Generally known as V-E Day or VE Day, 8 May 1945 is the date on which occurred the end of hostilities between Allies and Nazi Germany, with an unconditionally surrender of German armed forced.

The eighth of May spelled the day when German troops throughout Europe finally laid down their arms in many european cities such as Prague, Oslo, Copenhagen. In this day, more surrender documents were signed in Berlin and in eastern Germany, with a final cease-fire. The unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany in Europe ends a six-year conflict that has left tens of millions dead. However, the Soviet government announced the victory early on 9 May, after the signing ceremony in Berlin.

World War II was the largest and most violent armed conflict in the history of mankind. Cities in both nations, as well as formerly occupied cities in Western Europe, put out flags and banners, rejoicing in the defeat of the Nazi war machine. Add to this the memory of the victims of war, through commemorations and tributes. The war has became a topic of great importance in cinema, literature, history lessons at school, the mass media, and the arts. The ritual of the celebration gradually obtained a distinctive character with a number of similar elements: ceremonial meetings, speeches, lectures, receptions and fireworks.

 

“Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in, except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.” Winston Churchill

 

 

 

 

 

 

Claudio SANNA