V-E Day

V-E Day is a significant annual commemoration whose roots made headlines and imprinted on global history books. Marking the end of World War II in Europe, Victory in Europe Day is an important event that people around the world must remember as there were over 75 million lives lost that led to the Allies’ success and the Nazis’ surrender.

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V-E Day Definition and Meaning

V-E Day or Victory in Europe Day is a historic holiday celebrated mostly in European countries that denotes how the Allies from World War II accepted the Nazi or Germany’s surrender back in 1945.

V-E Day both celebrates the big victory in Europe against the Nazis as well as reflects the countless lives sacrificed during WWII.

When Is V-E Day?

V-E Day is a yearly celebration observed in France, Russia, the UK, and other countries, and it is observed specifically every 8th of May. This date for the V-E Day anniversary was chosen because the actual victory in Europe happened on May 8, 1945.

V-E Day History

It became clear which side would win the bloody battle during World War II when the Allies (the United States, United Kingdom, Soviet Union, France, China, etc.) surrounded the German army and corps on April 30, 1945. Nazi Party leader Adolf Hitler eventually killed Eva Braun (his wife) and committed suicide inside his bunker in Berlin when defeat was only moments away. With Hitler gone, Grand Admiral Karl Donitz took over Hiter’s position and he negotiated to surrender with the Allied military instead.

Moving on to the next timeline—on May 4, British Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery accepted the German soldiers’ surrender, specifically in northwest Germany, the Netherlands, and Denmark. On May 7, Supreme Allied Commander General Eisenhower accepted German General Alfred Jodl and his troops’ act of surrender. Finally, on the 8th of May, German Field Marshal William Keitel signed the German Instrument of Surrender in Berlin and it marked Europe’s victory in WWII despite how Japan still continued the war against the Allies.

V-E Day Purpose, Importance

Surely, you have read a thing or two about World War II from educational books, online research, or newspaper articles. But when it comes to V-E Day specifically, you’d be surprised to know that winning against the Nazis in Europe is just the tip of the iceberg on what you can learn of this holiday, and here are some major highlights:

The Fall of World War II—the Costliest War Ever

No doubt, V-E Day is celebrated as a victory party for ending WWII in Europe but something you should also know about the need to end the said war is because of how it was (and remains) the costliest war in existence. For nearly six years, cities have been wiped out, Europe suffered from a poor economy, and 75 million people lost their lives in the process. In today’s budget or inflation to dollars, World War II cost around $4 trillion, meaning it is the most expensive war ever.

The Surrender of Nazi Germany and Adolf Hitler’s Demise

It was on June 6, 1944, that the Allied army reached the Normandy beaches in France and it became a sign that the downfall of the Nazis is coming near. Moving forward, the news broke that Adolf Hitler was dead and it signaled Nazi Germany’s surrender. This war proved that when it comes to making peace, ironically, war and killing would be the only solution and things could have gotten worse for the Germans if they didn’t surrender.

Public Holiday for Many Countries

Something you should keep in mind is that V-E Day is a public holiday for many countries such as France, Russia, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine, Belarus, and Kazakhstan. However, the dates may differ among these countries. While the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and France would celebrate the holiday on May 8, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Belarus, and Russia actually celebrate on May 9.

Reflection, Gratitude, and Remembrance Brought by the War

Take note that V-E Day is a time to thank the sacrifices of the soldiers and peacekeepers during World War II from those who died down to the veterans who survived it. Aside from the military, nurses and health professionals as well as civilians are remembered during the holiday; people then show gratitude since suffering and destruction ended after the big victory. Hence, Victory in Europe Day honors the many lives and sacrifices fought by many to bring peace as well as a reflection of how previous global conflicts and sufferings shouldn’t be forgotten as they shaped the very world we live in today.

What’s in V-E Day?

Victory in Europe Day has different traditions and activities depending on which country celebrated it from fun victory parties and parades down to solemn ceremonies and memorial tributes. There are parades or processions (featuring marching bands and military veterans), ceremonies and speeches prepared by the government, military aircraft flyovers, fireworks displays, church services, and even music festivals or street parties.

How to Create a V-E Day Social Media Post

You can easily greet and remind people about Victory in Europe Day as May 8 approaches by making a holiday post about it on social media. And you can refer to these steps on how to make riveting V-E Day social media posts for Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter:

Facebook

Step 1: Access a V-E Day Facebook Post template.

Open your browser and go directly to Template.net. There is an extensive collection of premade V-E Day templates that you can download, edit, and print anytime. Click the V-E Day Facebook post template and select “Edit online” as seen on the right side.

Step 2: Change the default text.

Select “Fill” and you should see some text boxes. Click on a text box and type new content if you want to change the default text. You can focus on writing about a V-E Day announcement, a list of World War II book titles or library resources, or maybe your personal holiday greeting.

Step 3: Insert colorful and beautiful graphics.

