With its capital city Berlin in ruins, and the suicide of its leader, Adolph Hitler, Germany surrendered to Allied forces. This surrender ended World War II hostilities in Europe. German military officials in the town of Reims signed the unconditional surrender on May 7, 1945. On the next day, May 8th, the remainder of the German government in Berlin officially ratified the surrender. Generally, May 8th is the date V-E Day is observed.

V-E Day is observed as an important historic anniversary in the Allied countries including Canada, Great Britain, France, Russia, and the United States. In the US, wreathes or flowers are placed on the tombs of any unknown soldiers.

Other historic observances associated with Word War II include Pearl Harbor Day, D Day, and V-J Day.

Note: This holiday is one of Calendar Mine's over 500 built-in observances.

See Also

Holiday Catalogue

American (USA) Observances