VE Day 75

Victory in Europe Day

On 8 May 1945 church bells rang and people cheered to share their joy- a national day of celebration for the end of the Second World War.

In 2020 instead of commemorating this joyous day with street parties and parades as planned, the world is in lock-down due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

This important moment will not go unacknowledged however, and for many this time of reflection and gratitude will be all the more poignant due to our temporary seeming loss of liberty. A small price to pay for the safety of our loved ones and to protect the NHS.

No matter how we each choose to commemorate the moment, we all join the world in thanking those who came before us; those who made possible the freedoms we currently miss so much. To them we say thank you. To each other we say We'll Meet Again.

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There are so many wonderful ways to enjoy and acknowledge commemorations today. Once you've finished all our activities (and the 50hrs+ of swashbuckling audio adventures from our Regimental Historian Christopher Joll!) why not make the most of:

The National Army Museum's Virtual VE Day Festival with art activities, classic cooking and amazing music;

The  BBC's live radio and television coverage of the day (schedule below) which follows last nights wonderful documentary on Dame Vera Lynn featuring testimony from veterans whose lives she touched.

BBC live events scheduled on Friday

10.50am: A service in Westminster

11.00am: A national moment of remembrance and a two-minute silence

2.45pm: Extracts from Churchill's victory speech to the nation will be broadcast

2.55pm: Solo buglers, trumpeters and cornet players are invited to play the Last Post from their homes

3.00pm: The nation are asked to raise a glass in a national toast, saying: "To those who gave so much, we thank you"

8.00pm: Music special featuring Welsh soprano Katherine Jenkins and Beverley Knight, culminating with a national to sing along to wartime classic We'll Meet Again

9.00pm: The Queen's pre-recorded address will be broadcast on BBC One.

9.30pm: Spotlights will light up the sky in Portsmouth to recall the experience of blackouts during the war and to remind people "that lighter times will come again"

IMAGE SOURCES: BBC news website