diff --git a/log4j-1.2-api/pom.xml b/log4j-1.2-api/pom.xml
index 98b6716..644da24 100644
--- a/log4j-1.2-api/pom.xml
+++ b/log4j-1.2-api/pom.xml
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
   <parent>
     <groupId>org.apache.logging.log4j</groupId>
     <artifactId>log4j</artifactId>
-    <version>2.7.1-SNAPSHOT</version>
+    <version>2.8</version>
     <relativePath>../</relativePath>
   </parent>
   <artifactId>log4j-1.2-api</artifactId>
diff --git a/log4j-api-scala_2.10/pom.xml b/log4j-api-scala_2.10/pom.xml
index 2bbeeaa..3a5a184 100644
--- a/log4j-api-scala_2.10/pom.xml
+++ b/log4j-api-scala_2.10/pom.xml
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
   <parent>
     <groupId>org.apache.logging.log4j</groupId>
     <artifactId>log4j</artifactId>
-    <version>2.7.1-SNAPSHOT</version>
+    <version>2.8</version>
     <relativePath>../</relativePath>
   </parent>
   <artifactId>log4j-api-scala_2.10</artifactId>
diff --git a/log4j-api-scala_2.11/pom.xml b/log4j-api-scala_2.11/pom.xml
index cc40624..00891a2 100644
--- a/log4j-api-scala_2.11/pom.xml
+++ b/log4j-api-scala_2.11/pom.xml
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
   <parent>
     <groupId>org.apache.logging.log4j</groupId>
     <artifactId>log4j</artifactId>
-    <version>2.7.1-SNAPSHOT</version>
+    <version>2.8</version>
     <relativePath>../</relativePath>
   </parent>
   <artifactId>log4j-api-scala_2.11</artifactId>
diff --git a/log4j-api/pom.xml b/log4j-api/pom.xml
index debeb2f..97f6a0c 100644
--- a/log4j-api/pom.xml
+++ b/log4j-api/pom.xml
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
   <parent>
     <groupId>org.apache.logging.log4j</groupId>
     <artifactId>log4j</artifactId>
-    <version>2.7.1-SNAPSHOT</version>
+    <version>2.8</version>
     <relativePath>../</relativePath>
   </parent>
   <artifactId>log4j-api</artifactId>
diff --git a/log4j-bom/pom.xml b/log4j-bom/pom.xml
index d35c700..4563ef5 100644
--- a/log4j-bom/pom.xml
+++ b/log4j-bom/pom.xml
@@ -15,9 +15,7 @@
   See the license for the specific language governing permissions and
   limitations under the license.
   -->
-<project xmlns="http://maven.apache.org/POM/4.0.0"
-         xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"
-         xsi:schemaLocation="http://maven.apache.org/POM/4.0.0 http://maven.apache.org/xsd/maven-4.0.0.xsd">
+<project xmlns="http://maven.apache.org/POM/4.0.0" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xsi:schemaLocation="http://maven.apache.org/POM/4.0.0 http://maven.apache.org/xsd/maven-4.0.0.xsd">
   <parent>
     <groupId>org.apache</groupId>
     <artifactId>apache</artifactId>
@@ -28,7 +26,7 @@
   <description>Apache Log4j Bill of Materials</description>
   <groupId>org.apache.logging.log4j</groupId>
   <artifactId>log4j-bom</artifactId>
-  <version>2.7.1-SNAPSHOT</version>
+  <version>2.8</version>
   <packaging>pom</packaging>
   <dependencyManagement>
     <dependencies>
@@ -151,4 +149,8 @@
       </plugin>
     </plugins>
   </build>
+
+  <scm>
+    <tag>log4j-2.8-rc1</tag>
+  </scm>
 </project>
diff --git a/log4j-core/pom.xml b/log4j-core/pom.xml
index 14fb8b3..d37f0e5 100644
--- a/log4j-core/pom.xml
+++ b/log4j-core/pom.xml
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
   <parent>
     <groupId>org.apache.logging.log4j</groupId>
     <artifactId>log4j</artifactId>
-    <version>2.7.1-SNAPSHOT</version>
+    <version>2.8</version>
     <relativePath>../</relativePath>
   </parent>
   <artifactId>log4j-core</artifactId>
diff --git a/log4j-distribution/pom.xml b/log4j-distribution/pom.xml
index 6544b74..2175c19 100644
--- a/log4j-distribution/pom.xml
+++ b/log4j-distribution/pom.xml
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
   <parent>
     <groupId>org.apache.logging.log4j</groupId>
