1904, 8 May
US Marines land at Tangier, Morocco, to provide protection to the Belgian Legation.
1925, 8 May
Afrikaans becomes the official language of the Union of South Africa following the introduction and passing of a bill by its government.
1943, 8 May - World War II: North Africa
Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham, Commander-in-Chief of the Mediterranean Fleet launches Operation 'Retribution', to prevent Axis forces evacuating North Africa.
1953, 8 May
Following the arrest of Jomo Kenyatta and over a thousand Mau Mau suspects last month, the Mau Mau carry out their biggest raid to date on a fortified police camp.
1964, 8 May
Soviet premier Nikita Sergeyevich Khrushchev arrives in the United Arab Republic to meet with Egyptian premier Gamal Abdel Nasser.
