Front page flashback:<\/strong> May 8, 1945<\/p>\n 1945:<\/strong> \u201cComplete victory in Europe was won by the allies today with the unconditional surrender of Germany,\u201d read the front page<\/a>\u00a0of the Tribune.<\/p>\n Victory in Europe (V-E) Day brought thousands of people to\u00a0State Street<\/a>. The exterior lights of movie theater marquees, the Water Tower and Palmolive Building \u2014 dim since a Feb. 1 order \u2014 were once again lit in celebration.<\/p>\n While some donated blood destined for wounded soldiers, others working in the city\u2019s war plants stopped to listen to a proclamation by President Harry Truman.<\/p>\n Though celebratory, everyone knew \u201cthat another war needs to be fought in Asia.\u201d<\/p>\n V-E Day was cause for celebration \u2014 and worry<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Weather records <\/strong>(from the National Weather Service, Chicago<\/a>)<\/p>\n 1926: <\/strong>Chicago\u2019s first municipal airport<\/a>\u00a0opened. It\u2019s now known as Midway International Airport.<\/p>\n The first flight<\/a>: An aircraft christened Miss Chicago took off for Dallas. The cargo: A load of mail.<\/p>\n 1984:<\/strong> Tied at 3-3, a Chicago White Sox game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Comiskey Park was suspended at 1 a.m.<\/a>, May 9, because of the American League\u2019s curfew<\/a> and resumed the next day.<\/p>\n Harold Baines<\/a> ended the game in the 25th inning<\/a> when he hit a home run into the center field bullpen \u2014 on the 753rd pitch<\/a>, according to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. The Sox won 7-6. At eight hours and six minutes<\/a>, it was the longest game in elapsed time<\/a> in MLB history. (The longest game in innings \u2014 26 \u2014 between the Brooklyn Robins and Boston Braves took place May 1, 1920, in Boston. Tribune columnist Jerome Holtzman<\/a> noted both pitchers were not only born in Chicago, but also went the distance.)<\/p>\n \u201cTen years from now, millions of Chicagoans will have laid claim to being in Comiskey Park for this historic two-night affair,\u201d Tribune reporter Fred Mitchell<\/a> wrote. \u201cAccept no frauds. Make them show you their ticket stub.\u201d<\/p>\n When it was over, the teams started their regularly scheduled game at 7:30 p.m. The Sox won that one too, 5-4.<\/p>\n Want more vintage Chicago?<\/p>\n Subscribe to the free\u00a0Vintage Chicago Tribune<\/a>\u00a0newsletter, join our\u00a0Chicagoland history Facebook group,<\/a> stay current with Today in Chicago History<\/a> and follow us on Instagram<\/a>\u00a0for more from Chicago\u2019s past.<\/p>\n Have an idea for Vintage Chicago Tribune? Share it with Kori Rumore and Marianne Mather at krumore@chicagotribune.com<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0mmather@chicagotribune.com<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t![\""Complete](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/CTC-L-V-E-DAY-FRONT-PAGE-1945-01.jpg\")
“Complete victory in Europe was won by the allies today,” the Tribune’s front page declared on May 8, 1945. (Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n![\"Chicagoans](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/CTC-L-VICTORY-IN-EUROPE-CT0028420377-e1778183048240.jpg\")
Chicagoans took to the streets for a V-E Day celebration on May 8, 1945. (Chicago Herald-American)<\/p>\n\n
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![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/CTC-L-MIDWAY-AIRPORT-1926-CT0020075167-e1746646097280.jpg\")
The National Air Transport Curtiss Carrier Pigeon corporation plane, christened Miss Chicago, is shown taking off with a load of mail that would eventually get to Dallas, during the opening ceremonies of the city’s new air field, Chicago Municipal Airport, at 63rd Street and Cicero Avenue in Chicago on May 8, 1926. Editors note: This historic print shows some hand painting. (Chicago Tribune historical photo)<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/CTC-L-WHITE-SOX-LONGEST-GAME-1984-01.jpg\")
A 420-foot home run by Harold Baines in the 25th inning gave the Chicago White Sox a win against the Milwaukee Brewers at Comiskey Park on May 9, 1984. (Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n