     <artifactId>log4j</artifactId>
-    <version>2.7.1-SNAPSHOT</version>
+    <version>2.8</version>
     <relativePath>../</relativePath>
   </parent>
   <artifactId>log4j-distribution</artifactId>
diff --git a/log4j-flume-ng/pom.xml b/log4j-flume-ng/pom.xml
index 06bb7b5..befe044 100644
--- a/log4j-flume-ng/pom.xml
+++ b/log4j-flume-ng/pom.xml
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
   <parent>
     <groupId>org.apache.logging.log4j</groupId>
     <artifactId>log4j</artifactId>
-    <version>2.7.1-SNAPSHOT</version>
+    <version>2.8</version>
     <relativePath>../</relativePath>
   </parent>
   <artifactId>log4j-flume-ng</artifactId>
diff --git a/log4j-iostreams/pom.xml b/log4j-iostreams/pom.xml
index 1ca56b4..998a56b 100644
--- a/log4j-iostreams/pom.xml
+++ b/log4j-iostreams/pom.xml
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
   <parent>
     <groupId>org.apache.logging.log4j</groupId>
     <artifactId>log4j</artifactId>
-    <version>2.7.1-SNAPSHOT</version>
+    <version>2.8</version>
     <relativePath>../</relativePath>
   </parent>
   <artifactId>log4j-iostreams</artifactId>
diff --git a/log4j-jcl/pom.xml b/log4j-jcl/pom.xml
index 0b6bd72..39333d6 100644
--- a/log4j-jcl/pom.xml
+++ b/log4j-jcl/pom.xml
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
   <parent>
     <groupId>org.apache.logging.log4j</groupId>
     <artifactId>log4j</artifactId>
-    <version>2.7.1-SNAPSHOT</version>
+    <version>2.8</version>
     <relativePath>../</relativePath>
   </parent>
   <artifactId>log4j-jcl</artifactId>
diff --git a/log4j-jmx-gui/pom.xml b/log4j-jmx-gui/pom.xml
index a31edd3..6969f1a 100644
--- a/log4j-jmx-gui/pom.xml
+++ b/log4j-jmx-gui/pom.xml
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
   <parent>
     <groupId>org.apache.logging.log4j</groupId>
     <artifactId>log4j</artifactId>
-    <version>2.7.1-SNAPSHOT</version>
+    <version>2.8</version>
     <relativePath>../</relativePath>
   </parent>
   <artifactId>log4j-jmx-gui</artifactId>
diff --git a/log4j-jul/pom.xml b/log4j-jul/pom.xml
index ca161cd..6db5447 100644
--- a/log4j-jul/pom.xml
+++ b/log4j-jul/pom.xml
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
   <parent>
     <artifactId>log4j</artifactId>
     <groupId>org.apache.logging.log4j</groupId>
-    <version>2.7.1-SNAPSHOT</version>
+    <version>2.8</version>
     <relativePath>../</relativePath>
   </parent>
   <modelVersion>4.0.0</modelVersion>
diff --git a/log4j-liquibase/pom.xml b/log4j-liquibase/pom.xml
index 7d2d66c..b74a361 100644
--- a/log4j-liquibase/pom.xml
+++ b/log4j-liquibase/pom.xml
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
   <parent>
     <groupId>org.apache.logging.log4j</groupId>
     <artifactId>log4j</artifactId>
-    <version>2.7.1-SNAPSHOT</version>
+    <version>2.8</version>
     <relativePath>../</relativePath>
   </parent>
   <artifactId>log4j-liquibase</artifactId>
diff --git a/log4j-nosql/pom.xml b/log4j-nosql/pom.xml
index 039d8d6..06c890b 100644
--- a/log4j-nosql/pom.xml
+++ b/log4j-nosql/pom.xml
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
   <parent>
     <artifactId>log4j</artifactId>
     <groupId>org.apache.logging.log4j</groupId>
-    <version>2.7.1-SNAPSHOT</version>
+    <version>2.8</version>
   </parent>
   <modelVersion>4.0.0</modelVersion>
 
diff --git a/log4j-osgi/pom.xml b/log4j-osgi/pom.xml
index defb6cd..edefc05 100644
--- a/log4j-osgi/pom.xml
+++ b/log4j-osgi/pom.xml
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
   <parent>
     <groupId>org.apache.logging.log4j</groupId>
     <artifactId>log4j</artifactId>
-    <version>2.7.1-SNAPSHOT</version>
+    <version>2.8</version>
     <relativePath>../</relativePath>
   </parent>
   <artifactId>log4j-osgi</artifactId>
