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VE TIME

What time is the VE Day two minutes’ silence today?

A TWO-MINUTE silent will be held to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day this morning.

But when will the silence begin and why is the iconic day celebrated?

 the VE day silence will be held from 11am today
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the VE day silence will be held from 11am todayCredit: Getty Images - Getty

What time is the two minutes' silence today?

The VE day minute's silence will be from 11am today.

The silence will be held for two minutes across the country.

At 11.15am, the nation is invited to join in with the Royal British Legion’s VE Day 75 live-stream, the 45-minute programme will feature stories from those who served and sacrificed.

There will be a gap of a few hours, then at 3pm, VE day celebrations will resume with the Nation’s Toast to the Heroes of World War Two.

This is followed by a pre-recorded address by the Queen, that will be broadcast at the exact moment her father, King George VI, gave his radio address on May 8 1945.

After the Queen's address to the nation, the country will join in unison to belt out a rendition of Vera Lynn’s We’ll Meet Again on BBC One.

 Today marks the 75th anniversary of VE day
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Today marks the 75th anniversary of VE dayCredit: AP:Associated Press

Why do we hold a two-minute silence on VE Day?

A two-minute silence will be held to honour the service and sacrifice of the wartime generation and reflect on the devastating impact Covid-19 has had on so many lives across the world.

The special day celebrates the formal acceptance by the Allies of World War II of Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender of its armed forces on Tuesday, 8 May 1945.

Most countries celebrate VE day on May 8, but Russia and Israel celebrate it on May 9.

Today marks the 75th anniversary of VE day.

 Unfortunately, Brits won't be able to celebrate how they usually do and will have to do so at home due to the lockdown
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Unfortunately, Brits won't be able to celebrate how they usually do and will have to do so at home due to the lockdownCredit: Paul Edwards - The Sun

What else is happening on May 8 to commemorate victory in Europe?

Celebrations will be held all over Europe to mark VE day, with each country celebrating in their own way.

In France, the day is marked with church services, ceremonies and parades, French flags fly from the tops of poles everywhere and the air force thunders overhead in dramatic flyovers, wreaths are laid during the ceremonies at monument aux morts in each village, town and city.

Israel now hosts the largest and most extensive Victory Day celebrations outside the former Soviet Union, the  traditions and customs of VE day are the same as in Russia, with marches of Immortal Regiments held in cities with large populations of Red Army veterans and their descendants.

Due to the coronavirus lockdown, countries won't be able to celebrate how they usually do, people will have to celebrate from their homes or through social media on this year's VE day.

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RAF hero, 96, inspired by Captain Tom Moore climbing 1,000 steps by VE Day to raise money for NHS
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