On This Day for May 8 - World War II in Europe ended, Paul Gauguin is featured, and more

This message contains graphics. If you do not see the graphics, click here to view. May 08 FEATURED BIOGRAPHY Paul Gauguin READ MORE   FEATURED EVENT 1945 World War II in Europe ended READ MORE   Advertisement Advertisement   MORE EVENTS ON THIS DAY 2012: American artist Maurice Sendak, who was best known for his illustrated children's books, died in Connecticut. [Test your knowledge of children's authors.] 1999: Nancy Mace became the first woman to graduate from The Citadel, a military college in Charleston, South Carolina. [Take our quiz about historic firsts.] 1970: A month after Paul McCartney announced that he had left the Beatles, the British rock group released Let It Be, their last original studio album to hit the record shops.[How much do you know about the Fab Four?] 1942: In the Battle of the Coral Sea, the USS Lexington became the first U.S. aircraft carrier to be sunk during World War II. [Test your knowledge of World War battles.] 1886: American pharmacist John S. Pemberton developed Coca-Cola, a drink he originally billed as a cure-all tonic. 1884: Harry S. Truman, the 33rd president of the United States (1945–53), was born in Lamar, Missouri. [Can you identify where each president was born?] SEE ALL EVENTS ON THIS DAY ALSO BORN ON THIS DAY 1884 Harry S. Truman president of United States 1926 David Attenborough English broadcaster, writer, and naturalist 1926 Don Rickles American comedian and actor 1940 Rick Nelson American musician and actor 1930 Doug Atkins American football player 1899 F.A. Hayek British economist SEE ALL BIOS ON THIS DAY   Advertisement   FOLLOW: To unsubscribe from Britannica e-mails, click here. Encyclopædia Britannica 325 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 200 Chicago, Illinois 60654 United States © 2020 Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. Privacy Policy • Help