Commemorating the 70th Anniversary of V-E Day at The National WWII Museum

On May 7, 1945, the surrender of Germany was announced, officially ending the European phase of World War II. Allied leaders decided that May 8 would be celebrated as Victory in Europe Day (V-E Day). Join us the first week of May as we celebrate the 70th anniversary of V-E Day with a variety of events.

Upcoming V-E Day Commemorative Events

Wednesday May, 6, 2015
Lunchbox Lecture
Guenter Bischof presents “1945: End of the War in Austria”
H. Mortimer Favrot Orientation Center
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

The Republic of Austria was incorporated into the Third Reich on March 13, 1938, after the invasion by the German Wehrmacht. During World War II Austrians fought in the Wehrmacht, participated in the Holocaust, and suffered from Nazi oppression and Allied bombing. By and large, public opinion in the “Ostmark” supported the Nazi regime to the end of the war. The territory of what would be called Austria again was liberated by the Red Army from the east, American forces from the north, and French forces from the west. On the basis of the Allied Moscow Declaration, the Provisional Renner Government proclaimed the re-establishment of Austria on April 27. Four-power Allied occupation government was finally established in September 1945 and continued until 1955. The road from war to independence seemed interminable for the Austrians. Guenter Bischof presents.

For more information visit us here or call 504-528-1944 x 229.

Thursday, May 7, 2015
General Raymond E. Mason Jr. Distinguished Lecture Series on World War II
“Eisenhower The Liberator: A Panel Discussion” Featuring the Grandchildren of Dwight D. Eisenhower
US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center
5:00 pm Reception | 6:00 pm Presentation and Q&A

Join us for an enlightening evening as the grandchildren of General Dwight D. Eisenhower come to discuss their grandfather’s legacy and his experiences during the war.

Moderated by Dr. Keith Huxen, the Museum’s Samuel Zemurray Stone Senior Director of Research and History, the panel will discuss Eisenhower in his role as Supreme Commander and chief amongst the liberators—including his personal encounter with the Holocaust as he inspected the camps at Ohrdruf and Buchenwald. One of Eisenhower’s lasting legacies as leader of the Allied Forces was to force soldiers, civilians, and media to tour the sites themselves in order to have eyewitnesses, written records, and photographic evidence of Holocaust crimes.

To RSVP visit us here or call 504-528-1944 x 412.

Can’t make it to this event? Livestream it.

Commemorating the 70th Anniversary of V-E Day
Friday, May 8, 2015

On May 8, 1945, World War II ended in Europe. While the mood was exuberant in neighborhoods, work places, and with families throughout the country, it was a bittersweet day—war still raged on in the Pacific and many veterans recall that they were being re-assigned to prepare for the invasion of the Japanese mainland.

The Museum will commemorate this important anniversary of World War II with speakers who will recollect receiving the news, footage from newsreels from 1945, and historians reflecting on the meanings and legacies of Victory in Europe.

Programming

• New Orleans Military & Maritime Academy Performance
  US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center
  10:30 am – 11:00 am
• V-E Day Ceremony
  US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center
  11:00 am – 12:00 pm
  Ceremony commemorating the end of the war in Europe, featuring reflections of those who remember the events of the day. Panelists are Robert Wolf who served in Germany, Anne Levy who was hiding with her family in Europe, Gene Geisert who was on the Home Front. Led by Bill Detweiler, The National WWII Museum’s Consultant for Military and Veterans Affairs. Can’t make it to the ceremony? Livestream it.
• Living History Corps and artifacts from the war in Europe
  Battle Barksdale Parade Ground
  All Day

For more information visit us here or call 504-528-1944 x 229.