“Day of liberation”
How other countries celebrate the end of World War II
May 8th marks the end of World War II in Europe. Many countries commemorate this with celebrations, while others commit the day of liberation earlier.
Around six years of war in Europe with more than 60 million deaths and twelve years of Nazi dictatorship ended on May 8, 1945.
At the end of April, Adolf Hitler committed suicide in Berlin when Soviet troops reach the city. Great Admiral Karl Dönitz will be his successor. On May 7, Colonel of General Alfred Jodl, on behalf of Dönitz, signed the unconditional surrender of the Wehrmacht in the Allied headquarters in Reims. It comes into force on May 8th at 11:01 p.m. The Soviet ruler Josef Stalin insists on a repetition of the ceremony in the Soviet area of sphere. On the night of May 9, high-ranking representatives of the three Wehrmacht parts sign the surrender, this time before the Soviets in their headquarters in Berlin-Karlshorst.
European countries and Russia celebrate the end of the Second World War on both days. In France and Great Britain, May 8 is considered the “day of victory”. Russia commits him on May 9th.
Many countries celebrate liberation from Nazi Germany
Other countries commemorate the liberation before: Denmark, for example, celebrates the “Day of Liberation” on May 4th. The Dutch celebrate the “Bevrijdingsdag” on May 5. Italy commits the “day of liberation” on April 25th.
In Germany, May 8th remained for a long time as a memorial or holiday. In the early years of the young Federal Republic, this day is primarily associated with defeat, displacement and crew. It was not until the end of the 1960s and 1970s to change. The speech by Federal President Richard von Weizsäcker in 1985 marks a turning point: “May 8th was a day of liberation. He freed us all of us from the inhumane system of National Socialist tyranny.” At the same time, he did not release the Germans from responsibility. The crimes of the Holocaust should not be suppressed. Today, May 8th in Berlin is a holiday, but not in the other federal states.
In the GDR, May 8 from 1950 to 1966 and once in 1985 was committed as the “Day of the Liberation of the German People from Hitler fascism”.
In our photo gallery we show how other countries celebrate the end of the Second World War and the end of the Nazi dictatorship.
Sources: News agency dpa ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
RW
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
