05/7/1945
German forces surrender to General Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Supreme Allied Commander.

05/8/1945
Victory-in-Europe Day. While millions celebrate, Allied leaders focus on the war in the Pacific.

05/9/1885
Major-General F.D. Middleton’s column reaches Batoche, Sask., and engages in a four-day battle with Louis Riel’s forces, culminating in a successful assault on the rebel stronghold.

05/9/1955
West Germany joins the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

05/10/1940
Winston Churchill becomes British prime minister.

05/11/1940
Canadian-born Lord Beaverbrook to minister aircraft production.

05/11/1944
Allied forces launch new offensive on the Gustav Line in Italy.

05/11/1957
440 Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force moves from Bagotville, Que., to Zweibrucken, West Germany. The squadron, which is equipped with the CF-100, serves with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization as part of 3 Wing.

05/12/1944
The Allied offensive to breach the Gustav Line anchored on Monte Cassino, Italy, begins with an assault across the Rapido-Gari River.

05/12/1958
Canada and the United States sign the North American Air Defence Agreement. The signing comes at a time when the threat of Soviet bombers transiting the Arctic to attack North America is seen as a real possibility. Over the next three decades, early warning lines, radar stations, air bases and missile sites are constructed to defend against any possible Soviet attack.

05/13/1954
United States President Dwight D. Eisenhower signs legislation authorizing U.S. participation with Canada to build the St. Lawrence Seaway.