| 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 |
|
| Observed by | European states
|
| Type | International |
| Significance | End of World War II in Europe |
| Date | 8 May |
| Frequency | Annual |
| First time | 8 May 1945 |
| Related to | Victory 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.