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Famous Birthdays on May 8

May 7May 9

14 historically significant individuals born on May 8. May 8 is the birth date of several notable historical figures, each making contributions in various fields. Henry Dunant, born in 1828, founded the Red Cross and was the first recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. Harry S. Truman, born in 1884, became the President of the United States. In 1899, economist Friedrich Hayek was born. This date also sees the birth of acclaimed Italian film director Roberto Rossellini in 1906 and former Tanzanian President Ali Hassan Mwinyi in 1925.

Total Born
14
Countries
10
Top Century
20th· 8
Top Field
scientist
2 individuals

Headline Figures

scientist
HH

H. Robert Horvitz

1947 – Present

Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (2002)

scientist
André Lwoff

André Lwoff

1902 – 1994

Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1965)

economist
Friedrich Hayek

Friedrich Hayek

1899 – 1992

Austrian-British economist who won the 1974 Nobel Prize in Economics for his work on market processes and critique of central economic planning.

Birth Distribution by Century

20th (8)
19th (3)
13th C.20th C.

20th Century

8
HH
H. Robert Horvitz
scientist
Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (2002)
André Lwoff
André Lwoff
scientist
Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1965)
Naomi Klein
Naomi Klein
climate activistdocumentary filmmaker
Canadian author and activist known for her critiques of globalization and capitalism in books like No Logo and The Shock Doctrine.
Meles Zenawi
Meles Zenawi
military personnelpolitician
Ethiopian politician who served as Prime Minister from 1995 until his death in 2012, leading the country's economic transformation and development.
Roberto Rossellini
Roberto Rossellini
directorfilm producer
Italian film director and pioneer of neorealism who created influential works like 'Rome, Open City' and 'Bicycle Thieves' in post-war cinema.
Ali Hassan Mwinyi
Ali Hassan Mwinyi
lawyerminister
Second President of Tanzania (1985-1995) who introduced multi-party democracy and initiated economic reforms that transitioned the country from socialism to a market economy.
Enrique Iglesias
Enrique Iglesias
manufacturermodel
Spanish-born Latin pop singer who became one of the best-selling Latin music artists worldwide with hits like "Bailamos" and "Hero."
Kalkidan Gezahegne
Kalkidan Gezahegne
long-distance runnermiddle-distance runner
Ethiopian distance runner who won the 1500m bronze medal at the 2013 World Championships and competed in multiple Olympic Games.

19th Century

3
Friedrich Hayek
Friedrich Hayek
economisthistorian
Austrian-British economist who won the 1974 Nobel Prize in Economics for his work on market processes and critique of central economic planning.
Henry Dunant
Henry Dunant
entrepreneurfounder
Humanitarian who founded the International Red Cross after witnessing the Battle of Solferino and became the first Nobel Peace Prize recipient in 1901.
Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman
businesspersondiarist
President of the United States from 1945 to 1953; politician (1884–1972)

18th Century

1
António José da Silva
António José da Silva
composerjurist
Brazilian dramatist

16th Century

1
Francis Quarles
Francis Quarles
poetwriter
English poet

13th Century

1
Magnus VI of Norway
Magnus VI of Norway
monarch
King of Norway (1238–1280)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the most famous person born on May 8?
Harry S. Truman, born on May 8, 1884, was the 33rd President of the United States. He led the country during the final months of World War II and decided to use atomic weapons against Japan.
What Nobel Prize winner was born on May 8?
Henry Dunant, born on May 8, 1828, won the first Nobel Peace Prize in 1901 for founding the International Committee of the Red Cross. He played a key role in establishing the Geneva Conventions for humanitarian treatment during wartime.
Are there any famous economists born on May 8?
Friedrich Hayek, born on May 8, 1899, was an Austrian-British economist and philosopher who won the Nobel Prize in Economics in 1974. He is known for his work on free market capitalism and his opposition to central economic planning.