Skip to content Sky News - back to home Watch Live Home UK Politics World US Money Science, Climate & Tech Ents & Arts Programmes New, Puzzles Videos Analysis Data & Forensics Offbeat Weather More Home UK Politics World US Money Science, Climate & Tech Ents & Arts Programmes New, Puzzles Videos Analysis Data & Forensics Offbeat Weather At 3pm on 8 May 1945, Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill declared that all German forces had surrendered. It marked the end of almost six years of war in Europe, in which 384,000 British soldiers and 70,000 civilians were killed. Ecstatic crowds celebrate at London's Piccadilly Circus. Pic: Getty Ecstatic crowds celebrate at London's Piccadilly Circus. Pic: Getty On the streets of London, where buildings had been destroyed and nearly 20,000 residents killed in the Blitz, two days of joyous celebrations began. Eighty years on, we remember how VE Day unfolded. Image captions Broadcasting live on radio, Churchill declared the "unconditional surrender of all German land, sea, and air forces in Europe" to the nation. Hostilities would formally end at a minute past midnight, he said, pronouncing: "The German war is therefore at an end," while cautioning that fighting would continue between Allied forces and the Japanese. In his famously stirring tone, he reflected on how, after France fell, Britain "maintained the struggle" against Hitler's forces "singlehandedly" for a year before being joined by "our splendid Allies"."We may allow ourselves a brief period of rejoicing… Today is victory in Europe day." He signed off: "Let us not forget for a moment the toil and efforts that lie ahead. Advance Britannia. Long live the cause of freedom. God save the King!" Image captions Image 1 Churchill's 3pm VE Day radio broadcast. Pic: Maj Horton/ IWM Churchill's 3pm VE Day radio broadcast. Pic: Maj Horton/ IWM Churchill's 3pm VE Day radio broadcast. Pic: Maj Horton/ IWM Soldiers and civilians sit above the entrance to Piccadilly Circus Tube Station to watch celebrations. Pic: Getty Soldiers and civilians sit above the entrance to Piccadilly Circus Tube Station to watch celebrations. Pic: Getty The view above Picadilly Circus. Pic: AP The view above Picadilly Circus. Pic: AP The view from Trafalgar Square down to the Houses of Parliament. Pic: PA The view from Trafalgar Square down to the Houses of Parliament. Pic: PA Whitehall filled with people celebrating. Pic: AP Whitehall filled with people celebrating. Pic: AP Trafalgar Square full on VE Day. Pic: PA Trafalgar Square on VE Day. Pic: PA Families fly flags and bunting in the street. Pic: PA Families fly flags and bunting in the street. Pic: PA Crowds had already formed overnight in London after news of ceasefires along all fronts broke the previous day, and VE Day was declared a national holiday. By the time of Churchill's speech, Trafalgar Square, Whitehall, and the Mall were filled with an estimated one million people. Churchill had been assured there was enough beer for the hundreds of thousands celebrating across the capital... and people were allowed to buy bunting without using their rations. After Churchill's radio announcement echoed through the streets, thousands outside Buckingham Palace began chanting: "We want the King!" Crowds watch the Guards return to Wellington Barracks as they wait for the King. Pic: AP Crowds watch the Guards return to Wellington Barracks as they wait for the King. Pic: AP The public waits for the royals outside Buckingham Palace. Pic: AP Crowds waits for the royals outside Buckingham Palace. Pic: AP It wasn't long before he obliged, and at 3.11pm King George VI appeared on the balcony alongside his wife, Queen Elizabeth, and daughters, Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret, for the first of five times that day. The Royal Family and Churchill on the Buckingham Palace balcony. Pic: AP Princess Elizabeth, Margaret, Sir Winston Churchill, King George VI, and Queen Elizabeth on the Buckingham Palace balcony. Pic: AP Image captions After his official broadcast, Churchill led a procession of MPs to St Margaret's Church in Westminster for a service of thanksgiving. As crowds cheered with delight from either side of the procession, some politicians smiled, while others appeared sombre, still reflecting on the heavy toll of the war. A map shows the procession route Churchill and his MPs took on VE Day A map shows the procession route Churchill and his MPs took on VE Day Twenty similar services were held back-to-back at St Paul's Cathedral for members of the public throughout the day. Churchill and MPs during the procession through Westminster. Pic: AP Churchill and MPs during the procession through Westminster. Pic: AP Meanwhile, huge crowds had gathered outside the Ministry of Health on Whitehall, where Churchill eventually appeared to make another VE Day speech. People gather outside the Ministry of Health waiting for Churchill to appear. Pic: AP People gather outside the Ministry of Health waiting for Churchill to appear. Pic: AP He told the thousands assembled: "This is your victory. In all our long history we h
VE Day 2025: A moment of joy captured 80 years ago
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