Tuesday 5 May 2020
  • Home Front
  • Age 9-11 (KS2)
    Age 11-14 (KS3)

What does the ‘VE’ in VE Day stand for?

Join IWM expert Vikki as she shares real life stories of celebration and revelry in the wake of the VE Day announcement of 1945. Vikki will be sharing personal stories from those who remember taking to the streets to celebrate the end of the Second World War in Europe. 

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VE Day - Parties in the Street

VE Day - Parties in the Street

Part of the Adventures in History series created during the UK lockdown in Spring 2020.

Curriculum Links and Learning Objectives

  • KS3/4 - Challenges for Britain, Europe and the wider world 1901 to the present day. 

  • GCSE - Warfare and British society, c1250-Present and London and the Second World War, 1939–45.   

  • To learn about the experience of the end of the Second World War by people on the Home Front.

VE DAY HOUSE PARTY

Poster for IWM Family Mission: VE Day House Party featuring photographs of celebrations on VE Day

VE DAY HOUSE PARTY

Now that you've learned about VE Day, why not swing by a VE Day House Party like it's 1945! 

CBBC Presenter Ben Shires is setting your mission with the help of Jitterbug Jive.

Watch the mission briefing

WHAT WAS VE DAY?

HM King George VI and Queen Elizabeth with Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret joined by the Prime Minister, Winston Churchill on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, London on VE Day.
© IWM (MH 21835)

WHAT WAS VE DAY?

Have a look at this short film which explains what VE and VJ day were: Can you spot the future Queen Elizabeth II on the balcony at Buckingham Palace? 

Video hosted on the BBC Teach website. 

EXPLORE FURTHER

Poster for IWM learning content Adventures in History: Cakes Made from Carrots
History
Cakes Made From Carrots
Join IWM expert Ngaire as she tells real life stories of how people satisfied their sweet tooth despite rationing in the Second World War.  
Poster for IWM's learning content Adventures in History: The World's Best Den
History
The World’s Best Den
Why were air raid shelters needed in the Second World War? Join IWM expert Ngaire as she tells real life stories of how people passed the time—whether they sheltered in their back garden or in underground tunnels.  
Adventures in History: On the Home Front - Part One Graphic
History
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.  

Book A Visit to IWM

IWM London Exterior shot
IWM
IWM London
School visits to IWM London
Bookings are now open for September to December 2021. We’re excited to be welcoming schools back to IWM. To keep us all safe we’re limiting bookings to three groups per day.
IWM North landscape view
IWM North
School visits to IWM North
Purpose-built to tell the powerful stories of over a century of war, IWM North makes full use of its extraordinary exhibition space to deliver an award-winning immersive experience.
IWM Duxford Showcase
©IWM
IWM Duxford
School visits to IWM Duxford
Walk through the same hangars and buildings as those who served at RAF Duxford. See aircraft take to the skies from the airfield that Spitfires first flew. And get up close to over a century of aviation with hundreds of aircraft and objects on display.