The most important events on May 8:
[1945-NAZIGERMANYSURRENDS
The Second World War in Europe is coming to an end. The capitulation treaty of Nazi Germany, signed on the same day, enters into force. The Allies were victorious.
Between 70 and 85 million people died because of the war and its effects, i.e. 3% of the planet’s population in 1941. It is the most destructive war in history.
However, the USSR and its satellites celebrated and are celebrating victory on May 9. The capitulation entered into force at 23:01 CET. In Moscow, it was after midnight.
1980 – A TERRIBLE DISEASE IS DEFEATED
The World Health Organization officially announced that one of the most dangerous diseases in human history was officially eradicated. It’s smallpox.
Smallpox was known since the time of ancient Egypt. He killed a huge number of people. In the last century of its existence alone, smallpox killed 500 million people.
It is the only human disease that has ever been eradicated. It was the result of a global vaccination campaign. The last natural case of smallpox was in 1977, in Somalia.
1429 – THE GIRL WHO SAVED FRANCE
A French army succeeds in lifting the English siege of Orleans. The strategic time was under siege for 6 months. At the head of the French army was the young Joan of Arc.
He was only 17 years old and had no military experience. But he told the king of France that he received the divine mission to save the country. Orleans was her first victory.
Historians now say that if the English conquered Orleans, they would have won the 100-year war. Joan of Arc became and still is a heroine for all of France.
