3 January 20082008 Campaign WithdrawalJoseph Robinette Biden Jr
Withdraws after the Iowa caucuses.
Historical records for United States of America in 2008, rendered directly from the World History Database and ordered by month, day and event.
Withdraws after the Iowa caucuses.
Democrat Barack Obama and Republican Mike Huckabee are victorious in the Iowa caucuses, the first races of the presidential primary season
Democrat Barack Obama and Republican Mike Huckabee are victorious in the Iowa caucuses, the first races of the presidential primary season
Wins the Republican Iowa caucus at the start of the presidential race
Wins the Iowa Democratic caucus and becomes a leading presidential contender
Democrat Hillary Clinton finishes first in the New Hampshire primary, ahead of Barack Obama and John Edwards
Democrat Hillary Clinton finishes first in the New Hampshire primary, ahead of Barack Obama and John Edwards
Wins the New Hampshire Democratic primary after losing Iowa
Wins the New Hampshire Republican primary and revives his presidential campaign
Bank of America buys struggling Countrywide for $4 billion
Bank of America buys struggling Countrywide for $4 billion
MESSENGER images terrain on Mercury that had never previously been seen by spacecraft during the first flyby.
MESSENGER completes its first Mercury flyby and returns the first close-up observations of the planet in more than thirty years.
Merrill Lynch sub-prime losses top $23 billion
Merrill Lynch sub-prime losses top $23 billion
Bush proposes a $145 billion stimulus package, responding to a crisis in the housing market and rising oil prices, president says a combination of tax cuts for individuals and businesses will "provide a shot in the arm" to the economy
Responding to fears that the US is headed for an imminent recession, stock markets fall drastically in Frankfurt, Mumbai, Hong Kong, Paris, London, and other major cities in Europe and Asia
Dies in New York before the release of The Dark Knight
In response to the plunge in markets around the world, the Federal Reserve bank cuts interest rates by .75%, the largest single-day reduction in the bank's history
The Federal Reserve cuts its target rate after sharp declines in international markets.
In response to the plunge in markets around the world, the Federal Reserve bank cuts interest rates by .75%, the largest single-day reduction in the bank's history
The Bush administration hands out a $146 billion stimulus package that gives rebates of $300-$600 for individuals earning up to $75,000 and to couples with incomes up to $150,000
Wins a major South Carolina Democratic primary victory over Hillary Clinton
Kennedy gave an endorsement to Obama despite appeals by both Clintons not to do so
Endorses Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination
Bush delivers his last State of the Union address
The United States announces that Abu Laith al-Libi, a senior commander of al-Qaeda who recruited and trained operatives, is killed in a missile strike in northwest Pakistan
Among the January 2008 DNC-sanctioned state contests, Obama ties with Hillary Clinton for delegates in the New Hampshire primary and wins more delegates than Clinton in the Iowa, Nevada and South Carolina elections and caucuses
Diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer and undergoes chemotherapy and other treatments at the Stanford University Medical Center
Leads the New York Giants to a Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots
Competes with Hillary Clinton across multiple Super Tuesday Democratic contests
President George W Bush visits Israel and Palestinian Territories for the first time
Signs the Economic Stimulus Act to send tax rebates and business incentives during the downturn
Voyager 2's planetary radio astronomy experiment is switched off to conserve spacecraft power.
John McCain secures the 2008 US Republican Party presidential nomination after winning primary elections in Texas, Vermont, Ohio, and Rhode Island
Secures the Republican presidential nomination after further primary victories
The Fed releases another $200 billion emergency funding. Former bosses of Citigroup and Merrill Lynch face a congressional committee grilling over pay
Bear Stearns is bailed out with emergency funding from JP Morgan and the NY Fed
Bear Stearns receives emergency secured funding after counterparties withdraw financing.
Bear Stearns is bailed out with emergency funding from JP Morgan and the NY Fed
Bear Stearns is sold to JP Morgan Chase for just $240 million under Fed pressure in an emergency rescue takeover
The Federal Reserve supports the Bear Stearns transaction to reduce systemic financial risk.
