VE Day, or Victory in Europe Day, marks the end of World War II in Europe. On May 8, 1945, after six years of fighting and millions of lives lost, Germany officially surrendered to the Allies. The day is celebrated as a national holiday in many countries, including the United Kingdom and France.
The celebrations on VE Day were some of the largest in history. People filled the streets, dancing and singing, and cheering the end of the war. Churchill, who had led Britain through the war, gave a speech to the nation, declaring “This is your victory.” The news spread quickly, and people gathered in cities across Europe and the United States, celebrating the end of the war.
In London, people gathered in Trafalgar Square and outside Buckingham Palace, where they waited for hours to hear the announcement that the war was over. King George VI and Queen Elizabeth came out onto the balcony to greet the crowds, and the princesses Elizabeth and Margaret joined in the celebrations, mingling with the crowds and dancing in the streets. This was what VE Day meant!
The end of the war brought relief and joy to millions of people, but it also marked the beginning of a new era. The devastation of the war had left Europe in ruins, and the process of rebuilding and recovery was just beginning. The Nuremberg trials would soon begin, bringing Nazi leaders to justice for the crimes they had committed. The United Nations would be formed, with the goal of preventing future wars.
Today, VE Day is still celebrated as a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who fought and died in the war, and as a celebration of the triumph of democracy over tyranny. It serves as a reminder that peace is always worth striving for, and that we must work together to ensure that the atrocities of the past are never repeated.
Sources:
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/48201749
- https://news.sky.com/story/ve-day-anniversary-nation-falls-silent-to-mark-75-years-since-the-end-of-wwii-in-europe-11985347
- https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/ve-day-2020-when-bank-holiday-victory-europe-ww2-anniversary-queen-winston-churchill-a9494586.html
- https://www.historyonthenet.com/nuremberg-trials-what-exactly-were-they
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May 10, 2024 <https://www.historyonthenet.com/ve-day-remembering-the-end-of-world-war-ii>
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