On this day - 8 May

May 8th 1945 saw the end of World War 2 and is known as Victory in Europe or V-E day. An unconditional surrender was signed by the chief of staff of the German military on the 7th May which stated that all offensive action was to cease on May 8th. Not all the German forces involved in fighting listened to this order and battles continued for some time after the official surrender was in place. Because it was after midnight in other time zones when the offensive action was scheduled to stop many other countries, including most of the former Soviet Union, celebrate Victory day on May 9th.

As reported in the Daily Worker, celebrations took place around the world as news of the end of the war broke. Both May 8th and 9th were made national holidays in the UK.