Kent parties like there’s a new tomorrow

On May 8, 1945, people across Kent celebrated the end to years of pain, hardship and loss. Victory in Europe Day marked the final nail in the coffin of Hitler’s Nazi Germany, bringing a collective sigh of relief from the citizens who had endured the struggles of war on England’s frontline for the past six years.

For many, the historic day is best remembered by the words of Sir Winston Churchill as he spoke to crowds at Whitehall in the heart of London.

Addressing Britain, he said: “God bless you all. This is your victory! It is the victory of the cause of freedom in every land.

“In all our long history we have never seen a greater day than this. Everyone, man or woman, has done their best.

Everyone has tried.

“Neither the long years, nor the dangers, nor the fierce attacks of the enemy, have in any way weakened the independent resolve of the British nation. God bless you all...”

“My dear friends, this is your hour. This is not victory of a party or of any class.

“It’s a victory of the great British nation as a whole.”

Churchill’s late-night radio announcement the evening before meant there was little time to organise celebrations, and so the festivities that took place were impromptu.

Despite a world without the internet, the news of victory had spread quickly across Europe, and although the Allies had collectively decided VE Day would be marked on May 9, it was leaked early to the press.

This prompted Churchill’s evening broadcast to be brought forward to May 7 and VE Day forever became May 8.