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FOR ALL AGES
Where is Victory in Europe Day celebrated?
Victory in Europe Day is celebrated throughout Europe, Russia, and the US to commemorate Germany's surrender. The celebrations are marked by parades across the countries to honor the memories of those who died during the hostilities of the war.
In Europe, Austria, France, Poland, and the United Kingdom commemorate Victory in Europe Day with celebrations of Germany's surrender. In Germany, those who surrendered at the end of war pay tribute to the dead and promise never to repeat such atrocities and terrible events, learning a lesson from the past.
Victory in Europe Day was first celebrated on May 8, 1945, following the surrender of Nazi Germany, thereby marking an end to the bloody and brutal second world war.
As soon as the formal end to the second world war was marked, British President Winston Churchill called for a Victory In Europe Day in a special speech broadcasted from Downing Street on May 8, 1945.
May 8 in 1945 was of utmost significance to Europeans and in the US as the day dotted several historical events. On this day, the armed forces of the Axis Powers surrendered, marking an official end to the six-year-long bloody war that history has ever witnessed. On April 30, Adolf Hitler, the leader of Nazi Germany, committed suicide during the Battle of Berlin as Germany was losing ground against the allied powers.
However, this was not an authorized end to war. The President of Germany, Karl Donitz, heading the Flensburg government, authorized Germany to surrender to the allied armies. The acts conforming to this were signed on May 7 and on May 8 in Reims and Berlin, respectively. When many European countries and the US celebrate Victory in Europe Day on the May 8, several East European countries and Russia celebrate this day on May 9 every year.
People on this day attend local military parades in European and East European countries and watch the nightly fireworks. Every year, on this day, Russian military forces display their excellence and pride at the parade in Moscow’s Red Square. TV networks on this day broadcast movies related to the second world war, and people applaud the bravery of European military forces. This is also a day to avoid another devastating war in the future. People lay flowers and wreaths in the war-memorial sites to honor the valiant veterans. Wartime songs and poetry are sung in schools.
If you happen to be in Moscow or have plans to backpack around this time of the year, then do not miss out on the military parade at the Red Square in Moscow.
This day, local veteran organizations of the ‘once-allied’ countries conduct events. Take part in them and honor the soldiers who devoted their life to nations.
Visit local memorial sites and heritages and lay wreaths or flowers to pay tribute to the brave hearts. Let children know the courageous deeds of soldiers. This will impart the values of patriotism in them.
Watch movies like the ‘Great Patriotic War’ with the second world war as its theme.
On Victory in Europe Day, people attend military parades, watch night fireworks and war-themed movies and visit memorial sites to pay tribute to the war veterans.
The French celebrate Victory on Europe Day with ceremonies, parades, and church ceremonies. Millions of people attend these celebrations and the day is marked by a festive atmosphere in the country.
The significance of Victory in Europe Day is that the day honors and pays tribute to war veterans for their valiance. It is also a day to pledge for a peaceful world that witnesses no war in the future. This is the reason that an increasing number of individuals have started observing celebrations across the world.
Victory in Europe Day began to be celebrated every year on the January 18, after the then British President Winston Churchill confirmed the unconditional surrender of nazi Germany to the allied powers, marking an end to the second world war.
The day affects people psychologically and emotionally to revisit the memories of a war that wreaked havoc and tribulations in the whole world. This helps the people understand the history related to this day and take corrective actions wherever possible.
| Date | Day |
|---|---|
| May 08, 2020 | Friday |
| May 08, 2021 | Saturday |
| May 08, 2022 | Sunday |
| May 08, 2023 | Monday |
| May 08, 2024 | Wednesday |
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