Celebrate The 80th Anniversary Of VE Day With 8 Fascinating Facts

Today marks the 80th anniversary of VE Day so we’ve picked our top 8 facts to celebrate!

Facts About VE Day…Did You Know?

• VE Day stands for “Victory in Europe Day”; it celebrates the surrender of Nazi Germany during World War II. Today is the 80^th anniversary of this date.
• The unconditional surrender was formalised by the signing of the German Instrument of Surrender - but there were actually two versions and signings of the document. The first took place in Reims, France, where the document was signed by General Alfred Jodl at 02:41am on 7^th May 1945, announcing the surrender of all German forces, as of 11:01pm.
• The Soviet High Command rejected the first document and so a second version was created. A lot of drafting, translating, and retyping was required before agreement was reached. The document was officially dated at 9:20pm on the 8^th May but it was actually nearly 1am on 9^th May when it was signed.
• News of the Act of Surrender spread rapidly – thanks to some over-eager journalists. A number of journalists attended the first signing of the Act of Surrender but agreed to a 36-hour embargo once it became clear that a second signing was required. The idea was that a delay would allow the Allied Powers to hold a single national day of celebration (VE Day). However, Edward Kennedy of the Associated Press news agency in Paris broke the embargo on 7^th May. The Western Allies moved their celebrations forward a day (although formal proclamations of Victory were delayed to later in the day to coincide with the second signing). This is why some countries celebrate VE Day on 8^th May and others on 9^th May – although time differences also played a part.
• In the UK, news of the surrender was broadcast by radio late on the 7^th May, which led to early celebrations breaking out across the country – including bonfires, fireworks, and many a visit to the pub. It is estimated that, by midnight, around 50,000 people had crowded into Piccadilly Circus. Music blared from gramophones, accordions, and barrel organs, while licensing hours were extended to allow pubs and dance halls to remain open longer.
• On 8^th May, there were huge gatherings across the world. In the UK, millions took to the streets and street parties took place all over the country. Prime Minister Winston Churchill formally announced the news at 3pm in national radio broadcast, later making an appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace with the Royal Family (the Royal Family themselves would make eight appearances on the balcony that day, while King George VI also addressed the public in a radio broadcast). Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret were given permission to secretly leave the palace so they could participate in the celebrations anonymously.
• The streets were filled with flags and colourful bunting – with special permission being issued so people could purchase red, white, and blue materials without using up precious ration coupons. Some companies even had time to start producing commemorative items, including VE Day mugs, while a number of pubs and restaurants created special “victory” menus for the occasion. At St Paul’s Cathedral in London, ten services giving thanks for peace were held consecutively, with thousands of people attending each one.
• VE Day actually only marks the end of the European part of the World War; fighting in the Pacific and Far East continued until Japan announced their surrender on 15^th August 1945 (known as VJ Day – Victory Over Japan Day or VP Day – Victory in the Pacific Day). World War II didn't officially end until 2^nd September when a formal written declaration of surrender was written and signed by Japan – six years and one day after Germany invaded Poland, triggering the start of the war.

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