What Is VE Day?
VE Day stands for Victory in Europe Day, commemorating the end of World War II in Europe. On 8 May 1945, Germany’s unconditional military surrender took effect across the European theatre. In countries that used Moscow time, the moment fell on 9 May, which is why Russia and several nations of the former Soviet Union mark Victory Day on that date. While celebrations erupted, the war in the Pacific continued until August–September 1945.
The day is often confused with VJ Day (Victory over Japan Day), which marks Japan’s surrender. In the UK and much of the Commonwealth, VJ Day is observed on 15 August; in the United States, the formal surrender ceremony date of 2 September is also widely noted.
What Happened on VE Day Itself?
Scenes of jubilation filled streets and squares across the Allied world. In London, enormous crowds gathered around Buckingham Palace as King George VI and Queen Elizabeth appeared on the balcony with Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Churchill’s address captured the mood: “We may allow ourselves a brief period of rejoicing; but let us not forget for a moment the toil and efforts that lie ahead.” In Paris, bells rang and flags unfurled; in New York, Times Square swelled with celebration. Yet not everyone celebrated—many mourned losses, and millions in Europe still faced displacement, hunger, and the trauma of war and the Holocaust.
Importantly, VE Day did not end global conflict. In Asia and the Pacific, fierce fighting continued until Japan’s surrender in August (announced 15 August; signed 2 September 1945). Rationing, rebuilding, and recovery in Europe would take years; in Britain, food rationing continued in various forms until 1954.
VE Day is both a moment of relief at the end of a devastating war in Europe and a solemn reminder of the human cost. It encourages us to:
Commemorations vary by country and year. In the UK, local communities often organize services of remembrance, museum events, school activities, and neighborhood gatherings with wartime music and bunting. Significant anniversaries (such as the 75th in 2020) may include national moments of reflection, military flypasts, or special broadcasts. France observes 8 May as a national day of remembrance (Fête de la Victoire). Russia and several countries of the former Soviet Union hold major Victory Day events on 9 May. Germany marks the end of the war with solemn remembrance rather than celebration, focusing on reflection and learning.
Note: VE Day is not an annual public holiday in all countries. In the UK, the May bank holiday was moved in 2020 to align with the 75th anniversary; otherwise, observances are usually community-led.
For over five years, Europe was engulfed in a great war which started with the German infiltration of Poland on September 1, 1939. By mid-1941, Adolf Hitler had conquered most of Europe from the Eastern border of Spain to the Western border of the Soviet Union. Italy, under the leadership of Benito Mussolini, formed an alliance with Germany and together they fought against the British and Americans.
While the war with Great Britain continued to grow stronger, Hitler invaded the USSR on the 22nd of June 1941, and later on 11th of December of the same year, he professed war on the US, in honour of a joint agreement he had signed with Japan. The European war and the Japanese War across Europe, Asia and the Southwest Pacific had now become an international conflict – World War II. Following the declaration of War on the US, Americans among other European nations enacted a “Europe first” strategy which meant that all concentration would be placed on defeating Germany and their allies, including their satellites, and instead of issuing the majority of military men and resources to the war in the Pacific they would use them to defeat the Germans in Europe first.
Historically, the term VE Day had been coined as early as September 1944 in expectation of victory. Under Adolf Hitler’s leadership, Soviet troops surrounded Berlin during the battle of Berlin and Hitler decided to commit suicide by gunshot on April 30, 1945. His successor, Grand Admiral Karl Donitz and Joseph Goebbels assumed Hitler’s role as the head of state and chancellor respectively. During, Admiral Donitz’s administration, Germany surrendered under the Flensburg Government to save as many Germans as possible from being captured as prisoners by the Soviet Union. The primary concern of many German Soldiers during this period was to evade the grasp of Soviet forces.
News about the German surrender did not come as a surprise at all, it had been anticipated since 1944 all over Britain. On May 7th, there was an announcement that the war in Europe had come to an end— that the very much expected victory day would be taking place on the following day, May 8th, as a public holiday. Newspapers across Europe ran the headlines as soon as they possibly could and also printed special editions to communicate the much-awaited announcement.
Upon hearing the announcement of the German defeat, celebrations exploded across the western world, especially in North America and Great Britain. Millions of people took to the streets to celebrate the end of the European part of the war; to celebrate a warless future, a future without rationing and loss of their loved ones.
The action of military submission was signed on May 7, 1945, in Reims, France, and May 8, 1945, in Berlin Germany. The German Instrument of surrender indicated that all aggressions were to stop at 23:01 CET on the 8th of May, just one hour before midnight. However, in the European part of the USSR, in most post-Soviet states it was already May 9th due to the 1-hour difference. Hence, VE day is celebrated on May 9th in these areas.
Upon the defeat of Germany, European nations burst into celebrations, millions of people took to the streets, especially in Great Britain and North America to celebrate the end of the six years of the most horrific battle in human history.
In London, groups of people gathered in Trafalgar Square, up to the Mall to Buckingham Palace where they got an opportunity to see King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in the company of Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
In the United States, the Victory of Europe coincidently occurred during President Harry Truman’s 61st birthday. President Truman, dedicated the victory to commemorate his predecessor Franklin D. Roosevelt who had passed away on April 12th. Flags were flown at half-mast for thirty days as a sign of mourning. Despite the uplifting and inspiring tribulation scenes of euphoria on May 8th, both Churchill and Truman reminded people that VE Day signified a war half won as Japan remained unsubdued.
1. British Isles
2. Canada
During the war, Canada was the fourth largest manufacturer of war materials. On VE Day, Canadians celebrated by throwing ticker tapes and other paper materials down windows of businesses. However, riots began in a few cities; the worst was in the Port of Halifax where bars and liquor stores were put on lockdown.
3. Australia and New Zealand
In Australia, VE Day was announced through the Sydney Morning Herald. Although this was a great achievement, the mood in Australia was sombre because of the ongoing war with Japan, which was a significant threat to Australia. People attended a memorial at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne. However, Australian service personnel across the world joined in the celebrations of VE Day.
In New Zealand, headlines of the Victory in Europe was received on May 8th. However, the Prime Minister, Walter Nash, prohibited any festivities pending Winston Churchill’s official declaration of the victory from London. This did not occur until May 9th.
4. France
Charles de Gaulle, a leader of the French forces, made the official announcement of VE Day. The celebration took place two days after this announcement. Today, Victory in Europe Day is also referred to as World War II Victory Day in France. This holiday in some cases coincides with the Feast of Joan of Arc, Armistice and the second Sunday in May.
5. Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg
Thousands of people thronged the streets in celebration of VE Day. In Holland, Dutch flags flew from nearly every house, while in Belgium old buildings of Brussels were illuminated with fireworks and spotlights. Celebrations for this day in Luxembourg were similar to those in Holland and Belgium.
Victory in Europe Day is a commemorative public holiday across Europe which is celebrated on May 8th unless stated otherwise in countries across the globe as shown below:
Countries that celebrate VE Day on May 8th include:
Countries that celebrate VE Day on May 9th include:
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