65th anniversary of VE Day: May 8, 2010

From the Juno Beach Centre, "Canada in WWII":

Return to Peace

On May 8th, 1945, crowds of civilians and soldiers, shouting and dancing in the streets, gathered to celebrate V-E Day, the Allies' victory in Europe. In London, in Paris, throughout liberated Europe, parades, and speeches, hugging and rejoicing marked that special day. Canada also celebrated: in Toronto, tickertape flowed from up high as people danced in the streets, in Ottawa people gathered on Parliament Hill. Every city, every community found its own way to celebrate the return of peace and - at long last! - of those who served overseas. In Halifax where bars had been closed for the day, sailors raided downtown beer and alcohol outlets. The party turned into a riot…

The day in Ottawa, 1945 (Veterans Affairs Canada):

VE-Day celebrations, Parliament Hill, Ottawa, ON., 8 May 1945.
Credit: National Archives of Canada/DND Army 2-3849-1

In Toronto (City of Toronto Archives):

V-E Day celebrations, Bay Street
May 7, 1945
Photographer: John H. Boyd
City of Toronto Archives
Fonds 1266, Item 96241

From the Canadian War Museum:

VE Day celebrations in Toronto, Ont., May 1945. Photo : National Film Board

VE Day, 8 May 1945

On April 30, 1945, Hitler committed suicide. On May 5, German forces in North-West Europe surrendered. Victory in Europe, or VE, Day was officially celebrated three days later.

In Germany, where the Canadian Army fought right to the last day, soldiers were too relieved to celebrate very much. In Paris and London, Canadians joined people in the streets in an outpouring of emotion. In Toronto, thousands danced in the streets while three Mosquito aircraft dropped tickertape overhead.

Most Canadian cities and towns held religious services of thanksgiving. Frustrations built up after years of wartime controls and rationing led to riots and looting in some places, but nowhere else on the scale of those in Halifax ( see The Halifax VE Day Riots ). The war was not yet over - the war with Japan was still underway - but the major threat of Nazi Germany had ended.

Related Newspaper Articles

• VE-Day Plans
  The Globe and Mail, 04/05/1945
  
• Carnival of Joy Loosed As Toronto Celebrates European Victory News
  The Globe and Mail, 08/05/1945
  
• War Factories Receive News Jubilantly, Sanely
  The Globe and Mail, 08/05/1945
  
• New Waterford Riot Scene as Ilsley Reaches Halifax
  The Hamilton Spectator, 11/05/1945...

And from the CBC: "Remembering Canada's role in WW II - 65 years after VE-Day marked the end of fighting in Europe"; "Victory in Europe"; plus audio from the CBC Archives. More from their archives here and here, including Prime Minister Mackenzie King's speech.

Make what you will of the following:

Liberate Europe? No thanks, say young Canucks (CP)

New Survey to Mark the 65th Anniversary of VE Day (Historica-Dominion Institute)

In Ottawa this year:

Media and the public are invited to attend a parade with vintage wartime vehicles as well as a fly-past of Second World War aircraft, followed by a ceremony with the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Minister of State (Agriculture) to celebrate the 65^th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (VE-Day). The event will pay tribute to the more than one million Canadians who served in the Second World War.

Parade location:	Elgin Street beginning at the corner of Lisgar Street proceeding north to the National War Memorial, Confederation Square
	Ottawa, Ontario
Date:	Saturday, May 8, 2010
Time:	Parade at 10:15 a.m.
	Commemorative ceremony at 11:00 a.m.

The Silver Cross Mother for 2010, Veterans, Canadian Forces members and youth will join the Minister for this major remembrance ceremony, followed by a march-past at the National War Memorial.

Of the more than one million Canadians who served during the Second World War, more than 47,000 would lay down their lives defending peace, freedom and justice. Canadians will honour the sacrifice made by all those who served during the Second World War with events held in communities across Canada.

For more information about VE-Day and for a listing of community events taking place across the country, visit the Veterans Affairs Canada Web site at www.vac-acc.gc.ca...

Update: A good Canwest News story that, amongst other things, explains why there were celebrations on both May 7 (more here) and 8:

VE-Day spurred Canadian outpouring of thanksgiving and joy