VE-Day-75-Celebrations at Home

How to mark VE Day 75 at home as a family

As will no doubt be aware be are we mark the 7th anniversary of VE Day on the weekend of 8th to 10th May., with the actual date being marked by a bank holiday on 8th May.   Due to the ongoing Covid-19 situation, all planned gatherings are cancelled, however there are still ways to celebrate this momentous occasion in British history at home.

Education

If you would like to teach your kids more about the circumstances of VE Day there are various resources available online

The British Movietone channel on YouTube is full of fantastic genuine wartime newsreel including this video marking VE Day celebrations in London

If you have a Twinkl subscription you will find a number of different downloadable cross-curricular resource packs for a number of different age groups on the site.

The English Heritage website is full of fantastic resources including a downloadable pack with activities for marking the event at home,  9 things you should know about VE Day and historical pictures commemorating the original event.

BBC Teach has a whole set of lessons and activities for Key Stage 2 aged children on their website and BBC School Radio has a number of performances of WW2 Songs for added context and a radio adaptation with associated resources of Carrie's War.

The Imperial War Museum has released a series of articles about VE Day with links to relevant objects that are hosted within the museum.

The World Book Day website has compiled a list of brilliant books to make the 75th anniversary of VE Day  and you can access a free eBook from Oxford Owl for learner readers if you search for 'What Was It Like' on their site.

Celebrations (Food, crafts, activities)

**A national 2 minute silence is scheduled for 11am**

Due to current social distancing restrictions, all scheduled street parties and public celebrations of the event are cancelled, however there are lots of ways to carry out your own celebrations.

Whilst a street party may be off-limits there are plenty of ways to replicate the idea at home on a smaller scale with your family.  If you are keen to create a really authentic feel then try these authentic recipes using rationed ingredients, this National Trust devised wartime carrot cake or visit the 1940's experiment website for lots of tips and ideas for your family to try.  For a more up-to-date twist, you may want to look at afternoon tea recipes or family-friendly picnic-style ideas including these dishes which can be prepared in less than 20 minutes.

The VE and VJ Day website contains lots of official details of what is planned for the day in the absence of public gatherings and will be updated as the day draws closer.  It also contains downloadable resources.

BBC Local Radio has created its own special VE Day 75 'Great British Bunting' to display in your window at home.  Visit their website to find out more and download templates.  The official VE and VJ  website also has their own alternative bunting pattern that can be downloaded here.  If you prefer to tackle fabric bunting, we recommend the instructions and patterns at the Hobbycraft and  Bride de Force websites.

BBC VE Day 75 programming is still to be announced but will include a musical celebration.  More details will follow once the schedule for the weekend has been fully announced

The British Legion are also encouraging all those taking part to intake the 'Nation's Toast to the Heroes of WW2 at 3pm on the 8th May' from the safety of their own home by standing up and raising a glass of refreshment and undertake the following 'Toast' “To those who gave so much, we thank you.” 

The British Legion - will be hosting a 45 minutes live stream bringing the World War Two generation today with today's generation  with full details still to be announced via their website.

For more general information, visit the VE Day 75 website and learn how you can still support the event and get involved.