But how did Londoners celebrate VE day<\/a> when the news first broke in 1945?<\/p>\n When the news first broke<\/p>\n Despite VE Day being held on May 8, the announcement of the end of the Second World War was made on the evening of May 7, prompting many to begin celebrations immediately. Alongside this announcement was news that May 8 and May 9 would be public holidays. <\/p>\n Jubilant crowds emerged across the country and through Piccadilly circus to commence the celebrations. People poured into pubs and hung out bunting and flags. People also bought US and Soviet Union flags to celebrate Britain\u2019s allies. Among those gathering in London<\/a> were servicemen and women. <\/p>\n The services celebrate VE-Day, some in ‘non-regulation’ headgear, London, 8th May 1945. (Photo by Hulton Archive\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n Getty Images<\/p>\n Amidst the victory and jubilations, many remained sad and were grieving loved ones who gave their lives to fight in the war. More than 384,000 British soldiers were killed during the most catastrophic war in human history.<\/p>\n Dusk to dawn street parties<\/p>\n On the evening of May 7, parties went on well into the early hours, even though technically London was still under blackout. In St James\u2019 Park, people threw confetti and revelled through the streets.<\/p>\n Celebrations tided over to May 8, where it was estimated that more than 50,000 people had gathered in Picadilly Circus to continue the street parties and celebrations. Pubs were said to have run dry of beer by the early evening. <\/p>\n A report from the Evening Standard on VE Day said crowds cheered for MPs, cheered during the Changing of the Guard, and jammed Parliament-street, before decorating every monument in Parliament square. <\/p>\n Joan Hall, who served four years in the Women\u2019s RAF and celebrated VE Day in London, told the British Legion that \u201cIt was a once in a lifetime feeling of jubilation. The crowds and noise [were] like nothing I\u2019ve experienced since.\u201d <\/p>\n On VE Day, licensing hours were extended and the blackout was lifted. People were also excited to see the end of clothes and food rationing, as well as other wartime restrictions and dangers. <\/p>\n Prime Minister Winston Churchill addresses the crowd in Whitehall, 8 May 1945<\/p>\n \u00a9 IWM (H 41849)<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-1053635018.jpeg\")
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