V-E Day: Victory in Europe Over Nazi Germany
- Europe
- Berlin
- World War II
Commemorate the day of the 8th of May in 1945, a significant historical event... - Celebration of V-E Day, Marking the End of World War II in Europe on May 8, 1945
Step back in time to May 8, 1945, as it marked the end of Europe's struggle during World War II. This momentous day stood as the official end of WWII in the European theater, following Germany's unconditional surrender to the Allied forces.
Prelude to Victory
- The Fall of the Führer: Adolf Hitler took his own life as the Allies closed in on Berlin on April 30, 1945[4].
- Multiple Surrenders: Allied forces were picking up victories all over Europe. For example, on April 29, German and Italian forces in Italy and western Austria surrendered at the Palace of Caserta[1]. Another surrender took place on May 4, with German forces giving up in northwestern Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands[1].
Surrender Papers
- Reims Surrender: On May 7, 1945, General Dwight D. Eisenhower's headquarters in Reims, France, hosted the signing of the Act of Military Surrender by Alfred Jodl[4].
- Berlin Surrender: At the Soviet Union's request, a second surrender document was signed in Berlin on May 8, 1945. German Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel put his signature to this document, officially marking the cessation of hostilities throughout Europe[1][4].
Berlint's Relief
- End of Struggle: The Berlin surrender symbolized the termination of almost six years of grueling warfare in Europe, providing much-needed relief to the city and its traumatized residents.
- Soviet Triumph: The Soviet Union marked May 9 as their Victory Day, as the Berlin signing took place after midnight on May 9 in Moscow time[1][4].
World's Response
- V-E Day celebrations erupted throughout the world, including in the U.S., where President Harry Truman addressed the nation to announce Germany's surrender[4].
- This moment was bittersweet, as people began to deal with the shocking discoveries in Nazi concentration camps[1].
- Europe, specifically Berlin, witnessed a significant relief on the 8th of May, 1945, marking the end of their brutal struggle during the second world war.
- The Berlin surrender, officially signed on the 8th of May, 1945, symbolized the termination of almost six years of grueling warfare in Europe, providing much-needed reprieve to the city and its traumatized residents.
- In main politics and general-news, the commemoration of V-E Day, the Victory in Europe over Nazi Germany, was a significant event on the 8th of May, 1945.
- The h2 World's Response to the commemoration of V-E Day was filled with relief and bittersweet feelings, as people began to deal with the shocking discoveries in Nazi concentration camps.
