1886, the syrup for Coca Cola was introduced by pharmacist Dr. John Styth Pemberton, who had been working on a new headache and hangover remedy.
1945, it was V-E (Victory in Europe) Day as it was announced that Germany had surrendered unconditionally to Allied forces.
1945, Czechoslovakia was liberated from German control.
1956, red-haired, gap-toothed and freckle-faced Alfred E. Neuman first appeared on the cover of Madmagazine.
1961, New Yorkers selected a new name for the National League baseball franchise that would begin play at the Polo Grounds in 1962. The name originally selected, the Metropolitans, was quickly changed to a more catchy one, the Mets.
1967, Muhammad Ali was indicted for refusing induction into the Army.
1971, Joe Frazier beat Muhammad Ali in 15 rounds at New York City’s Madison Square Garden. It was their first bout against each other and Ali’s first professional defeat.
1973, American Indians who had held the South Dakota town of Wounded Knee for 10 weeks surrendered.
1978, David Berkowitz pled guilty to six murder charges in the “Son Of Sam” .44-caliber killings in New York City.
1980, the World Health Organization announced the worldwide eradication of smallpox.
1984, Joanie, played by actress Erin Moran, and Chachi, played by Scott Baio, got married on TV’sHappy Days.
1987, Gary Hart withdrew from the race for the 1988 Democratic presidential nomination over the revelation of his extramarital affair with Donna Rice.
1996, South Africa adopted a Constitution that guaranteed equal rights for blacks and whites.