08/05/2025
Honouring the past and shaping the future
Today we mark the 80 anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day – a moment of great significance in British and world history. This day commemorates the formal acceptance of Nazi Germany’s unconditional surrender, bringing an end to the conflict in Europe during the Second World War after nearly six years.
As we reflect on this landmark anniversary, we honour the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of all those who contributed to the war effort – from the armed forces to scientists, engineers, and civilians; they all played a crucial role in securing victory 80 years ago. Indeed, VE Day reminds us not only of the cost of conflict, but also of the enduring value of collaboration, ingenuity, and determination, and these values remain central to our mission.
VE Day is both a time for remembrance and an opportunity to reflect on our own history. Many of the innovations developed during the war laid the groundwork for the technologies, capabilities, and strategic partnerships we have today; we maintain that legacy by helping to ensure that the UK and its allies are prepared for the challenges of the future.
As we honour the memory of those who served and sacrificed in the Second World War, and celebrate the contribution of our own military community – reservists, veterans and military families alike – we reaffirm our commitment to our nations’ security interests in all that we do. So please take a moment to pause, reflect, and feel pride in our shared heritage, and in the role we all play in keeping our legacy alive.