HISTORY IN A NUTSHELL~MAY 8

         

 

 

 

1945  Victory In Europe ~ V-E Day is Celebrated In American And Britain

On this day in 1945, both Great Britain and the United States celebrate Victory in Europe Day. Cities in both nations, as well as formerly occupied cities in Western Europe, put out flags and banners, rejoicing in the defeat of the Nazi war machine.

The eighth of May spelled the day when German troops throughout Europe finally laid down their arms: In Prague, Germans surrendered to their Soviet antagonists, after the latter had lost more than 8,000 soldiers, and the Germans considerably more; in Copenhagen and Oslo; at Karlshorst, near Berlin; in northern Latvia; on the Channel Island of Sark--the German surrender was realized in a final cease-fire. More surrender documents were signed in Berlin and in eastern Germany.

The main concern of many German soldiers was to elude the grasp of Soviet forces, to keep from being taken prisoner. About 1 million Germans attempted a mass exodus to the West when the fighting in Czechoslovakia ended, but were stopped by the Russians and taken captive. The Russians took approximately 2 million prisoners in the period just before and after the German surrender.

Meanwhile, more than 13,000 British POWs were released and sent back to Great Britain.

Pockets of German-Soviet confrontation would continue into the next day. On May 9, the Soviets would lose 600 more soldiers in Silesia before the Germans finally surrendered. Consequently, V-E Day was not celebrated until the ninth in Moscow, with a radio broadcast salute from Stalin himself: "The age-long struggle of the Slav nations...hasended in victory. Your courage has defeated the Nazis. The war is over."

 

    

 

1886  Dr. John S. Pemberton Sold Secret Elixir

Originally used for medicinal purposes Dr. Pemberton went to the right place to sell his new product: Jacob’s Pharmacy in Atlanta, GA.

Three years later, Dr. Pemberton figured that his secret formula had been enough of a success for him to sell out. He did just that, for $2,300. Even in 1889 dollars, $2,300 was a mere drop in the bucket for what the still very classified, secret formula would be worth. That formula is now used in a product that sells about 350 million cans and bottles a day in nearly 200 countries. That’s enough secret elixir for every man, woman and child on earth to consume -- 25 times a year.

Dr. Pemberton’s medicine was sold to make people feel better. It’s “the pause that refreshes.” It’s “the real thing.” It’s

 

     BIRTHDAYS

 

1926  David Attenborough Naturalist, Author: Life on Earth, Trials of Life

1926  Don Rickles  Comedian, Actor: CPO Sharkey, Casino, Blazing Saddles, Kelly’s Heroes, Beach Blanket Bingo, The Rat Race

1932  (Charles) Sonny Liston  International Boxing Hall of Famer, World Heavyweight Boxing Champion [1962, 1963]; International Boxing Hall of Famer; 54 bouts: won 50 [39 KOs], lost 4; died Dec 30, 1970

1940   Peter Benchley  Author: Jaws, The Deep, The Island; died Feb 11, 2006

1940  Ricky (Eric Hilliard) Nelson  Actor: The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, Rio Bravo, Wackiest Ship in the Army, Love and Kisses; singer: I’m Walkin’, Be-Bop Baby, Poor Little Fool, Lonesome Town, Never Be Anyone Else But You, Travelin’ Man, Garden Party; Rock and Roll Hall of Famer [1987]; killed in plane crash Dec 31, 1985

1940  Toni Tennille Singer: group: Captain & Tenille: Love Will Keep Us Together, The Way I Want to Touch You, Lonely Night [Angel Face], Muskrat Love

1944  Gary Glitter (Paul Gadd)  Singer: Rock And Roll (Parts I & II), I’m the Leader of the Gang [I Am], I Love You Love Me Love, Hello Hello I’m Back Again, Do You Wanna Touch, Another Rock ’n’ Roll Christmas

1953  Alex Van Halen  Drummer: group: Van Halen: Jump, Why Can’t This Be Love, When It’s Love, Dance the Night Away; brother of Eddie and Michael

1964  Melissa Gilbert  Actress: Little House on the Prairie, The Miracle Worker, Her Own Rules, Murder at 75 Birch