To mark the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, Sophie Raworth introduces a national moment of remembrance to pay tribute to heroes of the past and present.
On 8 May 1945, Sir Winston Churchill broadcast the announcement that the war in Europe was over. To mark the 75th anniversary of this historic and unforgettable event, Sophie Raworth presents a special tribute to the Second World War generation. At the heart of the broadcast is Churchill’s powerful address to the nation, in which he declared ‘we may allow ourselves a brief period of rejoicing’, leading millions to celebrate the end of the war in Europe. Through stirring military music, moving personal testimony and readings from VIPS and celebrities, all those who fought and contributed to the war effort will be remembered and celebrated.
To mark the 75th anniversary of VE day, in these unprecedented times, the BBC and the Royal British Legion honour and celebrate the Second World War generation with an evening of memories and music. Featuring some of those who remember this historic day, and some of Britain’s favourite performers, including Katherine Jenkins, Adrian Lester, Anton Du Beke, Beverley Knight, Helen George, Sharon D Clarke, Shane Richie and Emma Barton, entertaining us with popular songs of the era. In a fitting finale at 9pm, the nation is asked to unite for a very special rendition of We’ll Meet Again as a gesture of thanks to our veterans and in memory of our loved ones.
On the 8th May 1945, Churchill broadcast the long-awaited announcement that the war in Europe was over. Seventy-five years on, some of Britain’s best-loved entertainers and broadcasters recall the jubilation of that unforgettable day. To celebrate, Britain threw the biggest street party the country had ever seen. The extraordinary archive of celebrations all over Britain helps bring back the memories. Britain's celebrities - including Patrick Stewart, Anne Reid, Miriam Margolyes, and Dame Cleo Laine - share their memories of the tea parties, bonfires, joyful tears and dancing in the streets. The programme also includes interviews with Sir Bruce Forsyth, Dame June Whitfield, Honor Blackman, Kenny Lynch and Leslie Phillips who have died since the programme was first shown. After the heady days of celebration, it was back to the realities of food rationing and troops slowly returning home at last, with the nation gradually getting back on its feet. The gloom of austerity was replaced a new era of optimism and prosperity. This is the story of the Victory Generation. Interviewees: Sir David Attenborough, Johnny Ball, Honor Blackman, Jilly Cooper CBE, John Craven OBE, Sir Bruce Forsyth, Dame Cleo Laine, Kenny Lynch OBE, Miriam Margolyes OBE, Sir Michael Parkinson, Leslie Phillips CBE, Anne Reid MBE, Dame Esther Rantzen, Sir Patrick Stewart, Una Stubbs, Dame June Whitfield.
Scotland remembers the men and women who battled to bring Hitler's forces to their knees. Behind the flags and bunting of popular memory, the last week of the European war witnessed incredible tales of endurance, compassion and cruelty. / / Bombers that had rained destruction on German cities dropped food to the starving Dutch. Scottish POWs were held hostage by their Russian 'allies'. At home an exhausted nation awaited the final German surrender. Across Europe, on land, sea and air, Scotland's heroes remember the last week of their war
