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“This is Your Victory” Amazing Scenes from a London in Jubilation on the Anniversary of VE (Victory over Europe) Day – Pictures and Video Inside

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Today marks the 69th Anniversary of Victory in Europe Day – this is the day that combat officially ended during World War II and is considered the end of the war.

In celebration, London burst into a day and night of euphoria as the British people threw off the shackles of wartime austerity and had a party for the first time since 1939. The bells rang out in celebration after being silenced for the war. The blackouts ended and London was lit up with life again.

First, before we get to the pictures, here’s a short speech from Winston Churchill he made on VE Day – it’s actually one of my favorites of all his speeches. After the pictures, there are a couple old newsreels of the day that are also worth watching.

 

Winston Churchill waves to crowds in Whitehall, London on the day he broadcast the news that the war with Germany was over.
Winston Churchill waves to crowds in Whitehall, London on the day he broadcast the news that the war with Germany was over.
Crowds gathered in celebration at Piccadilly Circus, London during VE Day in 1945.
Crowds gathered in celebration at Piccadilly Circus, London during VE Day in 1945.

 

Civilians and soldiers celebrating in London.
Civilians and soldiers celebrating in London.
A young man holds aloft a large Union Flag amongst the huge crowd of people that has gathered in Whitehall
A young man holds aloft a large Union Flag amongst the huge crowd of people that has gathered in Whitehall
People gathered in Trafalgar Sqaure on VE Day to celebrate the end of WWII in Europe
People gathered in Trafalgar Sqaure on VE Day to celebrate the end of WWII in Europe
Revelers pack Lambeth Walk to celebrate VE Day, the end of WWII in Europe
Revelers pack Lambeth Walk to celebrate VE Day, the end of WWII in Europe
A number 3 double-decker bus slowly pushes its way through the huge crowds gathered in Whitehall to hear Churchill's Victory speech and celebrate Victory in Europe Day
A number 3 double-decker bus slowly pushes its way through the huge crowds gathered in Whitehall to hear Churchill’s Victory speech and celebrate Victory in Europe Day
CWAC Celebrating VE-Day London 1945
CWAC Celebrating VE-Day London 1945

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Injured musicians play while civilians and soldiers do an impromptu dance in the streets on VE Day to celebrate the end of WWII in Europe
Injured musicians play while civilians and soldiers do an impromptu dance in the streets on VE Day to celebrate the end of WWII in Europe
Ground staff at an RAF bomber station in Britain celebrate VE Day, 8 May 1945
Ground staff at an RAF bomber station in Britain celebrate VE Day, 8 May 1945

 

VE Day In London

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The King, Queen, Princess Elizabeth and Churchill Appear on the Buckingham Palace Balcony.
The King, Queen, Princess Elizabeth and Churchill Appear on the Buckingham Palace Balcony.
Celebrations in Piccadilly Circus.
Celebrations in Piccadilly Circus.
People jam London's Piccadilly Circus during celebration of V-E Day May 8, 1945. Some perch atop Eros Statue and one person has climbed a post.
People jam London’s Piccadilly Circus during celebration of V-E Day May 8, 1945. Some perch atop Eros Statue and one person has climbed a post.

 

St Paul's is proudly lit for the first time since the beginning of the war.
St Paul’s is proudly lit for the first time since the beginning of the war.

 

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The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben are proudly lit for the first time since the war started.
The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben are proudly lit for the first time since the war started.

Here is some rare color footage of the celebrations on the day:

Video: Winston Churchill and the Queen on VE day

What a day it must have been! Would love to have been there!

 

 

About jonathan

Jonathan is a consummate Anglophile who launched Anglotopia.net in 2007 to channel his passion for Britain. Londontopia is its sister publication dedicated to everything London.

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Comments

  1. Josie says

    Wonderful, nostalgic photos – I remember it well.
    After celebrating in Trafalgar Square & St. James’s Park I walked all the way home to Hampstead – no buses running that day!! There’ll always be an England – London Pride and all that.

    • Diane Davis says

      Walked all the way to Hampstead, that was a bloody long walk. Didn’t know what I was missing until I moved here USA. Still homesick.

  2. jwashworth says

    Was in Piccadilly hearing being sung from a balcony
    We are going to get lit up when the lights go on in London
    Don’t remember who sang. Does anyone else?
    Then back to the Middlesex Hospital to deal with the injuries from the excitement!!!