JPMorgan Chase agrees to acquire Bear Stearns with Federal Reserve assistance.
Bear Stearns is sold to JP Morgan Chase for just $240 million under Fed pressure in an emergency rescue takeover
Tesla begins regular production of the Roadster electric sports car
Swain leads Hubble observations detecting methane in HD 189733b, the first organic molecule identified in an exoplanet atmosphere.
Henry Paulson proposes sweeping reforms to banking controls
Henry Paulson proposes sweeping reforms to banking controls
Proposes a broad redesign of financial regulation after months of credit-market stress
Death of Charlton Heston
JP Morgan profits dive 50 per cent
The California Supreme Court ruling permits same-sex marriages in the state
NASA's Phoenix lander touches down near the Martian north pole
Clinches enough delegates to become the Democratic presidential nominee
Suspends her presidential campaign and endorses Barack Obama
Introduces the iPhone 3G and the App Store model
Releases Tha Carter III under the stage name Lil Wayne
Wins the US Open after an eighteen-hole playoff and sudden-death hole
Helps the Boston Celtics defeat the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals
Directs WALL-E for Pixar, combining animation with environmental themes
MESSENGER images provide strong evidence for ancient volcanic activity on Mercury, including identified volcanic vents.
US home loan giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac lose half their value and appear on the brink of collapse
US home loan giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac lose half their value and appear on the brink of collapse
Signs surveillance legislation updating rules for foreign intelligence collection
US home loan giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac lose half their value and appear on the brink of collapse
Stars as Batman in The Dark Knight, one of the year's major films
Directs The Dark Knight, which becomes a major critical and commercial success
President Bush agrees to back deal to save Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
Wall Street shares tumble as the International Monetary Fund warns the US housing crisis is not over
Signs legislation strengthening federal powers over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
Phoenix confirms water ice in a Martian soil sample
Freddie Mac reports $821 million loss
Death of Isaac Lee Hayes, Jr
Wins his eighth gold medal of the Beijing Olympics
Is introduced as Barack Obama's Democratic running mate.
Is nominated for vice president at the Democratic convention.
Accepts the Democratic presidential nomination before a large convention crowd in Denver
Is named John McCain's Republican running mate
Google releases the Chrome web browser for Windows
Accepts the Republican presidential nomination at the party convention
Announces Treasury support for the housing finance agencies after the conservatorship decision
FHFA announces that Fannie Mae has been placed into federal conservatorship.
FHFA announces that Freddie Mac has been placed into federal conservatorship.
Treasury establishes financial-support agreements for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Begins a widely watched impersonation of Sarah Palin on Saturday Night Live
Publishes The Hunger Games, the first novel in the dystopian young adult series
Lehman Brothers files for bankruptcy after failing to obtain a buyer or government rescue.
Merrill Lynch agrees to be acquired by Bank of America during the market panic.
Bank of America agrees to purchase Merrill Lynch as financial-market turmoil intensifies.
The Federal Reserve authorises emergency credit to prevent the disorderly failure of AIG.
AIG accepts emergency federal lending after severe collateral and liquidity demands.
Treasury announces a temporary guarantee programme for eligible money-market mutual funds.
Proposes a large rescue plan to stabilize banks and purchase troubled financial assets
The FDIC closes Washington Mutual in the largest bank failure in United States history.
JPMorgan Chase purchases most Washington Mutual assets and deposits from the FDIC.
Death of Paul Leonard Newman
Death of Paul Newman
Debates John McCain in the first presidential debate during the financial crisis
A failure in Hubble's Science Instrument Command and Data Handler causes NASA to delay Servicing Mission 4 until a replacement can be flown.
SpaceX's Falcon 1 reaches orbit after earlier failed attempts
The House rejects the first financial rescue bill, triggering another stock market fall
Debates Sarah Palin during the campaign.
