VE Day 80th Anniversary

The biggest community event in recent UK history, with 31.1 million people (47% of the population) taking part.*

17.2 million actively joined events, from street gatherings and school assemblies to care home concerts and city-wide celebrations. Around 285,000 children across the UK joined our VE Mail campaign, where students wrote personal letters to eight living WWII veterans, and built powerful bridges between generations through words, memory, and gratitude.

From biryani in mosques to sponge cake in village greens, the UK came together across race, faith and background – not just to honour those who served, but to rediscover what brings us together.

In a time of uncertainty and division, VE Day 80 offered a glimpse of what a more connected, compassionate future could look like.

* – Based on 2,006 GB adults, More in Common poll based on 66,344,827 Great Britain population.

A group of adults and school children holding up VE Mail signs. There are two World War II veterans in the middle of the group

VE Day 80: Echoes of the Past, Voices of the Future

VE Day 80 impact

In a time of growing division and disconnection, VE Day 80 became more than a commemoration: it was a nationwide reminder of who we are when we come together.

Thanks to the backing of our partners and supporters, we turned remembrance into action by helping young people learn from living history, bridging generations and communities, and building momentum for a more connected future. The numbers speak for themselves, but the impact runs even deeper.

A Great British Food Festival banner on the side of the Bradford Live building

Partners

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National VE Day 80 events

VE Day 80 years ago was a moment in history that shaped the rest of our lives. I hope we can summon the spirit of that day again this anniversary to remember those who gave so much and to remind us of the values we care about. It’s great the Royal British Legion and Together Coalition are doing this for the country, so communities and school children can come together, share something special and today’s young people can see for themselves what our generation did all those years ago when we were young.
D-Day veteran Jim Miller, aged 100, from Merthyr Vale
VE and VJ Day 80 are important opportunities for us to come together as a nation and celebrate the freedoms that so many people fought to secure. These commemorations will be marked in every corner of the country and I encourage everyone to get involved.
Lisa Nandy, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
Moments like this matter, they bring us together as a country and remind us of the freedoms we sometimes take for granted. They also give us an opportunity to thank everyone who contributed to the victory from the UK and across the Commonwealth. Let’s make this a party to remember!
Dame Kelly Holmes MBE (mil) OLY
VE Day marks a major moment in our history – when Britain helped defeat the forces of fascism and protect our democracy. Taking part is an opportunity for us all to honour those who sacrificed so much, to reconnect with our neighbours and communities – and to remember the values that underpinned the victory. They matter as much today as they did then. This might be our last chance to thank the surviving veterans – so we should celebrate them in style.
Ross Kemp
The 80th anniversary of VE Day provides one of our last opportunities to honour our living WWII veterans who so bravely fought for our democracy and way of life.
Michael Sheen

VE Day 80 highlights

Read the veteran open letter here

Press coverage

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Department for Culture, Media and Sport

The community celebrations are led by The /together Coalition as part of the UK Government’s national programme to commemorate the 80th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day, led by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

/together are a coalition of the UK’s best known organisations, businesses and faith groups, committed to building kinder, closer and more connected communities. Find out more about our work here.