Happy 75th Victory in Europe Day!

Churchill standing above the crowd at the Ministry 
of Health balcony giving the famous victory sign.

On May 8th of this year the world celebrated the 75th anniversary of VE day. Although celebrations were sadly different from the festivities that had been planned (no parties in the streets or celebratory cream teas with friends and neighbors, this year), there were still many ways to celebrate. Allan Packwood of the National Churchill Museum hosted a webcast with Celia Sandys, Churchill's granddaughter, as a guest; a pianist played the popular World War Two song "We'll Meet Again" in the church of St. Mary which was broadcast all over the UK; and Churchillians everywhere (including me) flashed the iconic "V is for Victory" sign every few minutes while proudly reciting Winston Churchill quotes for all to hear.

I enjoyed VE day under lockdown with tea, a 
Victoria sponge, and cucumber sandwiches.

Although these proceedings aren't quite as nice as the annual celebratory party in Trafalgar Square, they are still a fun and interesting way to remember the end of World War Two. 


Since the recent pandemic has put a slight damper on the festivities, I have noticed many people looking back to the first VE day more than usual. The history is certainly fascinating. After Five years of grueling, strenuous war-time life, the allies (Britain especially, in this case) were ready to let loose and party.

 
Londoners celebrating VE day.

When Hitler was found dead on April 30, 1945, the world knew that it couldn't be long until the Germans surrendered. Indeed, they were only able to hold out for a little more than a week. The Nazi government was crumbling, and under the combined forces of the American and British armies (not to say that the war had been easy to win!), the Axis army wouldn't be able to fight for much  longer. The Imperial War Museum writes, "the news of Germany’s surrender was not surprising. It had been anticipated for some time and people across Britain were on standby to start celebrating the end of the war."



On the afternoon of VE day, Churchill, the King and Queen, Princess Margaret, and Princess Elizabeth, made a surprise appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to wave to the crowd. The princesses were allowed to mingle with the crowd anonymously beforehand, and Princess Elizabeth later recalled, "We stood outside and shouted, 'We want the King'… I think it was one of the most memorable nights of my life.' King George and Churchill would each give a radio broadcast to the nation later that day.

Churchill with the Royal Family at Buckingham Palace on VE day.

My favorite part of the first VE day was Churchill's address to the nation. When all of London turned out onto the streets spontaneously to celebrate (Churchill had predicted this, and had a speech ready), Churchill and his principal colleagues appeared on the balcony of the Ministry of Health, above the crowd. When Churchill declared that "This is your victory" the crowd roared back "No - it's yours." Historian Robert Rhodes James commented, "It was an unforgettable moment of... gratitude." This speech, like all of his orations, summed up the general feeling of the day. Here is an excerpt:

"God bless you all. This is your victory! It is the victory of the cause of freedom in every land. In all our long history we have never seen a greater day than this. Everyone, man or woman, has done their best. Everyone has tried. Neither the long years, nor the dangers, nor the fierce attacks of the enemy, have in any way weakened the independent resolve of the British nation...."

 Enjoy this mp3 excerpt of Churchill giving the speech (note the ecstatic cheering of the crowds!):
Churchill VE Day Celebration Speech Excerpt


Author's note: I have added to the "Charming Churchillian Chartings" map the locations of some of the main celebration points for VE day 1945 in London.


Sources:

"VE Day - 8 May 1945" by the International Churchill Society. winstonchurchill.org/resources/speeches/1941-1945-war-leader/to-v-e-crowds/.

"End of War in Europe" by the International Churchill Society. winstonchurchill.org/resources/speeches/1941-1945-war-leader/end-of-the-war-in-europe/.

"70th Anniversary of VE Day in Europe" by the International Churchill Society. winstonchurchill.org/news-and-events/past-events/70th-anniversary-of-ve-day/.

"Winston Churchill Free Speech Recordings" by the Internet Archive. archive.org/details/Winston_Churchill/1945-05-08_BBC_Winston_Churchill_VE_Day_Celebrations_Ministry_of_Health_Building.mp3

"VE Day: How is it Being Celebrated This Year?" by the British Brodcasting Corperation. /www.bbc.com/news/uk-52557524.

"VE Day: What the end of the war was Like for Those who Were There" by the Guardian. www.theguardian.com/books/2015/may/08/ve-day-what-the-end-of-the-war-was-like-for-those-who-were-there.

Never Give In: The Best of Winston Churchill's Speeches by Winston S. Churchill.

Churchill: Walking With Destiny by Andrew Roberts.

The Churchill Factor by Boris Johnson.

"What you need to know about VE Day" by the Imperial War Museum. www.iwm.org.uk/history/what-you-need-to-know-about-ve-day.

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