Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), celebrates the Allied Forces accepting the Nazi’s unconditional surrender at the end of the Second World War.
The final document of surrender was signed on 8 May 1945. Today, countries throughout the world annually celebrate VE Day on 8 or 9 May.
In 1945 street parties and parades were held to celebrate VE Day.
More than a million people took to the streets in Great Britain, with the greatest crowds in London, in celebration of the day. VE Day was marked as a national holiday in the UK.
However, the war was not fully concluded because Japan had still not surrendered. Japan’s surrender came on 2 September 1945.
VE Day was a chance for people to grieve, reflect and gave a glimpse of a future not entirely governed by global war.
In the United Kingdom the population generally celebrate VE Day with a two minute silence at 3pm in the afternoon. This provides an opportunity to remember the sacrifices made by those who lost their lives and to reflect on pain and suffering caused by the war.
It is for this reason that VE Day is still important and celebrated to this day.
Last updated: Friday, 6 August 2021 9:31 am