Signs the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act authorizing the Troubled Asset Relief Program
Wells Fargo announces an agreement to acquire Wachovia without direct federal assistance.
MESSENGER completes a second close flyby of Mercury and adjusts its solar orbit for eventual capture by the planet.
The Federal Reserve joins other central banks in a coordinated reduction of policy rates.
Releases Single Ladies, one of her defining pop singles
Paulson uses TARP authority to purchase preferred shares in major financial institutions.
Is convicted in a federal corruption case shortly before the election
Leads the Philadelphia Phillies to a World Series championship
Takes command of United States Central Command
Defeats John McCain in the general election with 365 electoral votes to McCain's 173 and becomes the first African American to be elected President of the United States
In his victory speech, delivered before a crowd of hundreds of thousands of his supporters in Chicago's Grant Park, Obama proclaimed that "change has come to America"
Death of John Michael Crichton
Defeats John McCain in the general election with 365 electoral votes to McCain's 173 and becomes the first African American to be elected President of the United States. Barack Obama defeats John McCain to become the 44th President of the United States and the first African American President in US history
Defeats John McCain to become president-elect of the United States
Concedes the presidential election to Barack Obama after losing the Electoral College
California voters approve Proposition 8, restricting marriage to opposite-sex couples
Is elected vice president on Barack Obama's ticket.
Releases Fearless, a major country-pop crossover album
Kalas leads Hubble observations that reveal a visible-light point source moving around Fomalhaut within its debris system.
The United States and Iraq sign an agreement setting a timetable for troop withdrawal
Citigroup receives federal capital support and protection against losses on selected assets.
Stars as Harvey Milk in the biographical drama Milk
The NBER committee announces that the recession began in December 2007.
Receives Kennedy Center Honors with Pete Townshend.
Receives Kennedy Center Honors with Roger Daltrey.
Is arrested on corruption charges involving the vacant Senate seat of Barack Obama
New Horizons begins another scheduled hibernation cycle while continuing its multi-year cruise toward Pluto.
The Federal Reserve lowers the federal funds target range to near zero.
Announces emergency loans for General Motors and Chrysler from financial rescue funds
General Motors receives emergency federal financing through funds authorised under TARP.
Time magazine names Barack Obama as its Person of the Year for his historic candidacy and election, which it described as "the steady march of seemingly impossible accomplishments"
Time magazine names Barack Obama as its Person of the Year for his historic candidacy and election, which it described as "the steady march of seemingly impossible accomplishments"
Publication of "A Mercy"
Directs Changeling, a period drama starring Angelina Jolie.
Directs and stars in Gran Torino, playing Korean War veteran Walt Kowalski.
Directs Gran Torino and Changeling, two major late-career films released in 2008.
Diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor
Publication of "Home"
The National Endowment for the Humanities selects Updike to present the Jefferson Lecture, the US federal Governments highest humanities honor
Voice part in, "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa"
The large Kuiper Belt object 2005 FY9 receives the name Makemake and is recognized as a dwarf planet.
Makes his feature directing debut with Medicine for Melancholy, following two young adults across San Francisco.
MESSENGER measurements show that Mercury possesses a structured and variable exosphere extending far above the planet.
MESSENGER observes an unusually dynamic Mercury magnetosphere driven strongly by changing solar-wind conditions.
Images from MESSENGER's second Mercury flyby fill many gaps in spacecraft coverage and greatly expand the mapped surface.
Co-directs, co-writes and stars in Nights and Weekends, an independent relationship drama.
Publication of "Olive Kitteridge"
Directs The Hurt Locker, following a bomb-disposal team during the Iraq War.
Stars in Tropic Thunder
Writes, "Vicky Cristina Barcelona"
Bennett releases improved WMAP results that strengthen the precision Big Bang model
This page is generated from stored World History Database records matching the exact country and year shown above. Exact duplicate display records are collapsed. Records without a month are listed after the monthly sections. Source provenance varies by record; formal academic citation should be checked against the relevant primary source, archive or specialist historical reference.