VE Day 80th anniversary
Thursday 8 May 2025 marks 80 years since the Victory in Europe (VE Day) when the Second World War came to an end in Europe.
Communities across the district will be coming together to celebrate throughout the weekend. Epping Forest District Council will be taking part in the national 2-minute silence at midday on 8 May and flying the VE day flag at the civic offices. Beacons will also be lit across the UK.
Sir Winston Churchill – MP for Epping between 1924 and 1945 – said on VE Day 1945:
My dear friends, this is your hour. This is not victory of a party or of any class. It’s a victory of the great British nation as a whole.
Celebrations across the nation
Chairman of Council Cllr Les Burrows said:
On this day 80 years ago the long-anticipated news that the war had finished, 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. It is great to see that these celebrations are still taking place today.
The 80th anniversary is a time for the nation to come together and reflect on the remarkable stories of the VE Day generation. From the servicemen who fought, to children who were evacuated, and women on the home front.
In the face of today’s uncertainty, shaped by recent conflicts that have left lasting scars on communities worldwide, we are reminded of the importance of reflecting on history’s lessons to ensure we do not repeat its mistakes.
80 years on, it remains everyone’s responsibility to remember those lessons, fostering a future built on understanding, resilience, and peace. The VE Day generation altered the course of history during the Second World War and played a crucial role in rebuilding the country in the post war years. These men and women defended the freedoms we enjoy and cherish today.
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