Second World War

Victory

Second World War

Victory

Commemorate 75 years since the end of the Second World War in Europe and remember the personal stories of people who stood together during a time of national crisis. 
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VE Day celebrations in London on 8 May 1945
© IWM (HU 41808)

Take a virtual tour of the American Air Museum

Welcome to the museum

Take a virtual tour of the American Air Museum

Learn more about our incredible collection of American aircraft and discover powerful personal stories of lives shaped by war in this new 360 tour of the American Air Museum at Duxford. 

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Shop IWM Online

The IWM Online Shop sells items inspired by our collections and the human experience of conflict.

IWM is a charity, every purchase helps their stories be retold.
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Film and War

Film Favourites from the Archives

Film and War

Film Favourites from the Archives

Discover our Film Favourites series in which curators talk about their highlights from IWM's vast film collection. 
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Camerman war still

Explore our Collection

Destroyers filled with evacuated British troops berthing at Dover, 31 May 1940. © IWM H 1640
Destroyers filled with evacuated British troops berthing at Dover, 31 May 1940.

Explore our Collection

Our museums may be closed but you can still explore our collection online. Search thousands of photographs and objects documenting conflict since 1914. 

Search our collection

 

This Week in Adventures in History

Adventures in History: Life Under The Sea graphic

This Week in Adventures in History

This week Adventures in History dives beneath the waves to find out about life aboard a submarine.

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Learning Activities and Resources

IWM has a range of learning resources to keep children occupied over the coming weeks, including our new Adventures in History and Family Mission series. 

Reproduction of a house in the 1940s
IWM
The 1940s House

Adventures in History: Painting Life graphic
Adventures in History: Painting Life

Troops of 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade disembarking with bicycles onto Juno Beach
© IWM (A 23938)
What was D-Day?

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Art And Design

Download a Video Call Background

Art And Design

Download a Video Call Background

Bored of your bedroom wall? Download an IWM background to stylise your Google Meets, Zoom chats and Teams meetings. 
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The Chief of Staff's Room at Churchill War Rooms
Second World War

6 Lockdown Pastimes From The Second World War

Second World War

6 Lockdown Pastimes From The Second World War

If you’re getting fed up with the Coronavirus lockdown, spare a thought for those at home during the Second World War. How did people cope and occupy their time indoors, or when confined in shelters?
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Sharing a drink in an air raid shelter

Featured Stories

A truck of revellers passing through the Strand, London, 8 May 1945.
Second World War
What You Need To Know About VE Day
8 May 1945 – VE (Victory in Europe) Day – was one that remained in the memory of all those who witnessed it. It meant an end to nearly six years of a war that had cost the lives of millions; had destroyed homes, families, and cities; and had brought huge suffering and privations to the populations of entire countries.
Savile Row tailors working on military clothing including a naval officer’s jacket, 1944.
Second World War
Manufacturers Answer The Call: WWII And The Covid-19 Crisis
During WWII, car manufacturer Vauxhall started producing the Churchill tank, Burberry turned to uniforms and the food industry created tinned powered eggs to meet demands. While we're not eating tinned eggs yet today, a number of the same companies are helping combat coronavirus.
Shop sign reading “Yes we have No Bananas”
© IWM HU 63736
Second World War
The Nation At Standstill: Shutdown In The Second World War
Britain went into lockdown in March 2020, but it wasn't the first time. On 1 September 1939, Blackout policies were introduced across the nation, along with a number of other extreme measures.
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Support Us

As a charity, now more than ever IWM needs your support to ensure we can continue to tell personal stories and experiences of conflict for current and future generations to come.

A Balloon Site, Coventry
© IWM (ART LD 2750)
Donate Now
Make a donation to IWM and help us to tell the stories of those affected by conflict, launch our ground-breaking exhibitions and deliver our world-class learning programmes. 
IWM Membership
Become an IWM Member
Help tell stories that deserve to be heard by supporting us as a member and uncover a host of benefits including free standard admission to Churchill War Rooms, HMS Belfast and IWM Duxford.
A volunteer talks to young visitors to Imperial War Museums
Support Us
Discover the many ways you can support our historically important sites and world-leading collection.
Season

Refugees

Season

Refugees

Taking place at IWM London and IWM North, Refugees explores refugee experiences throughout history and ongoing issues faced by those affected through two major exhibitions, a series of events and a new site-specific art commission at IWM London from world-renowned artist Ai Weiwei.  
Find out more
AFGHAN TEENAGERS PLAY CRICKET AGAINST A SHIPPING CONTAINER IN THE CALAIS ‘JUNGLE’, IN AN AREA OF THE CAMP KNOWN AS 'AFGHAN SQUARE'
©Rob Pinney