Events for December 08

December 8, 1939

Sinéad O'Connor, Irish Singer, born

Sinéad Marie Bernadette O’Connor (8 December 1966 – 26 July 2023) was an Irish singer, songwriter, and activist. Her debut studio album, The Lion and the Cobra, was released in 1987 and achieved international chart success. Her 1990 album, I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got, was her biggest commercial success, selling over seven million copies worldwide. Its lead single, “Nothing Compares 2 U”, was honoured as the top world single of the year at the Billboard Music Awards.

December 8, 1939

Four senior IRA men executed by the Provisional Government are executed without trial

On 7 December 1922, Hales was killed by anti-Treaty IRA men as he left the Dáil in Dublin. Another TD, Pádraic Ó Máille, was also shot and badly wounded in the incident. His killing was in reprisal for the Free State’s execution of anti-treaty prisoners.

December 8, 1896

Isabella Maria Susan Tod, suffragette, died in Belfast

Isabella Maria Susan Tod (18 May 1836 – 8 December 1896) was born in Edinburh, was a Scottish-born campaigner for women’s civil and political equality, active in the north of Ireland.

December 8, 1542

Mary Stuart Queen of Scots born

Mary Stuart, (8 December 1542 – 8 February 1587), also known as Mary, Queen of Scots, was born on December 08, 1542. She was born at Linlithgow Palace in Scotland to James V of Scotland and his French wife, Mary of Guise. Mary Stuart became one of the most famous and tragic figures in Scottish and Tudor history. She was also known as Mary Stuart or Mary I of Scotland, was Queen of Scotland from 14 December 1542 until her forced abdication in 1567.