August 8, 2008: Beijing Olympics open

On this day in 2008, at 8:08:08 p.m. local time on 8/8, the opening ceremonies for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad began in Beijing, China.

The number 8 is auspicious in Chinese culture, as in many dialects it sounds similar to the word for “fortune” or “wealth”. Stateside, the same date saw overwhelming demands for weddings in places, like San Francisco, with large Chinese populations.

Several foreign airlines use one or more of the number 8 in their routes to and from China, including United, KLM, and British Airways. Items with several numbers 8 often yield big bucks when sold on the secondary market.

Conversely, the number 4 is considered bad luck, as it sounds similar to “death”.

Image: U.S. Department of Defense, fireworks at the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing Olympics