Figure 1.-- This was part ofthe VE-Day celebration in New York City. Notice the man with a newspaper that hs abanner headline, "NaZIS QUIT". New York perhaps more than any oher American city had large numbers of Americans with roots from the various countries occupied by the NAZIs. By this time in the War even Italy had experienced a NAZI occupation. New York large Jewish population had their worst fears confirmed. But more than anything, VE Day mean that their vrothers and fathers, and husbands would be coming home.

News of the German surrender was immeiately broacast around the world. Celebrations ensued throught Europe--except of course Germany. Celebrations occurred in the major Allied countries. Massive demonstrations spontaeously appeared in London. It was the British definance of Hitler that played a major role in his defeat. More than a million people flooded the streets of London to celbrate. There was a carnival amospher to the celebration which was celebrated by Londoners of all ages. The British still had to make do with rationing which in fact would last several more years even afer the War. But this was their day. The British people and Londoner in particular had eaned this day which was long in coming. The celebration took place in the very city that had defied Hitler's Blitz. Huge crowds appeared in Trafalgur Square and throungs crowded The Mall to Buckingham Palace. Here King George VI and Queen Elizabeth joined by Prime Minister Churchill appeared on the Palace balcony to the cheers of Londoners. Churchill told the cheering crowds, "My dear friends, this is your hour. This is not victory of a party or of any class. It's a victory of the great British nation as a whole. We were the first, in this ancient island, to draw the sword against tyranny. After a while we were left all alone against the most tremendous military power that has been seen. We were all alone for a whole year. ..." Absent from the balcony were Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret. They managed to convince the King to allow them to join the cheering throng where they celebrated anonymously with the people of London. There were big celebrations in the dwn town areas. There were also smaller neighborhood celebrations. In communities throughout britain there were outdoors banquets called block parties that were family celebrations (figure 1). For many of the children it mean that daddy would soon be headed home.American reporter Edward R. Murrow broadcast from Piccadilly Circus just as he had broadcast to America during the Blitz.Joining in on the celebration were large numbers of American service personnel in London. A key part of the victory was the Anglo-American alliance--the most important militry alliance in history. Joyous celebrations occurred in Paris with a parade up the Champs-Elysées. The VE celebrations in America lacked one great figure--President Roosevelt who had played such an important role in being about the Allied victory. President Roosevelt suffered a heart attack shortly before VE Day. President Truman in a radio address to the nation dedicated the victory to the memory of the former president. More raucous celebrations occured in major American cities, especially Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and especially in New York City's Times Square. The Soviets celebrated VE Day a day late on May 9 with a massive parade in Moscow. The Soviet people had paid a terrible price for the victory over the NAZIs. The celebration of that victory continues to be an almost religious event in modern Russia. Stalin was to ride a white stallion in the parade, but at the last minute decided against it because he was afraid of the horse. Marshall Zukkov would ride the sallion, but Stalin never forgave him.

Created: 4:33 AM 10/11/2008
Last updated: 4:22 AM 10/11/2008