Friday 8th May 2020 is the 75th anniversary of VE Day , when the Second World War came to an end in Europe. Spontaneous celebrations broke out across the nation at the news, and various events had been planned to mark the anniversary in 2020. Obviously those events sadly had to be cancelled…. but it is still possible to commemorate and celebrate at home!
Party at Home!
We are being encouraged to hold 1940s-style afternoon tea parties at home rather than street parties. Homemade bunting, recipes from the era etc.
Ideas for food and music? Head over to this page on the official VE Day website
There are recipes, and even dance tips in this fab article from English Heritage
We’d love to see any photos for a summary article we will be publishing photos@mymarlow.co.uk
Specific timings
- 11am — two minutes silence a national moment of Remembrance
- 11.15am – A VE Day 75 livestream from the national British Legion website and Facebook, an 80-minute stream as they bring the World War Two generation together with today’s generation to chat about their shared experiences.
- 3pm – as it was in 1945, Sir Winston Churchill’s victory speech delivered on BBC One, as part of a special VE day programme on 2.45-3.45 “The Announcement of Victory“
- 3pm – The Nation’s Toast to the Heroes of World War 2. Originally planned to take place in pubs across the country , we are still being invited to stand “within the safety of living rooms, front or back gardens, outside front doors or balconies , and undertake the Nation’s Toast to the Heroes of WW II, using the following words. “TO THOSE WHO GAVE SO MUCH, WE THANK YOU,”
- 6pm – Katherine Jenkins live from the Royal Albert Hall – to be streamed live on YouTube
- 8pm – BBC One The People’s Celebration – Put on by the BBC and the Royal British Legion to show thanks to our veterans. Stars will celebrate the events of 1945 with popular songs from the era
- 9pm — A message from the Queen will be broadcast on BBC One, the same time as her father, King George VI, made his radio address marking victory in Europe
- 9pm just after the Queen’s address – a national doorstep rendition of Dame Vera Lynn’s “We’ll Meet Again”. You can also watch and join in on BBC One, who will be featuring the singalong as part of their VE Day broadcast. Don’t know the words- here they are on the British Legion website
We hope everyone manages to mark the special day in some way, and we’d love to see any photos of your bunting covered houses etc, for a summary article we will be publishing. Please send to photos@mymarlow.co.uk
