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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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V-E Day
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(Victory in Europe, 8 May 1945) The official end of *World War II in Europe. Germany's unconditional surrender was signed on May 7 and all hostilities were to cease by midnight on May 8 – the signal, in *Churchill's words, 'for the greatest outburst of joy in the history of mankind'. At the centre of Britain's celebrations was a vast crowd in the Mall, jubilantly awaiting the appearance of Churchill with the king and queen on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. In his broadcast on that day Churchill warned of the continued sacrifices needed in the war against Japan. V-J Day (Victory in Japan, 15 Aug. 1945) was a more arbitrary date. The Japanese surrender was offered on August 10 with a proviso about the emperor's status, and it was not formally ratified until September 2.
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