little voice in your head asks, "how many balloons would it take to float a human?"

We all have these strange thoughts at random times - and here are our shower thoughts of the day.