Thankful Thursday - V-E Day - Day of Celebration

Editor's note: Today's post was written by Sandra Gardner-Benward  & images from Google search


                              V-E Day

Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) was on May 8th 1945. VE Day officially announced the end of World War Two in Europe. On Monday May 7th at 02.41. German General Jodl signed the unconditional surrender document that formally ended war in Europe. Winston Churchill was informed of this event at 07.00. While no public announcements had been made, large crowds gathered outside of Buckingham Palace and shouted: “We want the King”. The Home Office issued a circular (before any official announcement) instructing the nation on how they could celebrate:..................continued

Upon the defeat of Germany (Italy having already surrendered) celebrations erupted throughout the Western world. From Moscow to Los Angeles, people cheered. In the United Kingdom, more than one million people celebrated in the streets to mark the end of the European part of the war. In London, crowds massed in Trafalgar Square and up The Maillot Buckingham Palace, where King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, accompanied by Prime Minister Winston Churchill, appeared on the balcony of the Palace before the cheering crowds. Princess Elizabeth (the future Queen Elizabeth II) and her sister Princess Margaret were allowed to wander incognito among the crowds and take part in the celebrations.

In the United States, the victory happened on President Truman's 61st birthday.......  more

History.com  more to read

Victory in Europe Day (V-E Day) commemorates the end of fighting in Europe during World War II. After years of war, the Third Reich of Nazi Germany was defeated. Millions of people were killed. Adolf Hitler, Germany's Dictator, had committed suicide in his bunker in Berlin.

The German Army ceased fighting on May 2nd and, formally surrendered unconditionally, on May 7th. The surrender of all German forces was arranged for May 8 at 11:01. The Allied countries planned to celebrate victory, and the cessation of hostilities. 

Did You Know? The original planned date for the celebration of    V-E Day, was May 9th, 1945. But, journalists caught wind of the plans. So, the US and Britain moved the date up by a day to May 8th. Russia kept to the original planned date for May 9th. Russia still celebrates V-E Day on May 9th. 

Do you have memories of V-E Day? Share them with me.


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