Click “Graphics” from the left menu. Next, choose and click any type of graphic design related to V-E Day such as a victory banner, Time Square building image with V-E Day motifs, holiday clipart, and more. Then, adjust the image you just inserted on the template by clicking, dragging, and dropping.

Step 4: Set a scene with the background feature.

Go to the “Background” tool and you can look for any background design that suits well with your template. You pick from a photo as the background or simply any color. You should see how the background looks on your template as seen on the right side of your screen.

Step 5: Download the V-E Day FB post template.

When you’re done editing, click “Download” on the top right. Finalize the template’s settings right from its size, quality, and format until you’re ready to click the final Download button below. Then, go directly to Facebook and upload the V-E Day FB post template to celebrate the holiday.

Instagram

Step 1: Choose a downloadable V-E Day Instagram post template.

Check out Template.net’s list of V-E Day templates. Look specifically for the V-E Day Instagram post template. Then, click “Edit online” to get started.

Step 2: Fill in new texts.

Click the “Text” tool to insert either a heading text box, sub-heading text box, or paragraph text box in the template. Then, select “Fill” to type any message in the text box you just inserted. You may write a summary about the victory in Europe, facts about WWIII, or any other focus.

Step 3: Celebrate with victorious graphic designs.

Head to the “Graphics” tool to incorporate visual designs and improve the aesthetic element of your template. You may insert a picture of a cartoonish silhouette waving the V-E Day flag, the Allied Union symbol, an interior painting commemorating V-E Day, etc. Test your creativity in this step.

Step 4: Search for the best background color.

Click “Background” from the menu. Then, choose from the color palette on what background color you want. Go for a shade where your wallpaper actually blends well with the foreground details in the template.

Step 5: Download the V-E Day IG post template.

Finish the step by clicking “Download” on the right side. Finalize the format and click the other “Download” button. Open your Instagram account and upload the IG post template shortly; don’t forget to set creative filters, compelling captions, and clickable hashtags on your IG post.

Twitter

Step 1: Secure a V-E Day Twitter post template.

Visit Template.net on your browser and see the entire printable V-E Day templates. Grab hold of the V-E Day Twitter post template since it is the format that works best for your Twitter account. Then, select “Edit online” under Download this Template shortly.

Step 2: Customize the default texts.

Access the “Fill” tool found on the left menu. Select the text box and edit the content, such as incorporating a quote or greeting card message inside. You may change the size of the text box by clicking and dragging any of the dots around the text box’s edges.

Step 3: Insert striking graphics.

Be sure to click “Graphics” to wow people with graphic designs. Choose and click on a decent design and manipulate its position and size in the template. Great examples to use here are a peace sign drawing and abstract art.

Step 4: Pick a decent background design.

Click “Background.” Either pick a background color or use an image as the background. Then, make sure the foreground elements of your template are still visible with the background you picked.

Step 5: Own the V-E Day Twitter post template.

Finalize everything until you’re ready to hit “Download.” Select “Download” to save the template on your computer. Access your Twitter account and you know what to do next in posting the template.

V-E Day vs. Memorial Day

V-E Day celebrates the end of WWII and honors everyone who fought during the war to stop the German Nazis; this holiday happens on May 8.

Memorial Day is held every last Monday of May in the US and this holiday remembers the fallen warriors who died while serving the American military.

V-E Day Ideas & Examples

Kids, students, and adults deserve to know about the significance of V-E Day, and what better way to spread awareness about the event than to use as many templates and resources as possible to celebrate V-E Day? Here are some examples you can optimize:

V-E Day Vector Ideas and Examples

Use a V-E Day vector template during the holiday since a vector‘s scalable design offers great quality and resolution no matter what platform you use to upload it.

V-E Day Background Ideas and Examples

Decorate your desktop, room, or social media platforms with a V-E Day background since the background design ultimately gives a graphic representation of Victory in Europe Day.

V-E Day Illustration Ideas and Examples

Embellish your posts or publications with a fun illustration design related to the holiday with the premade V-E Day illustration template.

V-E Day Border Ideas and Examples

Your documents could use some frames or page borders that honor the victory in Europe while using a customizable V-E Day border template.

V-E Day Poster Ideas and Examples

Grab people’s attention instantly with a poster design linked to V-E Day because a V-E Day poster‘s gigantic size is hard to miss.

V-E Day Flyer Ideas and Examples

A classic flyer design may be the portal you want to use for spreading info about the holiday and a V-E Day flyer template is the most fitting tool you can use to get started.

V-E Day Drawing Ideas and Examples

Black and white doodles or sketches are simple yet creative as long as you incorporate motifs related to the holiday, and a printable V-E Day drawing template can help you with that.

V-E Day Wallpaper Ideas and Examples

Decorate your areas and platforms with a victory-themed V-E Day wallpaper as a way to celebrate Victory in Europe Day.

V-E Day Wishes Ideas and Examples

Share your good vibes and holiday wishes about the event using a downloadable V-E Day wishes template.

V-E Day Quote Ideas and Examples

Inspire anyone with a memorable quote about the victory in Europe using a sample V-E Day quote.

FAQs