Commemorating VE Day and VJ Day

Commemorating VE Day and VJ Day

VE Day street party from 1945 with children sat at the table and adults, mainly women, all around enjoying the celebrations
Street party on VE Day 1945

2025 is the eightieth anniversaries of Victory in Europe (VE) Day and Victory over Japan (VJ) Day. Today there are few left who remember the war, VE Day or VJ Day but it is still important that we mark these historic events by coming together to honour and pay tribute to the Second World War generation both locally and nationally.   

VE Day 

On 8 May 1945 Prime Minister Winston Churchill announced the end of the war in Europe in a live broadcast to the nation.  Following the unconditional surrender of the German forces people across the country celebrated. A national holiday was declared and people from all walks of life came together to mark the occasion.  Pubs stayed open late, the streets were filled with signing and dancing, parties and parades and special thanksgiving services were held. The long anticipated news saw millions take to the streets in spontaneous celebrations.   

Men, women and children line both sides of a street of terraced houses on VE Day 1945. Children in fancy dress and playing musical instruments form a parade along the middle of the road.
Street parties were held across Newcastle as local people celebrated VE Day on 8 May 1945. This photo was taken in Coxlodge, Newcastle

But along with the joy and relief was sadness for those who had lost their lives and prayers were said for the allied forces still fighting in Asia and the Pacific. There was also concern for the Prisoners of War still waiting to get home and horror at the images that were coming out of the Nazi concentration camps. People didn't just celebrate on VE day. They also mourned, remembered and hoped for a better future. 

VE Day 80

Thursday 8 May 2025 marked 80 years since the end of the war in Europe. The government  announced four days of activities to mark the eightieth anniversary of VE Day starting on 5 May 2025. These events honoured those who lived through the Second World War and celebrated the peace they secured. Activities and events included a military parade, service in Westminster Abbey and a concert on Horseguards Parade. 

You can find out more about the national events at https://ve-vjday80.gov.uk/ 

In Newcastle we paid tribute to the brave men, women and children who gave so much for the freedoms we have today with a range of events and activities across the city.

Remember and reflect 

VE Day 80 was a chance to learn about the stories of those who lived through the Second World War. To hear about the servicemen who fought, the women on the home front and the children who were evacuated.  In our Remember and reflect exhibition pay tribute to the service of the World War 2 generation, reflect on the sacrifices they made and celebrate their values and selflessness which helped shape the world we live in today. 

Six display boards on a wall in the Arches at the Civic Centre. Each one focuses on something from World War 2. Another display board is on an easel at the left end of the wall. This board tells the stories of two men who served in the war.
Part of the Remember and reflect exhibition

The original exhibition, which was on display in the Arches at the Civic Centre in May 2025, focuses on the war in Europe up to VE Day. You can view this version of the Remember and reflect exhibition online here. 

The exhibition will go on display again in August 2025 and will included new exhibits that will focus on events that happened in World War 2 after VE Day. This will include a feature on the Fourteenth Army who fought the war in Japan and the Far East. 

Celebrating VE Day 80 

As in 1945, people and communities were at the heart of our VE Day 80 celebrations.  We have helped organisations across the city to host VE Day events in their local communities with grants of up to £200.  We received some fantastic applications and secured extra funding so more activities could receive support. We allocated £4,500 instead of the planned £3,000 to over 20 projects across the city.  

Four older women and three older men sit around a long table in the middle of a room at Byker lodge. There is a Union Jack hat on the table and some cups of tea and glasses of wine.Six girls and four boys wearing army hats are standing at the far end of the table. They are reading stories from World War 2. Behind them is a Union Flag and the room is decorated with bunting. Three members of staff stand to one side of the table watching the activities.
Byker Resource Centre and Byker Primary School organised a community event to celebrate VE Day 80

Activities and events we funded included tea parties, garden parties, social activities, wreath laying and street parties all with a VE Day theme. Activities included singing and dancing, arts and crafts, sharing memories and learning about life in World War 2.  

A place to remember

Remembrance was an important part of our VE Day commemoration and we knew some people wanted a dedicated place where they could take the time to reflect on the past and honour the fallen. As the War Memorial in Old Eldon Square is so important the city we chose this a place to remember. 

From Friday 2 May to Monday 12 May a VE Day flag was flown at the War Memorial to create a focal point where local residents could choose their own time to come to pay their respects and, if they wanted, lay floral tributes in memory of those who served during World War 2. 

VE Day flag 

The VE Day flag flew alongside the Union Flag from Friday 2 May to Monday 12 May outside the Civic Centre as part of our VE Day 80 celebrations.  

