Which event is recognized as marking the end of World War II in Europe?

The unconditional surrender of Germany on May 7, 1945, is recognized as marking the end of World War II in Europe. This event signifies the formal conclusion of hostilities in Europe, as it meant that Germany, having faced a series of military defeats and the encroachment of Allied forces from both the west and the east, acknowledged its defeat. This surrender took effect on May 8, 1945, which is celebrated as Victory in Europe (VE) Day.

The other events listed hold significant importance in the context of the war. The signing of the Munich Agreement was an earlier attempt at appeasement that ultimately failed to prevent the war. The D-Day invasion was a critical turning point in the conflict, marking the beginning of the liberation of Western Europe but did not itself conclude the war. The dropping of the atomic bomb related to the end of the war in the Pacific, rather than Europe, and occurred later in 1945. Thus, the unconditional surrender of Germany is the key event marking the end of the war in Europe.