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| Source: BBC |
On this day, 75 years ago, more than one million people took to the streets all over the United Kingdom to celebrate the end of a horrendous war, marking the defeat of Nazi Germany. A proclamation was made by the Prime Minister at 3pm, followed by a speech by the King at 9pm. Celebrations spread all over Europe to mark this tremendous victory by the Allies (Britain, America, and the Soviet Union) against the fascist regime. The bells of St. Peter's Basilica rang loud, inspiring other churches in Rome to follow suit. In Switzerland, the flags of the triumphant Allied nations were risen in victory. All of Europe celebrated this momentous occasion.
The war was not over in other parts of the world, specifically against Japan, but the long 6-year war had finally come to an end. German soldiers surrendered their arms all across Europe as they finally admitted defeat. Prisoners of war (PoWs) walked free for the first time in a long time, and were able to return to their home countries. Yet no one was prepared to celebrate this moment that had been a long time coming. Despite the many hopes and prayers that the end of the war would come, when the day finally came, no one knew how to celebrate. That didn't stop them from going out into the streets and celebrating with their friends and family.
The Second World War claimed millions of lives in Europe. Many who lived during this time have different experiences of the war. Some were children who were evacuated to the countryside, some were soldiers who lived to tell of their experiences in war, and some were survivors of the Holocaust. Each have different stories to tell. Museums were built all over Europe to not only mourn the victims of the war, but to celebrate those who survived arguably one of the worst wars in history.
I think many European countries had a lot of plans for today. 75 years marking the end of a horrendous war is something to celebrate, and it would have meant a greater celebration this year than any other year. I remember watching the 75th tribute of the D-Day landings - I pictured this year to be a much bigger event. Instead, the world is fighting another war against an enemy that we can't even see. Any plans that were made have been scrapped because we can't step outside without worrying that we will inhale a killer virus and spread it to those we love. I have my thoughts about the virus and the politics around it, but that's not the point of this post. This year, we spend the anniversary of the end of a great war at home, doing whatever we can to protect those we love, while the soldiers against this virus risk their lives on the front line in hospitals and clinics.
I was looking through the speeches made by Winston Churchill, and by King George VI, on this day 75 years ago. Something about what the King had said was particularly poignant:
"Let us remember those who will not come back: their constancy and courage in battle, their sacrifice and endurance in the face of a merciless enemy; let us remember the men in all the services, and the women in all the services, who have laid down their lives. We have come to the end of our tribulation and they are not with us at the moment of our rejoicing"
Fighting this virus isn't the same as soldiers going into battle at risk of getting shot down or blown to bits by bombs and tanks. Fighting this virus isn't the same as the millions of people who were thrown into concentration camps and treated like they were nothing. I'll admit that much. But lives are still being lost, and lives are being laid down to fight and protect everybody else. When this crisis against COVID-19 is over, no doubt there will be celebrations just as the people of Europe celebrated 75 years ago. I'm sure countries will come together to properly celebrate V-E Day out of reverence to those who gave up their lives in this war. If there was to be a message to spread at the end of the war, it was one of hope. Things seem so dull and hopeless right now, but like any crisis, this too shall pass.
The Second World War claimed millions of lives in Europe. Many who lived during this time have different experiences of the war. Some were children who were evacuated to the countryside, some were soldiers who lived to tell of their experiences in war, and some were survivors of the Holocaust. Each have different stories to tell. Museums were built all over Europe to not only mourn the victims of the war, but to celebrate those who survived arguably one of the worst wars in history.
I think many European countries had a lot of plans for today. 75 years marking the end of a horrendous war is something to celebrate, and it would have meant a greater celebration this year than any other year. I remember watching the 75th tribute of the D-Day landings - I pictured this year to be a much bigger event. Instead, the world is fighting another war against an enemy that we can't even see. Any plans that were made have been scrapped because we can't step outside without worrying that we will inhale a killer virus and spread it to those we love. I have my thoughts about the virus and the politics around it, but that's not the point of this post. This year, we spend the anniversary of the end of a great war at home, doing whatever we can to protect those we love, while the soldiers against this virus risk their lives on the front line in hospitals and clinics.
I was looking through the speeches made by Winston Churchill, and by King George VI, on this day 75 years ago. Something about what the King had said was particularly poignant:
"Let us remember those who will not come back: their constancy and courage in battle, their sacrifice and endurance in the face of a merciless enemy; let us remember the men in all the services, and the women in all the services, who have laid down their lives. We have come to the end of our tribulation and they are not with us at the moment of our rejoicing"
Fighting this virus isn't the same as soldiers going into battle at risk of getting shot down or blown to bits by bombs and tanks. Fighting this virus isn't the same as the millions of people who were thrown into concentration camps and treated like they were nothing. I'll admit that much. But lives are still being lost, and lives are being laid down to fight and protect everybody else. When this crisis against COVID-19 is over, no doubt there will be celebrations just as the people of Europe celebrated 75 years ago. I'm sure countries will come together to properly celebrate V-E Day out of reverence to those who gave up their lives in this war. If there was to be a message to spread at the end of the war, it was one of hope. Things seem so dull and hopeless right now, but like any crisis, this too shall pass.
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