May 8 is a public holiday: school is closed! But where does this come from? The answer can be found in the Second World War. To find out everything about this very important date for peace, watch this video!
What happened on May 8, 1945?
May 8, 1945 is an important date marking the end of World War II in Europe. She celebrates the signing of the defeat of Nazi Germany against the allies: France, the United States, the United Kingdom and the USSR. But the war continues, particularly in Asia, between the Americans and the Japanese.
In August, the United States launched two atomic bombs on Japan, razing two cities and killing hundreds of thousands… This terrible war ended all over the world on September 2 of the same year.
Why is the date of May 8 so important for France?
Because the Second World War lasted 6 years and caused a lot of casualties and material damage. It is the deadliest conflict in history with nearly 60 million deaths worldwide, the majority of them civilians. Millions of people died in concentration camps: Jews, gypsies, homosexuals, political opponents… During the attacks, many towns, roads and bridges were destroyed.
At the end of the war, countries never wanted to experience that again and created organizations like the UN to unite and maintain peace. Today, May 8 is a public holiday in France. This historic date recalls the fight for freedom and peace.
Florence Blanquart
