Today, May 8, 1945 is known as "V-E Day," marking the surrender of Germany and the Axis powers in Europe.

CIA

May 8, 1945: V-E Day and the Surrender of Germany

by Flint Whitlock

In May 1945—70 years ago—the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF) sent out a terse, unemotional, 15-word communiqué: “The mission of this Allied force was fulfilled at 0241 local time, May 7, 1945.” Read more

From Around the Network

  • During the battle for Hill 111 Sergeant Brian Charles Cooper was in charge of a 10-man machine-gun section of the 2nd Royal Australian Regiment.

    Military History

    Australians at The Hook
    Read More
  • The ferocity of that single day of fighting and the haphazard means by which graves were arranged has made the Antietam death toll hard to truly measure.

    Civil War

    The 1862 Battle of Antietam: Casualties and Death Toll
    Read More
  • With warrior skills learned at his father’s side, Charles the Great—Charlemagne—carved out a mighty empire in the strife-torn countryside of western Europe.

    Military History

    Charlemagne: Warlord of the Franks
    Read More