THURSDAY, May 8, 2025

1660-English Parliament proclaims Charles II, King of England and invites him to return

1835-First installment of Hans Christian Andersen "Fairy Tales" published by C. A. Reitzel in Copenhagen, Denmark

1895-China cedes Taiwan to Japan under Treaty of Shimonoseki

1902-Mount Pelee on the French overseas island of Martinique erupts, wiping out the city of Saint-Pierre, killing 30,000 and leaving only two survivors

1945-V-E Day: World War II ends in Europe after Germany signs an unconditional surrender

1980-World Health Organization announces smallpox has been eradicated

2007-A new Northern Ireland Executive is formed with Ian Paisley (Democratic Unionist Party) as First Minister and Martin McGuinness (Sinn Féin) as Deputy First Minister