1945 – VE Day in Europe. After five years, eight months, and five days of massive devastation, the end of the European phase of World War II was celebrated. Victory in Europe was commemorated with celebrations all around the world in recognition of the unconditional surrender of all German forces, which was signed in Reims, France, the previous day.

1961 – Former British diplomat George Blake, was jailed for 42 years after being found guilty of spying for Russia. In 1966 he successfully escaped from London’s Wormwood Scrubs.

1968 – Gangster twins Reginald and Ronnie Kray and their brother Charlie were arrested after dawn raids by police in London.

1980 – Smallpox eradication was certified. Based on extensive verification by renowned scientists, their findings of the eradication of smallpox were officially endorsed by the World Health Assembly.

1984 – The official opening of the Thames Barrier in London. The barrier is designed to be raised when exceptionally high tides on the River Thames threaten to flood parts of London.

1986 – British climber Alison Hargreaves became the first climber to conquer a Himalayan peak by its toughest route when she reached the 22,251 foot (6,782 m) summit of Kantega in 5 days without oxygen, porters or a fixed camp.

2013 – Mother-of-five Melanie Smith, 43 who started a fire in a communal hallway which killed five members of a neighbouring family, including three young children, was given five life terms for the murders and serve a minimum of 30 years.

2013 – Sir Alex Ferguson (aged 71) announced his retirement as Manchester United manager after 26 years in charge. The Scot won 38 trophies for the club including 13 league titles, two Champions League crowns, five FA Cups and four League Cups and was the most successful manager in the history of British football.

2015 – 20 year old Mhairi Black became Westminster’s youngest MP since 1667 when she won the Paisley and Renfrewshire South seat for the Scottish National Party in the General Election. (Note: In 1667 Christopher Monck, the 2nd Duke of Albemarle, aged 13 and a half, became knight of the Shire for Devon.)

2015 – David cameron’s Conservative party won a majority Government. In the aftermath; Ed Miliband (Labour party leader) resigned, as did Nick Clegg (Liberal Democrat leader) and also the UKIP leader Nigel Farage. (Note: The UKIP chairman Steve Crowther later rejected Mr. Farage’s post-election resignation because ‘the party’s election campaign has been a great success’.