On May 8, 1945, Allied nations celebrated Victory in Europe (V-E) Day, marking the official end of World War II in Europe. The previous day, Field Marshal Alfred Jodl had signed Germany's unconditional surrender document at Supreme Allied Headquarters in Reims, France, followed by a formal ratification ceremony in Berlin signed by Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel.
Adolf Hitler had committed suicide in his underground Fuhrerbunker in Berlin on April 30 as Soviet forces advanced through the city. His successor, Grand Admiral Karl Donitz, authorized the capitulation as German defenses completely collapsed across all remaining fronts under overwhelming Allied pressure.
Millions of people poured into the streets of London, Paris, New York, and Moscow to celebrate the collapse of Nazi tyranny. However, Allied leaders cautioned that full world peace remained unachieved while the Pacific War against Imperial Japan continued.
Why it matters
V-E Day brought an end to nearly six years of devastating war in Europe, which had claimed tens of millions of military and civilian lives. It marked the definitive destruction of Nazi totalitarianism and allowed the liberation of remaining concentration camp survivors, initiating Europe's long recovery and reconstruction process.
Interesting fact
Because Soviet authorities insisted on a separate ratification signing ceremony in Berlin late on May 8 local time, Russia and eastern European nations celebrate Victory Day on May 9.
People
- Winston ChurchillPrime Minister of the United Kingdom
- Harry S. TrumanPresident of the United States
- Karl DönitzGrand Admiral and short-lived successor to Hitler
Quotes
"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."
Location
Reims · Reims · France
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