VE DAY 75: What is happening and when? Northern Ireland remembers the victory over Nazism three-quarters of a century ago

Today was meant to be filled with public gatherings and street parties to mark 75 years since the victory over Nazism – but instead citizens are invited to take part as best they can from home.
War veteran Teddy Dixon will deliver a message todayWar veteran Teddy Dixon will deliver a message today
War veteran Teddy Dixon will deliver a message today

Councils across Northern Ireland are hosting what they term “virtual commemorations” of VE Day, involving events today (and sometimes over the weekend too).

The News Letter is able only to provide a small snapshot of events from some councils’ VE Day programmes.

Firstly, today will feature a number of UK-wide events:

~ A two-minutes’ silence at 11am;

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~ From 2.45pm the BBC will begin broadcasting a show containing Churchill’s historic victory speech;

~ Just before 3pm, buglers/trumpeters/cornet players across the land are being called upon to play the Last Post, after which the nation as one is asked to go to their doors or windows and raise a toast, saying: “To those who gave so much, we thank you”;

~ The Queen will address the nation at 9pm, again broadcast by the BBC;

~ This will be followed by a nationwide rendition of ‘We’ll Meet Again’ – which is expected to involve residents singing along to the Vera Lynn song from their windows.

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And here is a selection of events for specific council areas:

~ In Antrim and Newtownabbey, the council has a weekend programme of activity beginning at 10am today, with a message from the mayor and a tribute to the fallen. This, and other events including the ‘Toast to the Nation’ at 3pm, will be marked online via this page: www.facebook.com/ANBorough;

~ Belfast City Hall will be illuminated in red (mimicking the occasion 75 years ago when the building was similarly illuminated);

~ A 100-year-old WWII veteran, Teddy Dixon, has pre-recorded a short video to mark the anniversary which will be broadcast on Belfast City Council’s Facebook and Twitter channels at 3pm today – https://www.facebook.com/belfastcitycouncil/;

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~ Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council is running events from today to Sunday – see the list here: www.lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk/ve-day-75th-anniversary-celebrations;

~ In Derry City and Strabane District Council, the Museum and Heritage Services today launches videos and archive material concerning the thousands of military personnel who passed through the port during the war. In particular, a slew of material relating to the search for Sgt Mackenzie Barr, the son of a Londonderry pharmacist who went missing in action with the RAF. See: towermuseumlearning.co.uk;

~ Mid and East Antrim Council had cancelled festivities planned for Larne, but likewise plans a series of virtual events – including a cookery demonstration by Csgt Mike Beaton of the Royal Marines at 1pm today, entitled ‘Dishes from 1945’. It directed residents to the council’s Facebook and Twitter feeds;

~ In Ards and North Down, the council has compiled a wartime music Spotify playlist here: shorturl.at/bfmw1;

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~ In Mid-Ulster, historian Dr Eamon Phoenix will give a presentation on the war in NI at 2pm today: www.facebook.com/HillofTheONeillandRanfurlyHouse.

Not all councils have promoted VE events equally.

In Newry, Mourne and Down, the council’s webpage and Facebook account yesterday managed to avoid a single mention of VE Day, as did Fermanagh and Omagh (though the latter did include other announcements, such as a ‘Happy Ramadan’ message).

READ FIRST-HAND ACCOUNTS OF THE HISTORIC VE DAY CELEBRATIONS IN BELFAST, WHERE PROTESTANT AND CATHOLIC REJOICED ALIKE:

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