"A VICTORY ONLY HALF WON"

NATION & FREE WORLD CELEBRATE VICTORY IN EUROPE

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On May 8, 1945, Victory in Europe was celebrated here in the Nation's Capital and in cities around the world.  President Harry S Truman, celebrating his 61st birthday, said he only wished "that Franklin D. Roosevelt had lived to witness this day." 

In London, King George VI, Queen Elizabeth and Winston Churchill appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in celebration.  After the celebrations, Princess Elizabeth described it as "one of the most memorable nights of my life."

In an evening radio address, however, President Truman described it as "a victory only half won" as the war against Japan continued.

JFK+50 NOTE

The official 1st signing of the surrender documents was by Col. Alfred Jodl in Reims, France on May 7, 1945.  A 2nd signing by Field Marshall Wilhelm Keitel took place the following day.  Some countries, including Russia, celebrate V-E Day on May 9th.

President Roosevelt, who led the nation during most of WWII, died on April 12, 1945.  JFK was in the United States on May 8, 1945 having been discharged from the United States Navy in March.  

SOURCES

"V-E Day Celebrated," JFK+50, May 8, 2011, www.jfk50.blogspot.com/

"Victory In Europe Day," Royal British Legion, www.britishlegion.org.uk/

Celebration in London

May 8, 1945

Imperial War Museum Collection

"VICTORY IN THE WEST MUST BE WON IN THE EAST"

ALLIES ACCEPT NAZI GERMANY'S UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER

Dayton, Ohio (JFK+50) On May 8, 1945, V-E Day, The Daily Bulletin here in Dayton published on its front page the text of President Harry S Truman's "proclamation on the end of the war in Europe."

The proclamation begins with these words...

"The allied armies, through sacrifice and devotion and God's help, have won from Germany a final and unconditional surrender.  The western world has been freed of the evil forces which have imprisoned the bodies and broken the lives of millions...

The victory won in the west now must be won in the east."

JFK+50 NOTE

The Second World War continued on after the surrender of Germany and did not end until the Empire of Japan surrendered on September 2, 1945.  That surrender did not come, however, until after atomic bombs exploded over the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

WWII lasted from September 1 1939 to September 2 1945.  My dad served in the US Army medical corps in the South Pacific from 1943 to 1945. He worked in army hospitals in the Philippines & Australia.

SOURCE

"V-E Day Proclaimed," The Daily Bulletin, Dayton, Ohio, May 8, 1945, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/ 

 

 

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"WE MAY ALLOW OURSELVES A BRIEF PERIOD OF REJOICING"

WAR IN EUROPE ENDS IN WORLD WIDE CELEBRATION

Reims, France (JFK+50)  On May 8, 1945, the war in Europe came to an end as the Allies celebrated the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany.  The instrument of surrender was signed by General Alfred Jodl, Chief of Operations Staff of the Armed Forces High Command, the previous day here in REIMS at 02:41 GMT. 

Millions of people in cities across the globe celebrated V-E Day by taking to the streets.    New York City's Times Square was the scene of a huge celebration.
President Harry S Truman said his only wish was that..."Franklin D. Roosevelt had lived to witness this day."

 Britain's PM Winston Churchill, speaking on the BBC from 10 Downing Street, said..."(We) may allow ourselves a brief period of rejoicing.  Advance Britannia."  Large crowds gathered in TRAFALGAR SQUARE and at BUCKINGHAM PALACE where King George VI, Queen Elizabeth and Winston Churchill appeared together on the balcony.

 SOURCE

www.historylearningsite.co.uk/

                       Nazi Surrender
                        Reims, France
                          May 7, 1945
            FDR Library/NARA Photo

  

"LONG LIVE THE CAUSE OF FREEDOM. GOD SAVE THE KING!"

VICTORY IN EUROPE (V-E DAY) CELEBRATED BY THE ALLIES

London (JFK+50)  On May 8, 1945, the war in Europe came to an end as the Allies celebrated the unconditional surrender of the Third Reich.  The instrument of surrender was signed by General Alfred Jodl, Chief of Operations Staff of the Armed Forces High Command, the previous day in REIMS, FRANCE at 02:41 GMT.

