VE Day 75 Celebrations

Sunday, 3 May 2020

VE Day 75 Celebrations

VE Day Now and Then

Friday 8th May 2020 marks 75 years since VE Day when the Second World War came to an end in Europe. The long-anticipated news resulted in spontaneous celebrations across the country and a national holiday was declared, when people from all walks of life came together to mark the occasion.

However, the war in the East did not end until 15th August 1945 when Japan finally surrendered. The day was celebrated across the world as Victory over Japan (VJ Day).

To mark this important anniversary, the UK government has designated Friday 8th May 2020 a bank holiday as part of the three-day weekend worldwide celebrations to remember the enormous sacrifices that were made both at home and abroad and to celebrate as people did 75 years ago, the arrival of peace in Europe.

Changing Celebrations

Because of the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic emergency and consequent guidance from Public Health England on mass gatherings, the UK government has announced that plans to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe will now be changed.

For safety reasons, organisers and participants have sadly scaled back, cancelled or postponed the majority of their community celebrations due to take place on the bank holiday weekend of 8th to 10th May.

And to protect the health and wellbeing of the Second World War generation and members of the public, the veterans’ procession down the Mall and the events in St James’s Park will no longer go ahead.

Commemorations

Even with the limitations and restrictions of the Coronavirus lockdown still in place, many residents are planning to unite in celebrating VE Day 75 together at home with their family while safely following government advice on social distancing.

Many of the planned national commemorations will still take place:

The Archbishop of Canterbury will record a special reflection and moment of prayer for VE Day.

His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales will read an extract from King George VI’s diary from 8th May 1945.

Members of The Royal Family, the Prime Minister and the Culture Secretary will take part in video calls with Second World War veterans.

NHS Volunteer Responders will be deployed to give a number of Second World War veterans a call and provide an opportunity to share their stories.

11:00am

The Royal British Legion is calling on everyone across the UK to join in a moment of reflection and remembrance at 11:00am on Friday 8th May, the 75th Anniversary of VE Day, and pause for a Two Minute Silence.

2:55pm

Buglers across the country will play the Last Post.

3:00pm

The Nation’s Toast, paying tribute to all the heroes of the Second World War when a thousand plus pipers will play - please raise your glass.

As part of special BBC programming, extracts from Sir Winston Churchill’s victory speech will recreate the moment peace in Europe was announced 75 years ago and the Prime Minister will speak about the importance of VE Day.

6:55pm

Town Criers across the country will be ‘Crying out for Peace’.

9:00pm

Her Majesty The Queen will send a message to the nation on BBC One, the exact moment her father, King George VI, gave a radio address in 1945.

Followed by a national singalong of Dame Vera Lynn’s ‘We’ll Meet Again’ when the public will be encouraged to open their doors and join in with this national moment of celebration.

However you celebrate, please enjoy your VE Day 75 celebrations at home safely with your family!