VE DAY
by Amy Lawson
1. How was VE Day celebrated?
1.1. How was VE Day celebrated? By the beginning of 1945, the German army had been weakened and defeat looked likely.
1.2. Tuesday 8 May, 1945, was an emotional day that millions of people had been waiting for.
1.3. Many people were extremely happy that the fighting had stopped and there were big celebrations and street parties.
2. How was VE Day celebrated?
2.1. By the beginning of 1945, the German army had been weakened and defeat looked likely.
2.2. Tuesday 8 May, 1945, was an emotional day that millions of people had been waiting for.
2.3. Many people were extremely happy that the fighting had stopped and there were big celebrations and street parties.
3. Huge crowds - with lots of people dressed in red, white and blue - gathered outside Buckingham Palace in London. They cheered as King George VI and his family, including Princess Elizabeth (the current queen) and Princess Margaret, came out onto the balcony to greet everybody.
4. But VE Day was also a moment of great sadness and reflection, as millions of people had lost their lives or loved ones in the conflict. Many had to continue fighting in other battles and lots of people were being kept as prisoners of war abroad.
5. Was VE Day the end of World War Two?
5.1. Even though VE Day marked victory for Europe over Germany, it did not mark the end of World War Two.
5.1.1. In his VE Day announcement, Winston Churchill said: "We may allow ourselves a brief period of rejoicing, but let us not forget for a moment the toil and efforts that lie ahead." Even after 8 May, many soldiers, sailors and pilots were sent to the east to fight against the Japanese, who had not yet surrendered.