Europa
Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), 1945
The most significant event in European history on 8 May is Victory in Europe Day. On this day in 1945, Germany’s unconditional surrender was formally accepted by the Allies, marking the end of World War II in Europe. Celebrations erupted across the continent as the news spread, with public holidays and festivities in countries like France and the UK. In France, 8 May became a national holiday and is still commemorated as the day of liberation from Nazi occupation. In Germany, the day is observed to remember those who resisted Nazism and to reflect on the consequences of the war.
Commemoration and Differences Across Europe
- In Western Europe, 8 May is widely celebrated as the day World War II ended in Europe.
- In Russia and several former Soviet states, the victory is marked on 9 May due to the time difference at the moment of signing the surrender.
- Poland shifted its official commemoration from 9 May to 8 May in 2015, aligning with Western European tradition.
Other Notable Events on 8 May
- 1902: The eruption of Mount Pelée on Martinique destroyed the town of Saint-Pierre, killing over 30,000 people.
- 1950: The day before, on 9 May, French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman presented the Schuman Plan, which laid the groundwork for European integration and is now celebrated as Europe Day by the European Union.
America
Battle of Palo Alto (1846)
- On May 8, 1846, General Zachary Taylor led U.S. forces to victory over the Mexican army at the Battle of Palo Alto, the first major battle of the Mexican-American War. This victory helped secure the newly annexed state of Texas and led to the U.S. declaration of war against Mexico days later.
Coca-Cola Invented (1886)
- Dr. John Styth Pemberton, an Atlanta pharmacist, invented Coca-Cola on May 8, 1886. He created the original syrup in his backyard, intending it as a patent medicine. Coca-Cola would become one of the world’s most recognized brands.
Mother’s Day Established (1914)
- On May 8, 1914, the U.S. Congress passed a resolution designating the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day, a tradition that continues today.
World War II: Victory in Europe Day (1945)
- May 8, 1945, marked the official end of World War II in Europe, known as Victory in Europe Day (VE Day). Celebrations took place across the United States as Germany’s surrender was announced.
Other Notable Events
- 1794: The United States Post Office was established.
- 1919: The U.S. Navy’s first transatlantic flight began with three Curtiss NC flying boats.
- 1942: The Battle of the Coral Sea began, marking Japan’s first major defeat in the Pacific during World War II.
Asia
World War II Context
- On May 8, 1945, Nazi Germany surrendered, ending World War II in Europe. However, the war in Asia continued, with Japan remaining the last major Axis power still fighting.
- The conflict in Asia only ended months later, on September 2, 1945, when Japan formally surrendered aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. The period between May and September 1945 saw significant events, including the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the Soviet Union’s declaration of war on Japan.
India
- On May 8, 1933, Mahatma Gandhi began a 21-day fast of self-purification, launching a campaign to support the Harijan (Dalit) movement.
- On May 8, 1901, a British commission reported that 1,250,000 Indians had died after a severe drought lasting since 1899.
Other Asian Events
- On May 8, 1997, China Southern Airlines Flight 3456 crashed, resulting in 35 fatalities.
Africa
South Africa Adopts New Constitution (1996)
- On May 8, 1996, South Africa took a historic step away from apartheid by adopting a new constitution that guaranteed equal rights for all citizens, regardless of race. This constitution is a cornerstone of South Africa’s democracy and marked a major advance in the country’s transition to equality and justice.
World Health Organization Declares Smallpox Eradicated (1980)
- On May 8, 1980, the World Health Organization officially announced the global eradication of smallpox. This was a landmark achievement in public health, with significant impact in Africa, where smallpox had caused widespread suffering.
World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day
- May 8 is observed internationally, including across Africa, as World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day. The day honors humanitarian efforts and the birth of Henry Dunant, founder of the Red Cross.
Other Historical Context
- The broader African independence movement accelerated in the 1960s, but May 8 is most directly associated with South Africa’s constitutional milestone in 1996 and global health achievements.