07-05-2025
Remembering VE Day and how we celebrated the defeat of Germany
Sisters Betty Toman, 93, and Elsie Cowx were all smiles during the VE Day party at Catherine Mill in Whitehaven in 2015 (Image: Mike McKenzie)
Tomorrow marks the 80th anniversary of VE Day, and we're remembering this momentous occasion that marked a critical point in the Second World War.
Residents of Catherine Mill in Whitehaven enjoyed a party to celebrate VE Day in 2015 (Image: Mike McKenzie)
VE (or Victory in Europe) Day marked the formal acceptance by the Allies of Germany's unconditional surrender of its armed forces in 1945, signalling the official cessation of all German military operations.
Sandra Victoria Prince celebrated her 70th birthday at Gilsland Spa, where she was born on VE Day (Image: Newsquest)
On May 25, 1945, the Battle of Odžak ended in a Yugoslav Partisan victory marking the end of the Second World War in Europe. On the Eastern Front, the last known shots were fired on May 11.
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Distington School pupils and staff had a big street party to re-enact the celebrations held around the country on VE Day (Image: Newsquest)
Russia and some former Soviet countries celebrate on May 9, as Germany's unconditional surrender entered into force at 23.01 on May 8 Central European Summer Time; this corresponded with 00.01 on May 9 in Moscow Time.
Head Rebecca Stacey leads the pupils around the maypole at Castle Carrock School's VE Day Celebrations (Image: Newsquest)
Several countries observe public holidays on the day each year, also called Victory Over Fascism Day, Liberation Day, or Victory Day. In the UK it is often abbreviated to VE Day, a term which existed as early as September 1944, in anticipation of victory.
VE Day civic event with the British Legion at the Civic Centre in Carlisle (Image: Newsquest)
Adolf Hitler, the Nazi leader, had committed suicide on April 30 during the Battle of Berlin, and Germany's surrender was authorised by his successor, Reichspräsident Karl Dönitz.
Joe Baldwin 10, and Grace Elder, 11, take part in VE Day celebrations at Castle Carrock School (Image: Newsquest)
Upon the defeat, celebrations erupted throughout the Western world, especially in the United Kingdom, in North America and in the USSR. More than one million people celebrated in the streets throughout the UK to mark the end of the European part of the war.
Distington School pupil Layla Nicol reads a paper from the war during the school's VE Day celebrations (Image: Newsquest)
In London, crowds massed in Trafalgar Square and up the Mall to Buckingham Palace, where King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, accompanied by their daughters and prime minister Winston Churchill, appeared on the balcony of the palace before the cheering crowds. Churchill went from the palace to Whitehall, where he addressed another large crowd.
Afternoon tea was held at the Millom Pensioners Hall to celebrate 70 years of the occupation of the hall and commemorate the 70th anniversary of VE Day (Image: Newsquest)
