With a stroke of a pen, the war in Europe ended on May 8th, 1945. While the instruments of unconditional surrender were signed by Karl Donitz on May 7th, the guns fell silent at 23:01 Central Europe time on May 8th as Donitz issued orders to stop all German Military operations.
In nations around the world especially in the European capitals celebrations exploded as the War in Europe came to an end.
In Trafalgar Square more then a million people flooded the streets and celebrated as Churchill, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth waved from a balcony at Buckingham Palace. Princess Elizabeth and Margaret joined the crowds in celebration.
In the United States President Truman celebrated his birthday on the same day as VE day having replaced President Roosevelt a month earlier.
At the same time American celebrations while massive were tempered by the thought that the war in the Pacific still needed to be one.
This wrapped up the incredibly destructive war started by Adolf Hitler 6 years earlier with the invasion of Poland and the declaration of war on Germany by France and Britain. By the end about 20 million people had been killed in the European theater as well 6 million Jews had been exterminated in Hitler's camp and 60 million Europeans had been forced from their homes.
Though it was a day of celebration, the battle in the Pacific raged on, and the start of the cold war between the Soviet Union and the American's and British was about to start.
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My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;
Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!
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I think that in 98% of old newsreels they used the exact same musical track. Also look at King George and how he waves around a minute in. It is almost as though it is a completely foreign concept to him!
I just liked it when the Macho Man Randy Savage made his entrance during the celebration. (3:10 of that video). Someone needs to photoshop a Macho Man blindside on King George.
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My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;
May 8th, 1945 VE Day Anniversary
