Latest news with #AlliedNations
Leader Live
12-05-2025
- General
- Leader Live
Llangollen's poignant service for 80th anniversary of VE Day
The events marked the unconditional surrender of Nazi German troops across Europe to the Allies in World War II on May 8, 1945 sparking widespread celebrations across the war-weary Allied Nations. On Thursday (May 8), the Llangollen branch of the Royal British Legion hosted a service of commemoration in Centenary Square. Prayers were said by Father Lee Taylor from St Collen's Church and there were readings from Legion branch chairman Mike Adams and member Tug Wilson. TOP STORIES Flags were lowered by a standard party and the traditional minute's silence was observed. The service ended with the sounding of Last Post. Immediately afterwards on the library steps, a civic party led by the Town Mayor, Cllr Aled Morris, and town crier Austin Cheminais read proclamations signifying the end of the Second World War in Europe 80 years ago. The Town Hall frontage was then floodlit in patriotic red, white and blue.
Russia Today
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Trump proclaims US WWII Victory Day
President Donald Trump has officially proclaimed May 8 as a national day to celebrate victory in World War II, emphasizing the United States' contribution as decisive – while completely ignoring the Soviet Union's role and sacrifice in defeating Nazi Germany. In his proclamation issued by the White House on Wednesday, Trump claimed that 'without the sacrifice of our American soldiers, this war would not have been won, and our world today would look drastically different.' 'On this Victory Day for World War II, we celebrate the unmatched might, strength, and power of the American Armed Forces, and we commit to protecting our sacred birthright of liberty against all threats, foreign and domestic,' the US president wrote, emphasizing that 'more than 250,000 Americans lost their lives' fighting for the 'survival of Western civilization.' Trump previously announced plans to designate November 11 as 'Victory Day for World War I,' a move that would effectively rename Veterans Day – a federal holiday honoring all US military veterans. The White House later clarified that such declarations would not create new public holidays without congressional approval. Trump's push to 'start celebrating our victories again' has drawn criticism from Russia and even some Allied nations, who accused him of distorting historical facts. General Lord Dannatt, former chief of the General Staff in the UK – which lost about 450,700 people in the war – called Trump's remarks 'extraordinary' and accused him of 'rewriting history.' Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, now deputy chairman of his country's Security Council, dismissed the remarks as 'pretentious nonsense.' 'Our people gave 27 million lives of their sons and daughters for the sake of destroying damned fascism,' he wrote. 'Victory Day is ours and it is on May 9. That's how it was, is, and always will be!' Russia is grateful to the US for its support during WWII, but the USSR would have defeated Nazi Germany even without the assistance – though 'it would have been very difficult,' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said last week. The Soviet Union received aid valued at around $200 billion in today's terms through the Lend-Lease program – a US government initiative that provided allies with military supplies, equipment, food, and strategic raw materials. The assistance, however, was not free. Russia, as the USSR's successor state, completed its financial obligations related to the Lend-Lease program only in 2006. Nazi Germany officially surrendered to the Allied forces on May 8, 1945, following the capture of Berlin by Soviet troops. The capitulation took effect after midnight in Moscow. May 8 is observed as Victory in Europe Day, while Russia commemorates the occasion on May 9.
Leader Live
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Where VE Day celebrations will take place in Flintshire and Wrexham
The events will mark the unconditional surrender of Nazi German troops across Europe to the Allies in World War II on May 8, 1945 sparking widespread celebrations across the war-weary Allied Nations. Outside Europe, the war continued until Japan became the final Axis power to surrender later that year on September 2. This is how Flintshire and Wrexham will celebrate the milestone, which officially takes place on Thursday, May 8. In Wrexham, commemorations will begin with a service of remembrance at St Giles' Church at 12.30pm on Thursday, May 8. From 1.15pm the city centre will see the military associations of Wrexham parade their Standards through the city centre streets. The parade will be led by the Royal Welch Fusiliers Volunteer Corps of Drums - who have been honoured with the freedom of the city since 1946. It will march along Hope Street, on to Queen's Street, Queen's Square, Lambpit Street and Chester Street. When the march reaches the Crown Buildings there will be a salute before turning right onto Bodhyfryd where the parade will halt. While the Wrexham Salvation Army band plays there will be a wreath laying ceremony before the parade concludes and participants retire to the War Memorial Club. A free VE Day event will take place in Rhosllanerchrugog at the Hafod Colliery Social Club on Broad Street on Saturday, May 3. Everyone is welcome to attend between with a fantastic array of activities to keep young ones entertained between 12.30pm and 6pm, including a barbecue, games, fun fair rides, bouncy castle and stalls. Then, between 6pm and 11.30pm, the celebrations will continue for the adults with a cash bingo, open bar and live singer Dom Henderson who will perform from 9pm. Mold Town Council will be hosting an event at the Daniel Owen Centre with World War II-era music displays from Rhydymwyn Valley History Society and period military vehicles on display. There will also be performances from Mold Town Concert band, singer Sharon Wallace and the band CanCan plus free hot refreshments. Meanwhile Flint Town Council will begin its commemoration with a proclamation on St Mary and St David's Parish Church steps at 9am before showcasing wartime memorabilia and art and poetry related to the conflict by local school pupils at the town hall. There will also be a fish and chip lunch at noon before, in the evening, a beacon on the Flintshire coastal path in Flint will be lit to symbolize the 'light of peace'. Buckley Cricket Club will be hosting VE Day event on Sunday, May 4. They have 'lots of activities planned' and a barbecue will be lit. The bar will be open and music will be playing. The action on field will be a North Wales representative team match. St Peter's Church in Holywell will mark the occasion with a 1940's celebration lunch from midday on Bank Holiday Monday (May 5). If you know of further VE Day celebrations taking place in Flintshire and Wrexham, please let us know by emailing news@
