VE (Victory in Europe) Day:PowerPoint Presentation

We may allow ourselves a brief period of rejoicing.

Victory in Europe Day - May 8th 1945

Victory in Europe (VE) Day8th May 1945

By early May it was clear that the war in Europe was coming to an end

On 30th April 1945, with Berlin surrounded,

Adolf Hitler committed suicide.

His named successor was Grand Admiral Karl Dönitz.

People across Britain were on standby to start celebrating the

end of the war.

The news of Germany’s surrender was not surprising.

It had been expected for some time.

On May 4th the German Army surrendered to Field Marshall Montgomery at Luneberg Heath, near Hamburg

At 3pm on 8th May 1945, The Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, announced VE Day to the world. Click his picture to listen:

Hostilities will end officially at one

minute after midnight tonight…The

German war is therefore at an end.

Our gratitude to our splendid Allies

goes forth from all our hearts in this

Island and throughout the British

Empire.

We may allow ourselves a brief

moment of rejoicing…but let us not

forget the toil and efforts that lie

ahead.

Advance, Britannia! Long live the

cause of freedom!’

Later that day, when Churchill told the crowds,

This is your victory.

The crowds shouted back:

No it’s yours.

London crowds gathered to see Churchill and the Royal Family

Large crowds gathered around Buckingham Palace, shouting:

We want the King! We want the King!

We want the King! The official end of the conflict in Europe was 8 May 1945. VE Day was celebrated in the streets of London with large crowds gathering at Buckingham Palace, calling for the King to come out onto the balcony.

In all, the Royal Family made eight balcony appearances during the day. The Princesses were allowed to walk unnoticed through the streets around the Palace. They were in the crowds when the King and Queen made a final appearance on the balcony.

Britain Celebrated Victory

Relief was felt across the country

A housewife wrote in her diary,

I cried when I heard the news, I can’t grasp the fact that it’s all over.

We’ve been bombed out twice and we’ve got no roof over our heads only a tarpaulin.

My boys home on leave after being away for nearly five years, but I don’t care what happens. I’m glad to of the opportunity to relieve my pent up feelings.

Street parties united neighbourhoods. Bunting was hung and pots of tea were shared.

Children wore paper hats, played games, sang songs

and felt jubilant, however briefly after six long years.

And Scotland celebrated all day and night!

Street parties or ‘Peace Teas’ were held in every town

and city, with sandwiches and

tea given to children.

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Many towns held street parades like this one inDumbarton, 8th May 1945You can watch it by clicking below:

George Square in Glasgow on VE Day

VE Day celebrations in George Square, May 1945

George Square was bursting with excitement

Tommy Mac, a young boy during the war, remembers VE Day in Glasgow:

I was 14 years old and I grabbed the hand of an older girl who became

my companion for the day.

We made our way to the main celebrations in George Square.

The tram cars in Hope Street were filled with servicemen of all nationalities -

American, Canadian, Australian, European; all singing and dancing.

Everyone was dancing an ‘eightsome reel’ – Scotland’s national

dance. Music came from the old Glasgow Daily Record building – who

also supplied the lighting for the parade.

To see the lights go on again in George Square was a miracle in itself!

George Square lights up in celebration

of VE Day, May 9, 1945

Herald - May 11th 1945

On 11th May The Glasgow Herald reported:‘Three tons of empty bottles found in George Square’

The Glasgow Herald also reported:

‘Dutchman thanks Scots for his freedom’

A sailor of the Royal Netherlands Navy lampooned Hitler from the top of the Duke of Wellington statue in Exchange Square.

An admiring crowd applauded his buffoonery.

It was equally responsive when the Dutchman, changing his mood from gay to serious, made a short speech in broken English and thanked,

The Scots for the brave part they had played in the liberation of my country.

Princes Street in Edinburgh on VE Day

In Edinburgh, there was dancing in Princes St

Gardens, street parades and a Thanksgiving

Ceremony at Mercat Cross.

But not everyone got a holiday!

A Glasgow woman noted in her diary:

The doctor pronounced that VE day would not be a holiday at Glasgow Royal

infirmary.

Outpatients will still have to be open … babies have

to be washed and fed.

By nightfall on VE Day, victory could be seen and heard in the air!

On the Clyde, ships hooters gave the V-sign in Morse Code,

‘…the air was alive with the roar’

Two searchlights made the V-sign above

St Paul’s Cathedral in London

BRITISH DEAD 1939 – 1945

But VE Day had come at a cost

Army 146,350 Royal Air Force 72,700

Royal Navy 51,100 Civilians 64,000

It meant an end to nearly six years of a war that had cost the

lives of millions; had destroyed homes,

families, and cities; and had brought huge suffering

to the populations of entire countries.

Six long years

Sadly, fighting would continue on the Pacific front for another four months

How will your school be celebrating VE Day 75?

We would love to know!

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