diff --git a/log4j-perf/pom.xml b/log4j-perf/pom.xml
index a6b3b8c..c53fb35 100644
--- a/log4j-perf/pom.xml
+++ b/log4j-perf/pom.xml
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
   <parent>
     <artifactId>log4j</artifactId>
     <groupId>org.apache.logging.log4j</groupId>
-    <version>2.7.1-SNAPSHOT</version>
+    <version>2.8</version>
     <relativePath>../</relativePath>
   </parent>
 
diff --git a/log4j-samples/configuration/pom.xml b/log4j-samples/configuration/pom.xml
index 153a394..e943b53 100644
--- a/log4j-samples/configuration/pom.xml
+++ b/log4j-samples/configuration/pom.xml
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
   <parent>
     <artifactId>log4j-samples</artifactId>
     <groupId>org.apache.logging.log4j.samples</groupId>
-    <version>2.7.1-SNAPSHOT</version>
+    <version>2.8</version>
   </parent>
   <artifactId>log4j-samples-configuration</artifactId>
   <packaging>jar</packaging>
diff --git a/log4j-samples/flume-common/pom.xml b/log4j-samples/flume-common/pom.xml
index 73e7975..da696bd 100644
--- a/log4j-samples/flume-common/pom.xml
+++ b/log4j-samples/flume-common/pom.xml
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
   <parent>
     <artifactId>log4j-samples</artifactId>
     <groupId>org.apache.logging.log4j.samples</groupId>
-    <version>2.7.1-SNAPSHOT</version>
+    <version>2.8</version>
   </parent>
   <artifactId>log4j-samples-flume-common</artifactId>
   <packaging>jar</packaging>
diff --git a/log4j-samples/flume-embedded/pom.xml b/log4j-samples/flume-embedded/pom.xml
index 368424d..26a1d23 100644
--- a/log4j-samples/flume-embedded/pom.xml
+++ b/log4j-samples/flume-embedded/pom.xml
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
   <parent>
     <artifactId>log4j-samples</artifactId>
     <groupId>org.apache.logging.log4j.samples</groupId>
-    <version>2.7.1-SNAPSHOT</version>
+    <version>2.8</version>
   </parent>
   <artifactId>log4j-samples-flume-embedded</artifactId>
   <packaging>war</packaging>
diff --git a/log4j-samples/flume-remote/pom.xml b/log4j-samples/flume-remote/pom.xml
index 4c487f5..26e9099 100644
--- a/log4j-samples/flume-remote/pom.xml
+++ b/log4j-samples/flume-remote/pom.xml
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
   <parent>
     <artifactId>log4j-samples</artifactId>
     <groupId>org.apache.logging.log4j.samples</groupId>
-    <version>2.7.1-SNAPSHOT</version>
+    <version>2.8</version>
   </parent>
   <artifactId>log4j-samples-flume-remote</artifactId>
   <packaging>war</packaging>
diff --git a/log4j-samples/loggerProperties/pom.xml b/log4j-samples/loggerProperties/pom.xml
index 5a4e14c..8adac00 100644
--- a/log4j-samples/loggerProperties/pom.xml
+++ b/log4j-samples/loggerProperties/pom.xml
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
   <parent>
     <artifactId>log4j-samples</artifactId>
     <groupId>org.apache.logging.log4j.samples</groupId>
-    <version>2.7.1-SNAPSHOT</version>
+    <version>2.8</version>
   </parent>
   <artifactId>log4j-samples-loggerProperties</artifactId>
   <packaging>jar</packaging>
diff --git a/log4j-samples/pom.xml b/log4j-samples/pom.xml
index 654c93e..665800a 100644
--- a/log4j-samples/pom.xml
+++ b/log4j-samples/pom.xml
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
   <parent>
     <groupId>org.apache.logging.log4j</groupId>
     <artifactId>log4j</artifactId>
-    <version>2.7.1-SNAPSHOT</version>
+    <version>2.8</version>
     <relativePath>../</relativePath>
   </parent>
   <groupId>org.apache.logging.log4j.samples</groupId>
diff --git a/log4j-samples/scala-api/pom.xml b/log4j-samples/scala-api/pom.xml
index 4bfea66..d1b3733 100644
--- a/log4j-samples/scala-api/pom.xml
+++ b/log4j-samples/scala-api/pom.xml
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
