Celebrating Liberation: How the World Honors the End of World War II
Countries' Commemoration of Liberation Day Marking End of World War II - Countries' Commemorations of VE Day: A Look at Liberation Anniversary Celebrations Globally
Hey there! Let's dive into how various countries honor the conclusion of the dark chapter that was World War II in Europe.
The end was in sight on May 8, 1945, when Adolf Hitler's suicide sparked a series of events that ultimately led to the unconditional surrender of Germany. Grand Admiral Karl Dönitz took the reins, and on May 7, General Field Marshal Alfred Jodl signed the surrender on Dönitz's behalf in the Allied headquarters in Reims. However, Soviet leader Joseph Stalin demanded a repeat ceremony, which took place on May 9 in the Soviet zone. Today, May 8 and 9 are celebrated as "Victory Day" in France, the UK, and Russia, respectively.
Moreover, several countries mark their own "Liberation Day." Denmark, for example, honors May 4, while the Netherlands celebrates "Liberation Day" on May 5. Italy commemorates "Liberation Day" on April 25.
Historically, Germany did not recognize May 8 as a memorial or public holiday for years due to associations with defeat, expulsion, and occupation. In the late 1960s and 1970s, this started to change as May 8 shifted from being seen as a symbol of defeat to a day of liberation from the inhuman system of Nazi tyranny. Today, it is marked as a public holiday only in Berlin, not in the other federal states.
In the former German Democratic Republic (GDR), May 8 was celebrated as "Day of Liberation of the German People from Hitler Fascism" from 1950 to 1966 and, once more, in 1985.
As the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II is upon us, some are looking beyond traditional observances. The Left party in Germany has advanced a proposal to make May 8 a nationwide public holiday called the "Day of Liberation." This year, Berlin is electing to mark the anniversary as a public holiday.
Moreover, the United Nations held a special solemn meeting to commemorate all victims of World War II, involving representatives from countries such as Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, not typically associated with the war. This demonstrates the multinational effort to remember and honor the sacrifices made during the war, highlighting the global impact of the conflict.
The American Battle Monuments Commission plays a vital role in commemorating U.S. involvement in World War II by maintaining cemeteries and memorials in 17 countries, with events like Victory in Europe Day being a crucial part of their mission.
So there you have it! The world comes together in various ways to honor the sacrifices made during World War II and to remember the importance of peace, freedom, and unity.
Sources: DPA, Federal Agency for Civic Education, State Agency for Civic Education Baden-Württemberg, ntv, Editorial Network Germany, bornholm.info, Danmarks Radio, Rijksoverheid, NPO, "Go! Go! France," "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung," "Metro," "Historic UK," Festival of Joy.
Images: Second World War, Day of Liberation, Europe, Russia, Public Holiday.
- The Community policy and Employment policy in the UK may not acknowledge May 8 as a memorial or public holiday, given its associations with defeat, expulsion, and occupation, unlike in Berlin.
- The Wehrmacht, the ground forces of the German armed forces during World War II, did not participate in the celebratory ceremonies that marked the end of the war, given their defeat during the conflict.
- In the United Nations, representatives from various countries such as Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, who are not typically associated with World War II, take part in solemn meetings to commemorate all victims of the war.
- The observance of May 8, now referred to as the "Day of Liberation," is gaining momentum in politics, as demonstrated by the proposal made by the Left party in Germany, aiming to establish it as a nationwide public holiday.