Millions of people in cities across the globe celebrated the day by taking to the streets.  In the United States, President Harry S Truman, also celebrating his 61st birthday, said his only wish was that..."Franklin D. Roosevelt had lived to witness this day."

The British government issued guidelines for celebrations which included...
"Bonfires will be allowed, but the government trusts that only material with no salvage value will be used."

Prime Minister Winston Churchill, speaking on the BBC from 10 Downing Street said..."(We) may allow ourselves a brief period of rejoicing.  Advance Britannia.  Long live the cause of freedom.  God Save the King!"

Large crowds gathered in TRAFALGAR SQUARE and at BUCKINGHAM PALACE where King George VI, Queen Elizabeth and Winston Churchill appeared together on the balcony.

The King was wearing his ROYAL NAVY uniform and later spoke to the nation as the Palace was illuminated by floodlights for the first time since the BLACKOUT started in 1939.


SOURCE

www.historylearningsite.co.uk/

Nazi Surrender

Reims, France

May 7, 1945

FDR Library/NARA Photo

                      

TRUMAN WISHED FDR HAD LIVED TO WITNESS THIS DAY

V-E DAY CELEBRATIONS FOLLOW NAZI SURRENDER 

London (JFK+50)  The war in Europe came to an end on May 8, 1945 as the Allies celebrated the unconditional surrender of the Third Reich.  The instrument of surrender was signed by General Alfred Jodl, Chief of Operations Staff of the Armed Forces High Command, the previous day in REIMS, FRANCE at 02:41 GMT.

Millions of people in cities across the globe celebrated the day by taking to the streets.  In the United States, President Harry S Truman, also celebrating his 61st birthday, said his only wish was that..."Franklin D. Roosevelt had lived to witness this day."

The British government issued guidelines for celebrations which included...
"Bonfires will be allowed, but the government trusts that only material with no salvage value will be used."

Prime Minister Winston Churchill, speaking on the BBC from 10 Downing Street said..."(We) may allow ourselves a brief period of rejoicing.  Advance Britannia.  Long live the cause of freedom.  God Save the King!"

Large crowds gathered in TRAFALGAR SQUARE and at BUCKINGHAM PALACE where King George VI, Queen Elizabeth and Winston Churchill appeared together on the balcony.

The King was wearing his ROYAL NAVY uniform and later spoke to the nation as the Palace was illuminated by floodlights for the first time since the BLACKOUT started in 1939.


SOURCE

www.historylearningsite.co.uk/

Nazi Surrender

Reims, France

May 7, 1945

FDR Library/NARA Photo

                      

VICTORY IN EUROPE DAY

V-E DAY CELEBRATED 70 YEARS AGO TODAY

London (JFK+50)  The war in Europe came to an end seventy years ago today, May 8, 1945, as the Allies celebrated the unconditional surrender of the Third Reich.  The instrument of surrender was signed by General Alfred Jodl, Chief of Operations Staff of the Armed Forces High Command, the previous day in REIMS, FRANCE at 02:41 GMT.

Millions of people in cities across the globe celebrated the day by taking to the streets.  In the United States, President Harry S Truman, also celebrating his 61st birthday, said his only wish was that...

"Franklin D. Roosevelt had lived to witness this day."

The British government issued guidelines for celebrations which included...

"Bonfires will be allowed, but the government trusts that only material with no salvage value will be used."

Prime Minister Winston Churchill, speaking on the BBC from 10 Downing Street said...

"(We) may allow ourselves a brief period of rejoicing.  Advance Britannia.  Long live the cause of freedom.  God Save the King!"

Large crowds gathered in TRAFALGAR SQUARE and at BUCKINGHAM PALACE where King George VI, Queen Elizabeth and Winston Churchill appeared together on the balcony.

The King was wearing his ROYAL NAVY uniform and later spoke to the nation as the Palace was illuminated by floodlights for the first time since the BLACKOUT started in 1939.

Nazi Surrender

Reims, France

May 7, 1945

FDR Library/NARA Photo

SOURCE

www.historylearningsite.co.uk/

                      

V-E DAY

V-E DAY CELEBRATED NAZI SURRENDER 69 YEARS AGO TODAY

London, Moscow, New York, Ottawa, Paris and cities around the world (JFK+50)  The war in Europe came to an end 69 years ago today, May 8, 1945, as the Allies celebrated the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany.

