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Emmanuel Kalemba | Writer/Editor
It’s May! The month of celebrations that range from Mother’s Day to Cinco de Mayo, and the infamous ‘Star Wars Day’ – May the fourth be with you. May hosts a lot of celebrations for many different cultures and nations but looking back at the past reminds us of some of the great things that happened in May.
- World War II in Europe ended – May 8,1945
On May 8th, 1945, a week after Adolf Hitler committed suicide, the Allies accepted Germany’s surrender, officially bringing an end to the war in Europe. This day was celebrated in Britain and America by hanging out banners and flags as the nations rejoiced in the defeat of the Nazis. This day is remembered as Victory in Europe Day also known as VE Day. However, it is important to note that the war only ended in Europe, WWII was still going on in other nations such as in Asia with Japan being
2. First flight over the North Pole – May 9, 1926
Richard E. Byrd and co-pilot Floyd Bennett claim to be the first men to have flown to the North pole. Their journey began in Norway and within 15 hours and 30 minutes, the pilots traveled 2,486 kilometers to and fro the North Pole. However, there were many skeptics who doubted this event took place. For instance, the plane these pilots used did not have the capacity to fly at a speed that allowed them to go to the North Pole and back to Norweigh within 15 hours and 30 min. Thus, if this event never truly happened, then Umberto Nobile, American Lincoln Ellsworth, and Roald Amundsen were the first people to have flown over the North Pole. Additionally, their flight also happened in May.
3. Nelson Mandela inaugurated as president of South Africa – May 10, 1994
On this very important day in South Africa’s history, May 10, 1994, Nelson Mandela was sworn in as the first Black president. After joining the ANC, a Black-led political organization committed to gaining rights for Black people, and spending 27 years of his life as a political prisoner, the day Nelson Mandela won the 1994 elections represented a lot of good things, one being national unity. South Africa and Nelson Mandela’s long fight for peace, social justice, and global advocacy led to that moment, May 10, 1994, where all South Africans could be treated as equal human beings.