Lord Mayor and Leader of the Council raise the VE Day flag outside the Civic Centre.
Flag raising ceremony on VE Day 80

The flag was lowered for a short time on the morning of Thursday 8 May as a mark of respect to those who lost their lives.  The Lord Mayor, Councillor Rob Higgins, and Leader of the Council, Councillor Karen Kilgour were then joined by veterans and armed forces personnel for a flag raising ceremony to commemorate the eightieth anniversary of the end of the war in Europe. 

VE Day commemoration event

On the evening of 8 May 2025 veterans, armed forces personnel and local residents joined the Lord Mayor, Leader of the Council and others on Ceremonial Way for a commemorative event. 

Men, women and children face gather on ceremonial way. They are facing the Civic Centre where the balcony is draped with Union Flags
Crowds start to gather on Ceremonial Way
Band of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers play outside the Civic Centre. They are wearing combat fatigues with their distinctive caps with the red and white hackle. There are two drummers, one trombone player, two saxophones and a flute player and a conductor.
The Band of the Fifth Royal Regiment of Fusiliers played music
Around 25 men from the Newcastle Male Voice Choir sing outside the Civic Centre. They are all dressed in black trousers, white shirt and black jumpers. One older man is sitting, the rest are all standing.
and the Newcastle Male Voice Choir sang songs from World War 2
Colonel Peter Stitt delivers his speech from the balcony at the Civic Centre. He is wearing his dress uniform including a peaked cap and his military badges.
Colonel Peter Stitt, Commander North Region, British Army gave a VE Day speech
Lord Mayor dressed in his red robes and chains reads the proclamation from the balcony at the Civic Centre.
The Lord Mayor read the proclamation in a tribute to the fallen
Two rows of Fusiliers standing at ease with their arms behind their backs. They are dressed in combat fatigues and caps with the distinctive red and white hackle. There are six soldiers in each row.
The Fifth Royal Regiment of Fusiliers joined residents and veterans for the ceremony
Veterans from the Royal Fusiliers lower the standard on ceremonial way.
Veterans lowered the Standard in a mark of respect as the National Anthem was played.
Two veterans from the Royal Fusiliers stand outside the Civic Centre. They are wearing their veterans uniforms and caps with the distinctive red and white hackle. They each hold a raised Standard.
The Standard is raised as the ceremony comes to an ends
One of the lit flambeau beacons is pictured in front of the bell tower of the Civic Centre. The sky is almost dark.
The flambeau beacons are lit as a symbol of  the light after the darkness of war.

 

VJ Day 1945

Daily Mirror front page from 15 August 1945. The headline reads Peace. Japan surrenders. Allies cease fire. The sub-headline reads Today and tomorrow V-days "Enjoy yourselves" call by Atlee at Midnight.
Less than a month after his election, Prime Minister Clement Atlee announced the long awaited end of World War 2

While VE Day marked the end of the war in Europe, many thousands of Armed Forces personnel were still engaged in fighting in the Far East. 

Fighting in the Asia-Pacific took place from Hawaii to North East India. Britain and the Commonwealth’s principle fighting force, the Fourteenth Army, was one of the most diverse in history. More than 40 languages were spoken and all the world’s major religions represented. Victory over Japan came at a heavy price with many thousands losing their lives. 

On 15 August 1945,  Japan's surrender meant Second World War 2 finally came to an end. The day was celebrated across the world as ‘Victory over Japan’ Day.

Today the descendants of many of the veterans who served in the Far East are part of multicultural communities around the world as a lasting legacy to the success and comradeship of those who fought in the Asia-Pacific. 

VJ Day 80

To mark eightieth anniversary of VJ Day the Far East the government have announced a service will take place at the National Memorial Arboretum. The Royal British Legion will lead the nation in honouring and remembering those who fought and died in the War in the Far East.

In Newcastle, we are making plans to pay tribute to those who fought in the Asia-Pacific including honouring local people who were part of the Fourteenth Army who served in the Burma campaign. 

Did you know?

You can now view our Remember and reflect exhibition online at https://newcastle.gov.uk/services/ve-day-vj-day-80/remember-and-reflect…

10 surviving World War 2 veterans have written an open letter to the nation inviting people to commemorate the eightieth anniversary of VE Day. 

You can read the letter at https://together.org.uk/ve80/letter/ or listen and watch it being read below.

 

 

Related Pages

Need more information?

if you have any questions or need more information about any of our VE Day 80 or VJ Day 80 events please email angela.hamilton@newcastle.gov.uk 

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