prepare for 2.8.0
diff --git a/release-notes/VERSION b/release-notes/VERSION
index 01b32e5..bd6520f 100644
--- a/release-notes/VERSION
+++ b/release-notes/VERSION
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 === Releases ===
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-2.8.1 (not yet released)
+2.8.1 (20-Jul-2016)
 
 #1256: `Optional.empty()` not excluded if property declared with type `Object`
 #1288: Type id not exposed for `JsonTypeInfo.As.EXTERNAL_PROPERTY` even when `visible` set to `true`