Her Majesty The Queen will send a message to the nation at 9pm on Friday 8 May to lead the weekend of lockdown celebrations.
The revised plans to commemorate the 75th anniversary of VE Day which will include an address from Her Majesty The Queen have been announced by the UK Government.
In line with government guidance, VE Day 75 events have been scaled back and the Veterans’ procession down the Mall will no longer take place.
However, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has announced a new programme that will allow members of the public to remember and give thanks to the Second World War generation from the safety of their own homes.
"In these difficult times, acts of remembrance are even more poignant and I am sure that millions will want to join me to remember and give thanks to those who gave so much to secure peace, freedom and prosperity in Europe." he explained.
"We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to the greatest generation that served in combat and on the home front during the Second World War."
The Early May Bank holiday was moved to 8th May this year to enable the VE Day celebrations to be enjoyed over a 3 day weekend. While many events will have been cancelled due to the Covid-19 lockdown there are many historical events to be enjoyed over the weekend.
The official commemorations will begin at 11am with a national moment of remembrance and a two minute silence.
The BBC will broadcast two special programmes on BBC One to mark VE 75 which will be shown at 14:45 – 15:45 and 20:00 - 21:10.
His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales will read an extract from King George VI’s diary from 8 May 1945 which describes the day including The Royal Family’s iconic Buckingham Palace balcony appearances.
As part of special BBC programming, extracts from Sir Winston Churchill’s victory speech will recreate the moment peace in Europe was announced 75 years ago at 3pm and the Prime Minister will speak about the importance of VE Day.
Members of The Royal Family, the Prime Minister and the Culture Secretary will take part in a series of video calls with Second World War veterans and those who served on the Home Front. First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford will also host calls with veterans in Wales.
Her Majesty The Queen will send a message to the nation at 9pm on BBC One, the exact moment her father, King George VI, gave a radio address in 1945. This will be followed by a national singalong of Dame Vera Lynn’s ‘We’ll Meet Again’ and the public will be encouraged to open their doors and join in with this national moment of celebration.
The Royal British Legion’s Assistant Director of Commemorative Events, Bob Gamble OBE, said "With members of the public unable to attend VE Day 75 events, we are calling on people across the UK to mark the anniversary from home and take part in these national moments of remembrance and thanksgiving. There is no right or wrong way to take part in the Silence at 11am, some people may wish to stand at their windows or step outside their front door, but we hope that individuals and families across the UK will embrace the opportunity to share in a national moment of reflection. As we face some of the most challenging times since the Second World War, now more than ever it is important to unite in recognition of people’s service to the nation, just as communities did 75 years ago."
You'll find some great resources to help you plan your VE 75 celebrations here
We also have a free download with printable resources for you to use here
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