What is the VE Day 2020 timetable? From Vera Lynn’s We’ll Meet Again to the Queen’s address to the nation
THE 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day has arrived – and despite the UK-wide lockdown, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the big day.
Although some of the traditional public events we’d usually expect have been cancelled due to social distancing requirements, there’ll be lots happening today to mark the event.
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Timetable for VE Day celebrations
Two-minute silence
At 11am, a two-minute silence was held to honour the sacrifices of those who served in the conflict.
This year, it was also used to reflect on the impact Covid-19 has had.
Royal British Legion livesteam
At 11.15am, the Legion hosted a VE Day 75 Livestream which brought together generations from World War Two to today.
The interviewees also discussed their experiences.
Some served in the war, while others were on the frontline against coronavirus.
Winston Churchill’s victory speech
At 2.45pm, Sophie Raworth presented VE Day 75: The Announcement of Victory on BBC One about Winston Churchill’s famous speech given on May 8 1945.
Churchill, then Prime Minister, addressed the country from Downing Street to give the news about the surrender of the Nazis and the end of the war in Europe.
A full recording of the speech was played, alongside personal testimony read by well-known public figures who recall the VE Day celebrations, and music performed by the military.
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Musicians take to their doorsteps
Musicians around the country were invited to play the Last Post from their homes at 2.55pm.
National toast to our war heroes
At 3pm, Brits were encouraged to go outside and applaud those who fought and died during the conflict.
VE Day: The Lost Films
Channel 5 aired clips from amateur film-makers that had been dug out after decades in storage at 7pm.
The films provided a look at the extraordinary events of May 8, 1945, through the eyes of the people who were celebrating it.
VE Day 75: The People’s Celebration
BBC One hosted a musical celebration at 8pm in a bid to replace the live events and street parties we’d usually expect for VE Day.
Stars such as Shane Richie and Beverley Knight performed well-known songs from the 1930s and 40s, including Bluebirds Over The White Cliffs of Dover and When the Lights Go On Again.
The Queen’s address
A pre-recorded speech by the Queen was broadcast at 9pm.
It’s the exact time her father, King George VI, gave a radio address on May 8, 1945.
We’ll Meet Again singalong
The British public was invited to sing along to Vera Lynn’s We’ll Meet Again after the Queen’s speech.
The song was broadcast on BBC One.
VE Day: Remembering
Famous faces such as David Attenborough, Bruce Forsyth, Miriam Margolyes and June Whitfield shared their memories of the end of the conflict.
The show, on BBC One at 9.10pm, also included John Craven who, aged four, was confused by the celebrations.
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