Time flies and, happily, new generations come on. But Americans and many others of a “certain age” remember May 8, 1945 — as “Victory in Europe Day” in World War II.
Adolf Hitler’s aggression began World War II in Europe when he sent his mechanized army into Poland in September 1939, and Britain and France declared war on Sept. 3. The United States joined World War II military action when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. As war raged in Europe, Africa and Asia, the United States determined to join Britain in giving first attention to Europe.
And so on June 6, 1944, U.S. and British forces invaded Europe, to free that continent from Nazi conquest.
The battles across France and Italy were vicious, bloody and costly. But finally, Nazi Germany surrendered at Rheims in France on May 7, 1945, and the defeat of Germany was ratified in Berlin on May 8, 1945, making it “V-E Day” — victory in Europe!
There was realization that much bitter war still lay ahead before Japan would be defeated — but V-E Day was a time of great celebration because victory and peace had come to Europe.