IWM supported the UK Government’s commemorations for VE Day by providing curatorial expertise and archive material

To mark the historic moment the Second World War ended in Europe in 1945, four days of celebrations were organised by the UK Government. IWM's Image & Film Licensing department worked with several partners to support the commemorations - here are some highlights.  

Big Ben

On 6 May 2025 iconic landmarks across the UK were lit up in the evening. This included the Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben) with projections depicting photographs of VE Day celebrations from 1945, a time when the tower was also illuminated to signify the end of the blackout period. 

Piccadilly Circus

At 3pm on 8 May 1945, Winston Churchill made a national broadcast, declaring the end of the war in Europe. Large crowds quickly gathered in central London, with Piccadilly Circus being a major focal point. 

80 years later the large screen at Piccadilly Circus was taken over with a filmed tribute featuring archive footage of Churchill from a Canadian Army Newsreel. It was created by M+C Saatchi Group UK and Ocean Outdoor, working with DCMS and The Together Coalition.

VE Day 80 Immersive experience

Augmented Reality (AR) software, developed by Atlantic Productions and IWM, lets anyone who has a smartphone explore the stories behind five iconic photographs from 8 May 1945 and hear the voices of those who were there. 

Users scan a QR code on their digital device to view the original black & white photos which are brought to life with colour. Within each one you can hear powerful testimony via extracts in IWM's sound collection, enabling the day to be seen from several different perspectives. 

Historical photographs included two small girls waving their flags in the rubble of Battersea, London.

BBC Coverage

The BBC marked the 80th anniversary with a slate of special programming. This included a thanksgiving service from Westminster Abbey where a photograph of Churchill making a BBC broadcast on VE Day was displayed on screens and televised. 

 VE Day 80 Concert 

The finale of the celebrations culminated in A Celebration to Remember live concert from Horse Guards Parade where archive footage was displayed on screens alongside performances. Special guests included King Charles reading from his late mother's diary on VE Day.   

Royal Mail

“Behind every victory of a nation there are countless unsung heroes whose courage and sacrifice shaped the future of the world."  Emma Gilthorpe, CEO of Royal Mail

Royal Mail issued a set of 10 commemorative stamps for VE Day.  5 images were licensed from IWM including portraits of RAF pilot Mahinder Singh Pujji (left) who received the Distinguished Flying Cross and Lilian Bader (right), one of the first Black women to serve in the RAF. 

Royal Mint

Developed with IWM, this limited edition 2025 Stories of the Second World War 50p coin features bespoke artwork by Timothy Noad, depicting three of the General Service medals awarded to those who served during the Second World War.

All Jigsaw

Featuring a montage of images from the IWM archives; this 1000-piece commemorative jigsaw puzzle is a heartfelt tribute to those who fought for our freedom and the joyous moments that followed.

Find out more

In 2025 IWM is marking the 80th anniversaries of three significant moments at the end of the War: the liberation of Bergen-Belsen concentration camp on 15 April 1945, VE (Victory in Europe) Day on 8 May 1945, and VJ (Victory over Japan) Day on 15 August 1945.

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