Resources
VE Day
Every year, on 8 May, we commemorate the end of the Second World War in Europe, otherwise known as 'Victory in Europe Day' or 'VE Day'.
At 3pm, Prime Minister Winston Churchill, addressed the nation to announce Victory. Church bells rang and factory horns sounded.
The next two days would be public holidays, allowing everyone to celebrate. That Sunday, a Victory parade took place in Belfast and was attended by servicemen and women of all forces. Flags of all the Allied nations were displayed and many thousands of spectators attended.
VE Day
VE Day Learning Resource
Every year, on 8 May, we commemorate the end of the Second World War in Europe, otherwise known as 'Victory in Europe Day' or 'VE Day'.
In this resource, you will learn what the end of the war meant for the people of Northern Ireland and how they celebrated VE Day in 1945.
VE Day
Second World War Stories for Kids VE Day
To mark the 80th anniversary of 'Victory in Europe' or 'VE Day', we've created a special edition of our popular 'Second World War Stories for Kids' video. The stories in this video are performed by talented local actors and are inspired by real memories and real people who were interviewed as part of our Oral History Project.
We hope you enjoy watching it and learning how Victory was celebrated in Northern Ireland.
VE Day
Make Your Own VE Day Crafts
In May 1945 the end of the war in Europe had been expected for some time, so people had been getting ready to celebrate by making decorations and saving food to celebrate with.
On VE Day houses were decked with homemade decorations such as bunting and paper chains. Paper was salvaged during the Second World War to help the war effort, so it was important not to waste it. People used scrap paper and odds-and-ends from around the house to make decorations.
Why don't you have a go at making your own VE Day bunting and paper chains using the templates below. Remember to use scrap paper!
VE Day
VE Day Morse Code Challenge
Morse code is a way to send messages without using words. It has its own alphabet made up of short (dot) and long (dash) sounds or flashes of light. It was used during the Second World War between warships and naval bases because radio frequency was limited and easily identifiable by military enemies.
In this resource, use the International Morse Code alphabet to translate some VE Day headlines and phrases.
VE Day
VE Day Wordsearch
Have a go at completing our VE Day 80 themed wordsearch.
The words may appear downwards, and to the side, but not diagonally.
VE Day
Sing For Victory
Watch our VE Day Sing for Victory video and download the accompanying Sing For Victory Songbook below.
VE Day
Sing For Victory Songbook
Sing-along to songs from the 1940s with our VE Day Sing for Victory video.
Download the Songbook below and sing along to following songs:
VE Day
VE Day Recipe Book
On 8 May 1945, many people took part in a day to celebrate the end of the Second World War in Europe. There were celebrations all over Northern Ireland and many children attended dances, parades, and street parties.
Food, which was rationed during the war, was an important part of the celebrations. Unfortunately no extra food rations were given, so celebratory foods had to come from what was available from a normal weekly shop.
Luckily, because people knew the end of the war was coming, they had been saving sugar and rationed food for weeks in anticipation.
Try some of our wartime recipes as you celebrate VE Day.
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