Here's to May 8, 1945: A Day to Remember in Berlin
- Europe
- Berlin, Baby
- World War II
Commemorating V-E Day on May 8, 1945 - the day Nazi Germany surrendered, marking an end to World War II in Europe - Memorialization of V-E Day, May 8th, 1945
Growing up, we tend to remember dates for a handful of reasons - birthdays, wedding anniversaries, or that one epic night out that left us with stories for the ages. But there's one date that we should all know by heart - May 8, 1945. Kick the boots off and let's dive into why.
On this fateful day, history was made in Berlin, the city that had borne the brunt of World War II's horrors. In the twilight hours, German Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel put pen to paper, signing the unconditional surrender of the German military, affectionately known as the Act of Military Surrender. This momentous event went down at the Soviet Military Headquarters in Karlshorst.
But here's where things get a bit tricky, time-wise - May 8 was already May 9 in Moscow due to the time difference. So, who zoned out on the couch savoring that sweet victory champagne toast? The Western Allies! They declared this day as Victory in Europe Day (V-E Day), marking the official end of hostilities in Europe after a mind-numbing six years of war. But the Soviet Union held out till May 9, calling it Soviet Victory Day, so they could join the celebration while still being technically right due to that pesky time difference.
Now, you might be thinking - "wait a sec, the war's over in Europe, but there's still a war going on in the Pacific?" Yep, you got it! The fight against Japan was far from over, leaving Allied forces with a divided victory and the ongoing task of putting the pieces of the world back together.
News of Germany's surrender ignited celebrations across Europe and throughout the globe. The streets ran wild with joyous spirits, hoping that the darkness cast by the Nazis was finally fading into the night.
So, here's a beer's worth of thanks to May 8, 1945, for being a beacon of hope in a world that had been utterly decimated by war. Now, let's all agree to never forget the price paid to reach that day, and the importance of our actions today in shaping the world of tomorrow.
- Europe, especially Berlin, commemorates May 8, 1945, as it marks the end of World War II in Europe with the Act of Military Surrender signed by German Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel.
- The day is popularly known as Victory in Europe Day (V-E Day) by the Western Allies, marking the official end of hostilities in Europe after six long years of war.
- Despite May 8, 1945, being celebrated as V-E Day, the Soviet Union maintained its official celebration on May 9, 1945, due to the time difference, with the day being called Soviet Victory Day.
- The global community remembers May 8, 1945, as a symbol of hope, having witnessed the streets of Europe erupt in joyous celebrations after years of darkness cast by the Nazis, even though the war in the Pacific continued.
