Wednesday 6 May 2020

Friday 8 May 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, or VE Day, when the Second World War came to an end in Europe. The Second World War was still being fought in many parts of the world including in Asia but people still saw VE Day as a momentous event to celebrate.

75 years on, and although many of us are staying safe and self-isolating at home, this doesn’t mean the party has to stop. We can still celebrate this special anniversary together at home with IWM’s Family Mission: VE Day House Party!

Mission Briefing

Mission Briefing

Your Family Mission this week is to swing into the VE Day Bank Holiday and (house) party like it’s 1945. CBBC Presenter Ben Shires is setting your mission again this week with the help of our friends over at Jitterbug Jive:

Need some inspiration? Our friends over at Jitterbug Jive are going to show you some vintage dance moves to celebrate in style:

Learn the Charleston Stroll

Learn the Charleston Stroll

Don’t forget to tell us how you get on or even better show us your moves on IWM’s Facebook and Twitter!

 

Party like it's 1945!

Photographs

Do the conga

Photographs

Do the conga

Dancing the conga around a bonfire in East Acton, London during the evening of VE Day, 8 May 1945.

Can your family dance the conga? 

See object record
Men and women dance the conga around a bonfire in East Acton, London during the evening of VE Day, 8 May 1945.
© IWM (EA 65881)
Photographs

Dancing in the streets

Photographs

Dancing in the streets

Having a. boogie in Berkley Square on VE Day, 8 May 1945. 

Can your family spring out some steps at home this VE Day?

See object record
Soldiers and girls dancing in a street near Berkeley Square.
© IWM (EA 65885)

Explore further

V for Victory Thumbnail
Second World War
Where does 'V for Victory' come from?
Winston's Churchill's V for Victory sign is perhaps one the most iconic of the Second World War, but where does it come from?
VE Day celebrations in London on 8 May 1945
© IWM (HU 41808)
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. 
Adventures in History: VE Day: Parties in the Street graphic
Adventures in History: VE Day – Parties in the Street