What Happened on May 8?

May 8 is Victory in Europe Day — VE Day — when Allies celebrated Nazi Germany's surrender in 1945, on the same date the WHO declared smallpox eradicated in 1980 and Coca-Cola was first sold in Atlanta in 1886.

• 1794 — Chemist Antoine Lavoisier is executed during the French Revolution

  On May 8, 1794, Antoine Lavoisier — the father of modern chemistry — was guillotined in Paris during the Reign of Terror. Read the full story →

• 1886 — Coca-Cola is first sold at Jacobs' Pharmacy in Atlanta

  On May 8, 1886, Atlanta pharmacist John Pemberton's caramel-colored soda was first sold at Jacobs' Pharmacy — the birth of Coca-Cola. Read the full story →

• 1945 — Allied nations celebrate Victory in Europe Day

  On May 8, 1945, Britain, the United States, and other Allies celebrated VE Day — Germany's unconditional surrender ending World War II in Europe. Read the full story →

• 1945 — President Truman announces victory in Europe on his birthday

  On May 8, 1945 — his 61st birthday — President Harry Truman proclaimed Victory in Europe and dedicated the triumph to Franklin D. Roosevelt. Read the full story →

• 1945 — Winston Churchill announces victory to the British people

  On May 8, 1945, Prime Minister Winston Churchill broadcast that Germany had surrendered and declared a public holiday — VE Day in Britain. Read the full story →

Famous birthdays

Harry S. Truman (1884–1972) · Enrique Iglesias (1975) · Roberto Rossellini (1906–1977) · Melissa Gilbert (1964)

Days & observances

Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) · Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives in WWII · National Have a Coke Day · World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day