Victory in Europe Day Date in the current year: May 8, 2024

Victory in Europe Day, also known as V Day, VE Day or V-E Day, was established to commemorate the formal acceptance by the Allies of Nazi Germany’s unconditional surrender. The term, however, was coined as early as September 1944, in anticipation of the Allied victory. The defeat of Nazi Germany became evident on April 30, 1945, when Adolf Hitler and several of his followers committed suicide two days before the Battle of Berlin ended.

Hitler’s successor, Admiral Karl Dönitz, headed a new administration referred to as the Flensburg Government and authorized the surrender of Germany. The German Instrument of Surrender was signed in Reims, France on May 7. However, the Soviet Union had some objections concerning both the text of the document and the ceremony. Therefore, the final version of the Instrument was signed in Berlin, Germany on May 8.

The military surrender act came into effect at 23:01 p.m. Central European Time. In the Soviet Union, it was already past midnight, therefore most countries celebrate Victory in Europe Day on May 8, but the majority of the ex-Soviet republics celebrate Victory Day on May 9. Israel also observes V-E Day on May 9 because of a large number of immigrants from the former Soviet Union.

The defeat of Germany was celebrated throughout the Western world, from the Soviet Union to the United States. One of the most massive celebrations took place in the UK capital of London. More than a million people gathered in Trafalgar Square and up the Mall to Buckingham Palace, where the royal family and Winston Churchill greeted the cheering crowds from the balcony. Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret were allowed to celebrate incognito with the people.

In the United States, the Allied victory coincided with President Harry Truman’s 61st birthday. He dedicated it to the memory of Franklin D. Roosevelt, his predecessor, who had died on April 12, less then a month before the victory. Massive celebrations took place in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, and especially in Times Square in New York.

Countries where Victory in Europe Day is a public holiday include the Czech Republic and Slovakia (where it is referred to as Liberation Day) as well as France and its overseas territories (French Guiana, French Polynesia, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, New Caledonia, Réunion, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Martin, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Wallis and Futuna). Most other European countries celebrate their own Liberation Days, commemorating the end of Nazi occupation.

Although Victory in Europe Day was an important milestone, it didn’t mark the end of the war. The Japanese government refused to surrender, so the war continued in the Pacific theatre until Japan’s surrender in August 1945.