Commemorating the Fall of Berlin: V-E Day, May 8, 1945
- Europe
- Berlin
- World War II
- Honorary observance of Victory in Europe Day on 8th May 1945
While V-E Day, or Victory in Europe Day, is commonly associated with May 8, 1945, the events in Berlin unfolded a bit differently. This day marked the culmination of World War II in Europe, but the actual ceremonial surrender occurred at an unexpected hour.
The preliminary surrender was signed during the wee hours of May 7, 1945, in Reims, France. However, due to the time zone differences, it was still considered May 8 in the Western side of the continent.
The formal surrender ceremony in Berlin didn't take place until the early hours of May 9, 1945 (Moscow time), which was technically still May 8, 1945, in the Western time zone. This momentous occasion took place at the Soviet Military Headquarters in Berlin-Karlshorst, where General Wilhelm Keitel put his signature to the unconditional surrender of Germany to the Allied Powers. This marked the conclusion of the war in Europe[1][2].
Although the formal surrender in Berlin happened on May 8, 1945, according to Western time, the worldwide celebrations to mark V-E Day occurred internationally on the same date, as it had been declared a day of celebration across the Allied nations.
- Europe marked the conclusion of World War II on May 8, 1945, although the formal surrender in Berlin occurred in the early hours of May 9 (Moscow time).
- The signed preliminary surrender was on May 7, 1945, in Reims, France, but it was still considered May 8 in the Western side of the continent.
- The formal ceremony happened at the Soviet Military Headquarters in Berlin-Karlshorst, where Germany unconditionally surrendered to the Allied Powers.
- V-E Day, or Victory in Europe Day, is commemorated worldwide on May 8, 1945, despite the specific timeline of events in Berlin.