   <parent>
     <artifactId>log4j-samples</artifactId>
     <groupId>org.apache.logging.log4j.samples</groupId>
-    <version>2.7.1-SNAPSHOT</version>
+    <version>2.8</version>
   </parent>
   <artifactId>log4j-samples-scala-api</artifactId>
   <packaging>jar</packaging>
diff --git a/log4j-slf4j-impl/pom.xml b/log4j-slf4j-impl/pom.xml
index 64eb409..7a31b52 100644
--- a/log4j-slf4j-impl/pom.xml
+++ b/log4j-slf4j-impl/pom.xml
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
   <parent>
     <groupId>org.apache.logging.log4j</groupId>
     <artifactId>log4j</artifactId>
-    <version>2.7.1-SNAPSHOT</version>
+    <version>2.8</version>
     <relativePath>../</relativePath>
   </parent>
   <artifactId>log4j-slf4j-impl</artifactId>
diff --git a/log4j-taglib/pom.xml b/log4j-taglib/pom.xml
index 20a6510..04d48bd 100644
--- a/log4j-taglib/pom.xml
+++ b/log4j-taglib/pom.xml
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
   <parent>
     <groupId>org.apache.logging.log4j</groupId>
     <artifactId>log4j</artifactId>
-    <version>2.7.1-SNAPSHOT</version>
+    <version>2.8</version>
     <relativePath>../</relativePath>
   </parent>
   <artifactId>log4j-taglib</artifactId>
diff --git a/log4j-to-slf4j/pom.xml b/log4j-to-slf4j/pom.xml
index 2e3c77e..892638b 100644
--- a/log4j-to-slf4j/pom.xml
+++ b/log4j-to-slf4j/pom.xml
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
   <parent>
     <groupId>org.apache.logging.log4j</groupId>
     <artifactId>log4j</artifactId>
-    <version>2.7.1-SNAPSHOT</version>
+    <version>2.8</version>
     <relativePath>../</relativePath>
   </parent>
   <artifactId>log4j-to-slf4j</artifactId>
diff --git a/log4j-web/pom.xml b/log4j-web/pom.xml
index db78e15..95e19ae 100644
--- a/log4j-web/pom.xml
+++ b/log4j-web/pom.xml
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
   <parent>
     <artifactId>log4j</artifactId>
     <groupId>org.apache.logging.log4j</groupId>
-    <version>2.7.1-SNAPSHOT</version>
+    <version>2.8</version>
   </parent>
   <modelVersion>4.0.0</modelVersion>
 
diff --git a/pom.xml b/pom.xml
index fbcf3cb..9eec90d 100644
--- a/pom.xml
+++ b/pom.xml
@@ -15,15 +15,13 @@
   ~ See the license for the specific language governing permissions and
   ~ limitations under the license.
   -->
-<project xmlns="http://maven.apache.org/POM/4.0.0"
-         xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"
-         xsi:schemaLocation="http://maven.apache.org/POM/4.0.0 http://maven.apache.org/maven-v4_0_0.xsd">
+<project xmlns="http://maven.apache.org/POM/4.0.0" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xsi:schemaLocation="http://maven.apache.org/POM/4.0.0 http://maven.apache.org/maven-v4_0_0.xsd">
   <modelVersion>4.0.0</modelVersion>
   <groupId>org.apache.logging.log4j</groupId>
   <artifactId>log4j</artifactId>
   <packaging>pom</packaging>
   <name>Apache Log4j 2</name>
-  <version>2.7.1-SNAPSHOT</version>
+  <version>2.8</version>
   <parent>
     <groupId>org.apache</groupId>
     <artifactId>apache</artifactId>
@@ -175,7 +173,7 @@
     <connection>scm:git:https://git-wip-us.apache.org/repos/asf/logging-log4j2.git</connection>
     <developerConnection>scm:git:https://git-wip-us.apache.org/repos/asf/logging-log4j2.git</developerConnection>
     <url>https://git-wip-us.apache.org/repos/asf?p=logging-log4j2.git;a=summary</url>
-    <tag>log4j-${Log4jReleaseVersion}</tag>
+    <tag>log4j-2.8-rc1</tag>
   </scm>
   <!-- TODO: this can be removed after migrating to logging-parent -->
   <organization>
@@ -1111,7 +1109,7 @@
             </goals>
             <configuration>
               <skip>true</skip>
-              <resourceBundles/>
+              <resourceBundles />
             </configuration>
           </execution>
         </executions>