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President Truman announces Germany’s surrender, declares Victory in Europe Day 80 years ago this hour (May 8 1945)

1940s, U.S. Presidents, World War II


Video: '[VE Day 75] President Harry Truman's speech for Victory in Europe Day newsreel 8 May 1945'

(Tuesday, May 8, 1945, 9:00 a.m. EWT; on the Western Front of World War II) — U.S. President Harry S. Truman, on his 61st birthday, announced on radio this morning that Nazi Germany’s forces had surrendered, and that “the flags of freedom fly all over Europe” (click here for a clip of this day on “American Experience: Truman” at 1:41:50). Continue reading President Truman announces Germany’s surrender, declares Victory in Europe Day 80 years ago this hour (May 8 1945) →

Sétif and Guelma massacre begins in Algeria as French authorities clash with protesters 80 years ago this hour (May 8 1945)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'Algeria's first National Remembrance Day for the Setif Massacre'

(Tuesday, May 8, 1945, approximately 8:00 a.m. Western European Summer Time; part of the aftermath of World War II) — The Sétif and Guelma massacre began today in Algeria as French authorities clashed with protesters celebrating the surrender of Nazi Germany and calling for freedom from colonial rule; tens of thousands of Algerians are believed to have died in weeks of violence.

The Beatles film ‘Paul on the floor’ scene for ‘Help!’ film 60 years ago today (May 7 1965)

1960s, Movies 1960s, Popular Music 1960s, The Beatles 1960s


Video: 'The Beatles - Help! Movie 1965 1080p BluRay HD' (May 7, 1965, at 32:55-35:44)

(Friday, May 7, 1965) — Following their three-day shoot on Salisbury Plain for Help!, The Beatles today returned to Twickenham Film Studios to film the ‘exciting adventure of Paul on the floor’ scene in which Paul McCartney is accidentally injected with reducing fluid, loses his clothes, and misses out on much of the action while various people make a play for Ringo Starr’s ring.

New York greets Nazi Germany’s surrender with cheers and caution as city awaits official V-E Day 80 years ago today (May 7 1945)

1940s, World War II

(Monday, May 7, 1945; during World War II) — New York City’s millions reacted in two sharply contrasting ways today to the news of the unconditional surrender of the German armies. Continue reading New York greets Nazi Germany’s surrender with cheers and caution as city awaits official V-E Day 80 years ago today (May 7 1945) →

Germans torpedo British liner RMS Lusitania, killing 1198, including 128 Americans 110 years ago this hour (May 7 1915)

1910s, World War I


Video: 'Terror At Sea Sinking Of The Lusitania Documentary' (May 6, 1915, at 35:51)

(Friday, May 7, 1915, 2:10-2:28 p.m. GMT; during World War I) — In an incident that turned international opinion against Germany, the German U-boat U-20 torpedoed and sank the British liner RMS Lusitania, traveling from New York to Liverpool, off the southern coast of Ireland today, killing 1,198 people, including 128 Americans, out of the nearly 2,000 on board. Continue reading Germans torpedo British liner RMS Lusitania, killing 1198, including 128 Americans 110 years ago this hour (May 7 1915) →

Viet Cong celebrate takeover of South Vietnam in Saigon 50 years ago today (May 7 1975)

1970s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Vietnam The Ten Thousand Day War 12of13 Surrender' (May 7, 1975, at 44:24)

(Wednesday, May 7, 1975, during the Cold War) — On the same day that the Viet Cong celebrated its takeover of South Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, U.S. President Gerald R. Ford formally declared an end to the “Vietnam era,” ending wartime veteran’s benefits for new military recruits.

Nazi Germany signs unconditional surrender, marking the end of World War II in Europe 80 years ago this hour (May 7 1945)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'Capitulation Allemande à Reims Rheims German Surrender'

(Monday, May 7, 1945, 2:41 a.m. Central European Summer Time; on the Western Front of World War II) — Germany signed an unconditional surrender at Allied headquarters in Rheims, France, today at a little red schoolhouse that is the headquarters of Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, effective May 9, 1945, at 12:01 a.m. CEST/May 8, 1945, 6:01 p.m. Eastern War Time. Continue reading Nazi Germany signs unconditional surrender, marking the end of World War II in Europe 80 years ago this hour (May 7 1945) →

British liner RMS Lusitania warned of German submarine activity 110 years ago this hour (May 6 1915)

1910s, World War I


Video: 'Terror At Sea Sinking Of The Lusitania Documentary' (May 6, 1915, at 21:10)

(Thursday, May 6, 1915, 7:50 p.m. GMT; during World War I) — Captain William Thomas Turner of the British liner RMS Lusitania, approaching the Irish Sea on a journey from New York to Liverpool with nearly 2,000 aboard, was given a warning message twice tonight and took what he felt were prudent precautions. Continue reading British liner RMS Lusitania warned of German submarine activity 110 years ago this hour (May 6 1915) →

Babe Ruth hits his first major-league home run 110 years ago this afternoon (May 6 1915)

1910s


Video: 'May 6th 1915: Babe Ruth Hits His First Home Run'

(Thursday, May 6, 1915; during World War I) — Rookie pitcher Babe Ruth, 20, hit the first of his 714 major-league home runs today as a player for the Boston Red Sox in the top of the third inning off Yankee right-hander Jack Warhop at the the Polo Grounds in Upper Manhattan, New York. Continue reading Babe Ruth hits his first major-league home run 110 years ago this afternoon (May 6 1915) →