Wednesday 6 May 2020

Celebrating the 75th anniversary of VE Day

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! Your Family Mission this week is to swing into the VE Day Bank Holiday and (house) party like it’s 1945.

Mission Briefing

Mission Briefing

Part of the Family Mission series created during the UK lockdown in Spring 2020. CBBC Presenter Ben Shires is setting your mission 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?
Adventures in History: On the Home Front - Part One Graphic
On the Home Front - Part One
Join IWM expert Ngaire as she helps us discover the extraordinary stories of the people who rose to the challenge of life on the Second World War Home Front.  
Adventures in History: VE Day: Parties in the Street graphic
VE Day- Parties in the Street
Join IWM expert Vikki as she shares real life stories of celebration and revelry in the wake of the VE Day announcement of 1945
Sponsors

Family Mission has been created with the generous support of Old Possum's Practical Trust