This Friday, 8th May marks 75 years since VE (Victory in Europe) Day when the Second World War came to an end in Europe. The long-anticipated news resulted in spontaneous celebrations breaking out across the nation. A national holiday was declared and people from all walks of life came together to mark the moment.
Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, there were numerous national and local events planned for this Friday, which has also been declared a Bank Holiday. However, despite the ongoing restrictions of lockdown, there are still many ways in which people can be involved in marking this occasion.
At 11am on Friday, the Royal British Legion is encouraging people from across all generations and communities to take part in a national moment of remembrance and pause for a two-minute silence, in a socially distanced way, to honour the service and sacrifice of the Second World War generation.
We will all hear from Her Majesty The Queen, when she will address the nation at 9pm on BBC One, and His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales will read an extract from King George VIās diary from 8 May 1945.
Throughout the day, Members of The Royal Family and the Prime Minister will take part in video calls with Second World War veterans, and we will all be able to hear Churchillās famous victory speech as it will be broadcast as part of a special BBC programme.
To find out more information about Fridays events, and how you can get involved, please visit: https://ve-vjday75.gov.uk/
Across Keighley and Ilkley, many families will be decorating their homes and front gardens in red, white and blue and having ātea partiesā to celebrate and mark this special occasion. Please do share your photos from the day with me by e-mailing them to me at [email protected] and I will share them.
