Victory Day

Victory Day marks the capitulation of Nazi forces to the Soviet Union and other principal allied nations in Berlin on May 8, 1945. It is celebrated in the successor states to the Soviet Union on May 9 (i.e. the first full day of victory) - especially Russia, Ukraine and Belorussia.

Although most western European countries mark VE (Victory in Europe) Day as on 8 May, that marks the day after the German surrender to the UK, France and the United States only. The Red Army's commanders in Berlin insisted that the Germans surrender to all the powers of the alliance and so another surrender ceremony was enacted late on 8 May and so for the Soviet Union victory was celebrated on May 9.

In the countries of the European Union, May 9 is marked as Europe Day, to mark the publication of the Schumann Plan in 1950 - which eventually led to the establishment of the European Economic Community.