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[[File:Depiction of Soviet flag over the Reichstag.jpg|right|415px|thumb|V-E Day depiction of the Soviet flag raised over the [[Reichstag]]. The original black and white photograph had been touched with color added by Soviet artists.]]

[[File:Depiction of Soviet flag over the Reichstag.jpg|right|415px|thumb|V-E Day depiction of the Soviet flag raised over the [[Reichstag]]. The original black and white photograph had been touched with color added by Soviet artists.]]

'''V-E Day''' celebrates the '''Victory in Europe''' over [[Nazi Germany]] by the [[Soviet Union]] and its [[Allies of World War II]]. During the [[Cold War]] in [[the West]], May 8 was commemorated as the day a document was signed a few minutes before midnite giving an unconditional surrender of with [[Angelo-American]] forces in France in 1945. In [[Russia]], '''Victory Day''' is the largest national holiday celebrated on May 9, when German forces surrendered to Russian forces in the German capital of [[Berlin]]. The Allies had agreed among themselves beforehand that none would accept a separate peace with [[Germany]].  Gen. [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]], Commander of Allied Forces in France, recognized the May 9 Berlin surrender as the authentic surrender date and document.

'''Victory Day''' commemorates the victory over [[Nazi Germany]] by the [[Soviet Union]] and its [[Allies of World War II]] in 1945. In [[Russia]], Victory Day remains the largest national holiday celebrated on May 9, when German forces surrendered to Russian forces in the German capital of [[Berlin]].   On May 9, shortly after midnight [[Moscow]] time Field Marshal [[Wilhelm Keitel]] signed the surrender document to the Russian forces in Berlin.

Upon the death of [[Hitler]] and [[Goebbels]], Grand Admiral [[Karl Dönitz]] was appointed Chancellor (the short-lived Flensburg government). Dönitz immediately opened up negotiations with the [[Western alliance|Western Powers]] to offer Germany's unconditional surrender.  The Western Powers had previously agreed with their [[Soviet]] allies not to accept a separate peace.

Upon the death of [[Hitler]] and [[Goebbels]], Grand Admiral [[Karl Dönitz]] was appointed Chancellor (the short-lived Flensburg government). Dönitz immediately opened up negotiations with the [[Western alliance|Western Powers]] to offer [[Germany]]'s unconditional surrender. Dönitz authorized General [[Alfred Jodl]] to sign an unconditional surrender before midnite on May 8 to American and British forces in [[Reims]], France.  The Western Powers had previously agreed with their [[Soviet]] allies not to accept a separate peace. During the [[Cold War]], '''V-E Day''' or '''Victory in Europe''' day was marked as May 8 in [[the West]].  Gen. [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]] however, Commander of Allied Forces in France, recognized the May 9 Berlin surrender as the authentic surrender date and document.

 

On May 7, Dönitz authorized General Alfred Jodl, to sign the unconditional surrender of German forces in the West to the American and British forces in [[Reims]]. On May 9, shortly after midnight Moscow time Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel signed the surrender document to the Russian forces in Berlin.

May 9 has been a national holiday in the [[Russian Federation]] since its formation 1991.  May 9 became a non-working holiday in the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic in 1963 and only two years later in the Russian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic in 1965.

May 9 has been a national holiday in the [[Russian Federation]] since its formation 1991.  May 9 became a non-working holiday in the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic in 1963 and only two years later in the Russian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic in 1965.