VE Day 2020 – 75th Anniversary

Friday 8 May marks the 75th anniversary of VE Day – the official end of the Second World War in Europe, and we want everyone to be able to commemorate this special day safely.

In 1945, the long anticipated news that the Second World War had come to an end in Europe resulted in celebrations breaking out across the nation.

Unfortunately, due to the current Covid-19 crisis, families and communities across the nation will be unable to celebrate this 75th anniversary in quite the same way.

We may not be able to have the public celebrations many people planned, but we can still remember the heroes of WWII.

We put together a range of ideas on this page, together with links to broadcasts, information and resources that can help you make the most of this special day and pay tribute to those men and women who sacrificed so much for us.

We hope to be able to celebrate VE Day properly when precautions allow, but for now please continue to observe government advice: stay home, stay safe, and protect our NHS. Celebrate in your own home, or back garden if you have one, but please do not be tempted to visit relatives or friends.

Celebration activities

Friday 8th May 2020, many people will be having stay at home street parties and decorating themselves and their homes in red, white and blue to represent the Union Jack. Here are some activities and resources to help you to do the same if you’d like to participate.

At 9am on 8th May, The Queen will address the nation and there will be a live stream on BBC – which is the exact same time that her father, King George VI, spoke to the UK 75 years ago, on the actual VE Day.

A video for KS2: https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/class-clips-video/history-ks2-ve-day/z7xtmfr

The British Legion has some home learning packs attached: https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/remembrance/teaching-remembrance

I have attached a power point from Twinkl but there are lots of resources on there.

There are also VE day crafts on here: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/dianagunn1/ve-day-crafts/?autologin=true&lp=true