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VE DAY

75 years since the end of World War Two in Europe, we look back at that day in 1945 

8th May 2020

Miriam Barker

VE Day: ‘The most joyous day of my entire life’

Perspectives on VE day: Prof Brian Ford and Prof Hanna Diamond 

"The reason it fixed itself so much in a 5 year old’s mind was because of the way everything changed."

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Professor Brian Ford clearly remembers when 75 years ago today his parents took him to London to celebrate VE Day.

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"Up until that moment everything had been black, dark and contained and suddenly all the light were on, there were lights everywhere. Black out curtains were taken down, doors and windows were open.

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"The whole of life from that day was so different because it was dictated by brightness, light and happiness and until then it had been dictated by sombre, darkness and control.

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"In terms of a community it was the most joyous day, I have ever known in my entire life."

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VE DAY – OR ‘Victory in Europe Day’ – is the day towards the end of World War Two when fighting against Nazi Germany in Europe came to an end.

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Second World War historian Professor Hanna Diamond from Cardiff University said that despite it being a day of celebration some people struggle to join in the festivities.

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‘We have to be wary of thinking everyone was euphoric because of course there were many who were bereaved or traumatised and felt they couldn’t join in the celebrations, however the overall impression was that this was a real pivotal moment and marked the end of something really difficult," she said.

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