The instrument of surrender was signed by General Alfred Jodl, Chief of Operations Staff of the Armed Forces High Command, the previous day in REIMS, FRANCE at 02:41 GMT.

                       Nazi Surrender
                        Reims, France
                          May 7, 1945
            FDR Library/NARA Photo

Jodl was later tried as a war criminal at Nuremberg, found guilty, sentenced to death and hanged.

Millions of people in cities across the globe celebrated the day by taking to the streets.

In the United States, President Harry S Truman, also celebrating his 61st birthday, said his only wish was that...

"Franklin D. Roosevelt had lived to witness this day."

There was also a huge celebration in New York City's TIMES SQUARE.

          MPs Read of Nazi Surrender
               in "Stars and Stripes"
                          May 1945
                    US Army Photo

The British government issued guidelines for celebrations which included...

"Bonfires will be allowed, but the government trusts that only material with no salvage value will be used."

Prime Minister Winston Churchill, speaking on the BBC from 10 Downing Street said...

"(We) may allow ourselves a brief period of rejoicing.  Advance Britannia.  Long live the cause of freedom.  God Save the King!"

While the European war had ended, the war in Asia against the Japanese Empire was still to be won.

Large crowds gathered in TRAFALGAR SQUARE and at BUCKINGHAM PALACE where King George VI, Queen Elizabeth and Winston Churchill appeared together on the balcony.

The King was wearing his ROYAL NAVY uniform and later spoke to the nation as the Palace was illuminated by floodlights for the 1st time since the BLACKOUT started in 1939.

   Churchill gives "V" for Victory Sign
                London, England
                     May 8, 1945

In CANADA, a parade was held on Ottawa's Parliament Hill.

SOURCE

www.historylearningsite.co.uk/

                      You Tube Video

V-E DAY CELEBRATED END OF WAR IN EUROPE 68 YEARS AGO TODAY

May 8, 2013

V-E DAY CELEBRATED END OF WAR IN EUROPE 68 YEARS AGO TODAY

London, Moscow, New York, Ottawa, Paris and cities around the world (JFK+50)  The war in Europe came to an end 68 years ago today, May 8, 1945, as the Allies celebrated the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany.

The instrument of surrender had been signed by General Alfred Jodl*, Chief of Operations Staff of the Armed Forces High Command, the previous day in REIMS, FRANCE at 02:41 GMT.

                       Nazi Surrender
                        Reims, France
                          May 7, 1945
            FDR Library/NARA Photo

*Jodl was later tried as a war criminal at Nuremberg, found guilty, sentenced to death and hanged.

Millions of people in cities across the globe celebrated the day by taking to the streets.

In the United States, President Harry S Truman, also celebrating his 61st birthday, said his only wish was that  "Franklin D. Roosevelt had lived to witness this day."

There was also a huge celebration in New York City's TIMES SQUARE.

          MPs Read of Nazi Surrender
               in "Stars and Stripes"
                          May 1945
                    US Army Photo

The British government issued guidelines for celebrations which included...

"Bonfires will be allowed, but the government trusts that only material with no salvage value will be used."

Prime Minister Winston Churchill, speaking on the BBC from 10 Downing Street said...

"(We) may allow ourselves a brief period of rejoicing.  Advance Britannia.  Long live the cause of freedom.  God Save the King!"**

**While the European war had ended, the war in Asia against the Japanese Empire was still to be won.

Large crowds gathered in TRAFALGAR SQUARE and at BUCKINGHAM PALACE where King George VI, Queen Elizabeth and Winston Churchill appeared together on the balcony.

The King was wearing his ROYAL NAVY uniform and later spoke to the nation as the Palace was illuminated by floodlights for the 1st time since the BLACKOUT started in 1939.

   Churchill gives "V" for Victory Sign
                London, England
                     May 8, 1945


In CANADA, a parade was held on Ottawa's Parliament Hill.

SOURCE

www.historylearningsite.co.uk/

                      You Tube Video