Preparing to Commemorate VE and VJ Day
Portsmouth City Council will celebrate our proud heritage as a Naval city by announcing a series of activities and events designed to honour our nation's veterans and engage local residents in commemorating the 80th anniversaru of Victory in Europe (VE) Day on 8 May 1945 and Victory over Japan (VJ) Day a few months later on 15 August. The events, organised by your Lib Dem-led council, will keep history alive and promote pride in our city and historic awareness as the number of WWII veterans decreases.
The council is also inviting you to contibute to a new exhibition at Portsmouth History Centre by sharing your WWII and VE Day photograps. If you've got photos and memories to share you can take them to the Portsmouth History Centre at the Central Library for copying or you can email them to portsmouthhistorycentre@portsmouthcc.gov.uk. Your contributions will play a vital role in preserving and celebrating our shared history.
We'd like to invite all residents to join us in commemorating the 80th anniversary of VE Day and VJ Day, and to take part in these activities. We're proud to host events like these, to honour veterans, engage the community, and promote civic pride and historical awareness.
Cllr Steve Pitt, Leader of Portsmouth City Council
Portsmouth's official commemoration events will include:
- A multi-faith service will be held on 4 May 2025, 11:00am, at Governor's Green, Portsmouth, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at sea to honour the sacrifices made during WWII.
- An exhibition at Portsmouth History Centre, Central Library, will feature local WWII images with interactive engagement and also temporary plaques on lampposts across the city.
- Victory in 80 Objects, an online exhibition created and led by the D-Day Story Museum, in national partnership with six leading military museums, showcasing 80 WWII victory-related objects and their stories.
- WWII veterans' interviews will be shared by The D Day Story Museum, providing a personal and poignant insight into the experiences of those who lived through the war.
- A VE Day event at The D Day Story (11 May) to offer an immersive experience for visitors to learn about and celebrate VE Day, including re-enactments, activities, and military vehicle exhibitions.
If you're organising your own event or VE Day street party, let us know. Your local Lib Dem team would love to visit your events and share your stories.