Victory in Europe Day

Victory in Europe Day for the year 2023 is celebrated/observed on Monday, May 8th. There are until the next observance.

On May 8, “Victory in Europe Day” commemorates the date when the Allies of World War II formally acknowledged Germany’s unconditional surrender of its armed forces. Did you know that even after Germany, the war’s architect, surrendered, Japan continued to wage war against Allied troops? World War II was the most expensive war in history, with nearly 75 million people killed, cities destroyed, and Europe’s economy decimated. The conflict began with Hitler’s invasion of Poland and ended almost six years later with Japan’s capitulation. Victory in Europe Day is observed as a public holiday in various European nations and is known as V.E. Day and V.E. Day in the United Kingdom and the United States, respectively.

📆 When is Victory in Europe Day?

This year, Victory in Europe Day is on May 8th. It is the 2nd Monday in May; in 2024, it is on Wednesday.

→ Did you know: World War II was fought between the Allies (Britain, France, Russia, China, and the United States) and the Axis (Germany, Italy, and Japan).

You can also see all fun things you didn’t know about and facts about May 8, 2023.

📜 History of Victory in Europe Day

On May 4, British Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery received the unconditional surrender of German forces in the Netherlands, northwest Germany, and Denmark at Luneburg Heath. On May 7, another unconditional military surrender was signed at the SHAEF headquarters in Reims by Supreme Allied Commander General Eisenhower and German General Alfred Jodl. The next day, German Field Marshal William Keitel signed a slightly amended paper—the formal German Instrument of Surrender—at Karlshorst, Berlin.

Following the radio broadcast of the German surrender on May 7, the news immediately traveled across the Western world, and jubilations erupted worldwide, particularly in North America and the United Kingdom. The BBC halted their broadcast to declare Victory in Europe Day a national holiday. Over one million people took to the streets of the United Kingdom to celebrate, with crowds squeezing Trafalgar Square, the Mall, and Buckingham Palace in London. Winston Churchill joined the British Royal Family on the palace balcony, where they waved to the excited crowd.

Victory in Europe Day fell on the same day as President Harry S. Truman’s 61st birthday in the United States. He did, however, dedicate the triumph to his late predecessor, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and the American flag was flown at half-mast. Victory in Europe Day was also observed in Australia, Paris, and Canada, when a riot broke out, killing many people.

☑️ Victory in Europe Day facts

✅ The Holocaust happened
During the war, Hitler’s Germany massacred around six million Jews.

✅ Some countries remained neutral
Countries such as Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland did not take sides throughout the conflict.

✅ It was the bloodiest war
Over 75 million people died because of the war, including 40 million civilians and 20 million soldiers.

✨ Things to do on Victory in Europe Day

⚡ Visit the World War II Memorial
The World War II Memorial was constructed in 2004 to memorialize those who served and perished during WWII. The memorial is in Washington, D.C. You can pay your respects to those who stopped the conflict from crossing our borders by visiting and seeing this place of honor.

⚡ Talk to a World War II veteran
You may commemorate Victory in Europe Day by speaking with a WWII soldier about the war’s raw events. Many of these veterans may be found at senior living facilities. Visiting them will teach you a lot and give you the opportunity to thank them for their sacrifices.

⚡ Watch World War II movies or documentaries
Dedicated to the great battles of World War II, several films are created virtually every decade. Watch classics including “Stalingrad,” “Dunkirk,” “The Dirty Dozen,” “Come and See,” and “Saving Private Ryan” on Victory in Europe Day. Documentaries such as “Battlefield,” “World at Watt,” and “Russia’s War: Blood Upon the Snow” are also available.

📅 Victory in Europe Day Observances

See all May holidays, including Special Interest and other German holidays.

We will continue to update this page with new information and interesting facts about Victory in Europe Day. So be sure to check back soon.