VE Day 70th Anniversary
Victory in Europe Day, which is now called VE Day, marks a very important event in World War 2 - the end of the War with Germany.
On the 8th May 1945 Britain's Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, made a radio broadcast announcing that war in Europe was finally at an end. The news was greeted with relief, sadness and pride.
The end of the war in Europe meant people could get on with rebuilding their lives and their homes.
Whole countries lay in ruins, half a million homes were destroyed, and many millions of lives disrupted.
As well as putting an end to the fighting, VE day meant a better quality of life for people living in Europe.
Victory in Europe Day, which is now called VE Day, marks a very important event in World War 2 - the end of the War with Germany.
On the 8th May 1945 Britain's Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, made a radio broadcast announcing that war in Europe was finally at an end. The news was greeted with relief, sadness and pride.
The end of the war in Europe meant people could get on with rebuilding their lives and their homes.
Whole countries lay in ruins, half a million homes were destroyed, and many millions of lives disrupted.
As well as putting an end to the fighting, VE day meant a better quality of life for people living in Europe.
On 8 May 1945 people celebrated VE Day (Victory in Europe Day). Crowds packed the streets, cheering, singing and dancing. Children joined in the fun, waving flags, dressing up and making party hats. There were fireworks and bonfires, speeches and Church services, parades and street parties. Huge crowds, many dressed in red, white and blue, gathered outside Buckingham Palace in London and cheered as the King, Queen and their family came out onto the balcony. Later Churchill was greeted by cheering crowds as he made his way to Whitehall and appeared on the flag-covered balcony of a government building.
VE Day is remembered every year, to remember those who fought for our freedom.