Here’s a look back at some of the major events that happened on May 8 through history.

1886 — Coca-Cola is sold for the first time

Pharmacist John Stith Pemberton sold the first glass of Coca-Cola at Jacobs’ Pharmacy in Atlanta. The drink was originally marketed as a medicinal tonic.

1945 — Victory in Europe Day

World War II effectively ended in Europe as Nazi Germany formally surrendered to the Allied forces. May 8 became known as VE Day and remains one of the most significant dates of the 20th century. Victory in Europe Day

1956 — Don Bradman receives high honour

Australian cricket legend Donald Bradman was appointed chairman of the Australian Board of Control.

1984 — Soviet Union boycotts Los Angeles Olympics

The Soviet Union announced it would boycott the 1984 Summer Olympics, escalating Cold War tensions during the sporting event.

Celebrity birthdays on May 8

David Attenborough (1926)
Melissa Gilbert (1964)

(1975)

In Australia on May 8, 1976

Number one song

Fernando by ABBA was dominating Australian charts during May 1976 through the Kent Music Report era.

Number one movie

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest was one of the biggest films in Australian cinemas in early May 1976 following its Oscar success.

Bestselling book

National Australian bestseller lists were not consistently standardised in 1976, making an exact “number one” difficult to verify. However, Jaws and Trinity were among the bestselling international titles widely read in Australia at the time.