Difference between revisions of "Victory Day"
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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.]] | ||
| − | '''Victory Day''' commemorates the victory over [[Nazi Germany]] by the [[Soviet Union | + | '''Victory Day''' commemorates the victory over [[Nazi Germany]] and its [[European]] allies by the [[Soviet Union]] in 1945. In [[Russia]], Victory Day remains the largest national holiday celebrated since German forces surrendered on May 9, shortly after midnight ([[Moscow]] time}. Field Marshal [[Wilhelm Keitel]] signed the surrender document to the Russian forces in the German capital of [[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. 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. | + | 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. |
| − | May | + | 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. |
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| + | May 9 became a non-working holiday in the Ukraine Soviet Socialist Republic in 1963 and only two years later in the Russian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic in 1965. May 9 was recognized as an national holiday by the [[Russian Federation]] in 1991 when it ascended as the predecessor regime to the Soviet Union. | ||
==External link== | ==External link== | ||
Revision as of 17:47, May 6, 2023
Victory Day commemorates the victory over Nazi Germany and its European allies by the Soviet Union in 1945. In Russia, Victory Day remains the largest national holiday celebrated since German forces surrendered on May 9, shortly after midnight (Moscow time}. Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel signed the surrender document to the Russian forces in the German capital of 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 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.
May 9 became a non-working holiday in the Ukraine Soviet Socialist Republic in 1963 and only two years later in the Russian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic in 1965. May 9 was recognized as an national holiday by the Russian Federation in 1991 when it ascended as the predecessor regime to the Soviet Union.