Victory in Europe Day

Victory in Europe Day
Winston Churchill waving to the crowds in Whitehall on 8 May celebrating the end of the war, showing the V of Victory
Also called
  • VE Day
  • V-E Day
Observed by
European states
Full list see below
TypeInternational
SignificanceEnd of World War II in Europe
Date8 May
FrequencyAnnual
First time8 May 1945; 79 years ago (8 May 1945)
Related toVictory over Japan Day, Victory Day (9 May) and Europe Day

Victory in Europe Day is the day celebrating the formal acceptance by the Allies of World War II of Germany's unconditional surrender of its armed forces on Tuesday, 8 May 1945; it marked the official end of World War II in Europe in the Eastern Front, with the last known shots fired on 11 May.

Russia and some former Soviet countries celebrate on 9 May, as Germany's unconditional surrender entered into force at 23:01 on 8 May Central European Summer Time; this corresponded with 00:01 on 9 May in Moscow Time.

Several countries observe public holidays on the day each year, also called Victory Over Fascism Day, Liberation Day, or Victory Day. In the UK it is often abbreviated to VE Day, a term which existed as early as September 1944,[1] in anticipation of victory.

  1. ^ Harper, Douglas. "VE Day". Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved 12 March 2016.