
V-J DAY75 - 15 AUGUST 2020
On
August 14, 1945, it was announced that Japan had surrendered
unconditionally to
the Allies, effectively ending World War II. Since then, both
August 14 and
August 15 have been known as “Victory over Japan Day,” or
simply “VJ Day.”
Coming several months after the surrender of Nazi Germany,
Japan’s capitulation in the Pacific brought six years of hostilities to a final and highly anticipated close.
In
London, huge crowds gathered to cheer King George VI and his Queen on
their way
to Westminster for the opening of Parliament.
King George VI in his
speech on V-J Day highlighted the part played by
British Commonwealth and
Empire peoples:
“The
campaigns in the Far East will be famous in history for many reasons. There is
one feature of them which is a special source of pride to me, and also to you,
the
citizens of our British Commonwealth and Empire to whom I speak. In those
campaigns there have fought, side by side with our allies, representatives of
almost
every unit in our great community - men from the Old Country, men from
the
Dominions, from India, and the Colonies. They fought in brotherhood;
through their
courage and endurance they conquered. To all of them and to the
women who
shared with them the hardships and dangers of war I send my proud and
grateful
thanks.”
The 75th Anniversary takes place on 15th August 2020, when the nation will commemorate this historic moment in time.
There are a number of events taking place, if you would like to participate and learn more, please use the various links contained on this page.
Commemorate VJ Day 75
Participate in the numerous activities taking place during the week leading up to VJ Day 75 on the 15th August 2020:
Pte Joseph Hammond in Conversation:
https://vimeo.com/444935825
Wreath Laying in Rangoon:
https://vimeo.com/445495756
Wreath Laying in Accra:
https://vimeo.com/444903613
Wreath Laying in Kingston:
https://vimeo.com/444925376
Nagaland Veterans:
https://youtu.be/ZbSvODSecbk
RCEL Commemorative Video Montage:
https://vimeo.com/447087086
UK Government VJ Day 75 Website - Containing veteran stories and how to
get involved:
https://ve-vjday75.gov.uk/
The National Army Museum
Programme to commemorate and remember VJ Day,
75 years on. See full list of events
here:
https://www.nam.ac.uk/series/vj-day-75
National Army Museum Crowdcast with Lord Richards
https://www.nam.ac.uk/whats-on/commonwealth-contribution-far-east
ABF The Soldiers
Charity – Interviews with Veterans
https://soldierscharity.org/podcasts/
The Royal British Legion
https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/remembrance/remembrance-events/vj-day
BBC Programme Schedule
https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2020/vj-day
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