And the following day ...

VE Day - May 8, 1945 

Both Great Britain and the United States celebrated VE Day, Victory in Europe Day: Victory in Europe - May 08, 1945 - HISTORY.com

This was the beginning of the end of World War Two, which was the most deadly war of the twentieth century.  But it would not officially end until after VJ Day, Victory over Japan Day, when Japan officially surrendered on September 2, 1945:  V-J Day - World War II - HISTORY.com

One of the largest conflicts in recorded history

Some estimates put the casualties of World War Two over 70 million, making it the most deadly war in modern times: World War Two Statistics

World War Two was sparked by Hitler's invasion of Poland.  And the map in the video below give a summary of the conflicts in Europe:
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For more information, check out:  World War II - Battles, Facts, Videos & Pictures - History.com

As we approach the 70th anniversary of the end of the war, here is a tribute to our veterans, of which over 400,000 gave their lives:

70th Anniversary:

Here are two celebrations to mark this day:

* UK:   VE Day 70th anniversary - GOV.UK

* USA:  Friends of the National World War II Memorial, Washington DC - V-E Day 70th Anniversary


Thank you, veterans as well as those on the home front who also served.

And your sacrifices are part of



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Other posts on this topic:

Dr. Who and World War Two - VE Day is coming. (2010)

A kiss immortalized in August 14, 1945 (2010)

Culture 101 (part 15) - Persevering and Prevailing during Dark Days (2014)

America's Story (part 17) - The Last of the Doolittle Raiders (2015)

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Photo from:  wikipedia/Churchill