What happened on 8 May?

11 events from the Ever-When timeline, ranked by how much they mattered.

1. 1945 VE Day Germany surrenders unconditionally; war in Europe ends.
2. 1884 Born: Harry S. Truman 33rd President of the United States, sworn in days before VE-day. Authorised the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, launched the Marshall Plan and the Truman Doctrine, and
3. 1559 English Reformation ends Conventional end of English Reformation.
4. 1980 Smallpox declared eradicated The World Health Assembly certifies the global eradication of smallpox, the first disease deliberately wiped out by humanity after a decade-long WHO vaccination campaign.
5. 1429 Joan of Arc lifts siege of Orléans Joan and French forces break the English siege — turning point of the Hundred Years' War.
6. 2025 Election of Pope Leo XIV First American-born pope.
7. 1838 Chartism / People's Charter Working-class movement for the People's Charter demanding universal male suffrage and other democratic reforms in 19th-century Britain.
8. 1360 Treaty of Brétigny End of first phase of Hundred Years' War; Edward III renounces French crown in exchange for vastly expanded Aquitaine.
9. 1838 Chartism / People's Charter begins Conventional start of Chartism / People's Charter.
10. 2009 MPs' expenses scandal Daily Telegraph publishes details of fraudulent MP expenses; resignations, repayments, prosecutions; deepens distrust of Westminster.
11. 1835 Andersen's Fairy Tales published The first thin booklet of Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales, Told for Children appears in Copenhagen; 155 more tales will follow.