Churchill’s victory speech and Red Arrows flypast - VE Day 75 - BBC

Britain's wartime leader spoke about a "brief period of rejoicing" amid "toils and efforts" in the replayed speech.

Earlier, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall led a two-minute silence, and later the Queen will address a nation still in lockdown.

Boris Johnson expressed "eternal" gratitude to the wartime generation.

Victory in Europe Day marks the day in 1945 when Britain and its allies accepted the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany, bringing the war in Europe to an end.This year's celebration is limited as the lockdown prompted by the coronavirus pandemic means there will be no large-scale street parties or parades.

But at 15:00 BST, the same time that Winston Churchill addressed the House of Commons on 8 May 1945, BBC One broadcast his words: "We may allow ourselves a brief period of rejoicing, but let us not forget for a moment the toils and efforts that lie ahead."

The commemorations began with a flypast over London by the Royal Air Force display team the Red Arrows, while RAF Typhoon jets flew over Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast.

VE Day 75 | BBC

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[Daone]

We will never forget what this generation did for us all. Proud to be a Brit 🇬🇧🇬🇧

[kurtduvel]

When the Red Arrows do a flyover of his statue in Parliament Square and that war memorial - it's like a one-two punch to the tear-ducts

[marcglover]

Thank you to all of you that gave their lives. USA. Britain and Russia x thank you

[dredge]

He is a truly a hero of Britain winston Churchill 🇬🇧 an we shall never forget the generation who saved millions of our generations

[heidistinton]

On 've day just one word to all veterans and the many who never came back, fighting a war so we could be free and getting rid of

[janelondon]

I grew up listening to these things, watching on the newsreels at the pictures and so on. I was born a few weeks before VE day. Post war England was MY England. I wish in many ways it was still like that. Not the damage of course but the people all so friendly, pulling together, so close. It's simply not the same anymore as I found out when I went back there in 2014. I never dreamt it could come down to what it has now. We need Churchill back so much.

[SportsBrandBuilders]

Wow how proud do the Red Arrows make you feel being British!

[itnoone]

Churchill makes me proud to be british🇬🇧

[halethewhale]

One of the greatest speeches the world has ever heard. 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[WilliamAndScout]

Bravo. A lesson won hard and needing to be remembered.

[AngelShona]

Much respect Winston our friend. And bless ALL that lost their lives in the great atrocities in ALL WARS . BRAVE WERE THEY. SO MANY. NO WE SHALL NEVER EVER FORGET THEM. 💟💜🌹✌👏👏👏👏👏👏

[pmarsh]

On celebrating the 75th anniversary of VE day, I thank the greatest generation who sacrificed their day for ours. God bless them all.

[OwenRPursey]

🇬🇧❤️I'm so glad to be British! ❤️🇬🇧

[mozzi]

The amount of disrespect this man gets for saving the world

[JynxedKoma]

Forever are you forgiven, Finland. We understand your plight with the Russians during the war. UK & Finland forever! <3

[Thenaturehealer]

God I love this speech. God bless all the men and women who gave their lives for our freedom. Churchill was a genius.

[zuzuribeiro]

Imagine the amount of stress that this man had to deal?!?!

[pauladail]

As an American living in a deeply divided nation lacking in cohesive leadership, this brought tears to my eyes. I am envious of the national pride and unity that underscored British life during WW II and continues today. If America was able to achieve something even close to this, we'd be much better citizens of the world and friends to each other.

[ib]

Best thing I've seen on bbc since I cancelled my tv licence ✌

[mitch]

Very emotional. Peace and love will prevail