80th Anniversary of VE Day

Victory in Europe Day, or VE Day for short, was a day of celebration. The Nazi’s had been defeated!

The 2nd World War began in September 1939, when Germany invaded Poland. It lasted 6 long years, ending in 1945. The world was fighting the Nazi’s from Germany and also the Japanese, who both wanted to build Empires and take over the countries surrounding it. It was a terrible war. 

In Europe this county, along with the other ‘Allies’ were fighting Hitler and the Nazis. They invaded many countries in Europe and wanted to invade many more, including this country. They killed many soldiers in battle. They bombed cities using aeroplanes over head and missiles, a type of rocket. They killed millions of Jews.

The 2nd World War had affected every single person living in this country over those 6 years. Life completely changed. 

VE Day was the day everyone was waiting for. Hitler had died and the rest of the Nazi’s finally surrendered. The war in Europe was over! People gathered together all over the country to celebrate. People danced in the street. They had parties, they waited to be reunited with their family members who had been away fighting. In London, the King and Winston Churchill appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. 

The war in Europe had ended. Sadly the war in Asia did continue for 3 more months. Finally on the 15th August 1945 the Japanese surrendered too. It was called VJ Day, or Victory in Japan Day. The 2nd World War was finally totally over.