What Happened on April 8?

April 8 is Draw a Bird Day — a worldwide art tradition born when a British girl's bird sketches cheered her injured uncle — on the same date Hank Aaron hit his record-breaking 715th home run, the 17th Amendment gave Americans direct Senate elections, and the Venus de Milo was unearthed in Greece.

• 1820 — The Venus de Milo statue is discovered on the Greek island of Milos

  A farmer on the Aegean island of Milos unearthed the ancient marble statue known as Venus de Milo on April 8, 1820 — now one of the Louvre Museum's most famous artworks. Read the full story →

• 1913 — The 17th Amendment is ratified, establishing direct election of U.S. senators

  On April 8, 1913, Connecticut's approval gave the required thirty-sixth state vote to ratify the 17th Amendment — letting voters choose senators directly instead of state legislatures picking them. Read the full story →

• 1935 — Congress approves the Emergency Relief Appropriation Act, funding the WPA

  On April 8, 1935, Congress passed a $4.8 billion relief bill creating the Works Progress Administration — putting millions of unemployed Americans to work during the Great Depression. Read the full story →

• 1943 — Draw a Bird Day tradition begins in a wartime English hospital

  During World War II, seven-year-old Dorie Cooper cheered her injured uncle with bird sketches — a kindness that grew into Draw a Bird Day every April 8. Read the full story →

• 1974 — Hank Aaron hits his 715th home run, breaking Babe Ruth's record

  On April 8, 1974, Atlanta Braves slugger Hank Aaron hit home run number 715 off Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Al Downing — surpassing Babe Ruth's long-standing record amid national attention and racist threats. Read the full story →

Famous birthdays

Kofi Annan (1938–2018) · Betty Ford (1918–2011) · Robin Wright (1966) · Sonja Henie (1912–1969)

Days & observances

Draw a Bird Day · National All Is Ours Day · National Zoo Lovers Day · International Romani Day