VE day

VE Day - or 'Victory in Europe Day' - marks the day towards the end of World War Two (WW2) when fighting against Nazi Germany in Europe came to an end.  On 8 May 1945, Prime Minister Winston Churchill made an announcement on the radio at 3pm that the war in Europe had come to an end, following Germany's surrender the day before.

Tuesday 8 May, 1945, was an emotional day that millions of people had been waiting for.  Many people were extremely happy that the fighting had stopped and there were big celebrations and street parties.  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.

Here you will find several ways to learn about the end of World War Two on Victory in Europe Day and ideas to help you commemorate it in your families.

This is the programme of events for Friday 8th May.

• 11am — Two-minute national silence to remember the declaration of victory and the end of the Second World War in Europe.
• 11.15am - British Legion Live Stream on their Facebook page. See below. 
• 2.45pm - 3.45pm — The first of two special BBC One programmes to mark VE75, including extracts from Sir Winston Churchill’s victory speech delivered at 3pm on VE Day.
• Afternoon — Britons encouraged to hold 1940s-style afternoon tea parties at home rather than street parties, including homemade bunting and recipes from the era.
• 9pm — Address by the Queen followed by national doorstep rendition of Dame Vera Lynn’s We’ll Meet Again.

Great British Bunting

The BBC are inviting everyone to make their own special VE Day 75 ‘Great British Bunting’ to display in their window at home.

Click on the link below for instructions and a video. 

You can decorate your bunting with pictures of whatever inspires you, whether it’s those who fought on the frontline or worked hard on the Homefront, or whether it’s a celebration of enduring peace or your own personal hero.  You could hang your bunting around your home or in your window with pride for people out walking to see. 

Please share your photographs on with us on our twitter page using the hashtags  #GreatBritishBunting, #VEDay75 and #BBCMakeaDifference.

Garden Party

Some people had planned street parties to take place over the bank holiday weekend to celebrate VE day like they did 75 years ago.  Unfortunately these can no longer go ahead, however you could still  have an afternoon tea or picnic in your garden.  You could wear clothes that are red, white or blue and put your bunting up.  I would love to see your photos!   Find below a bunting template that you can use.