The UK is gearing up to pay tribute to the ‘Greatest Generation’ with an extra bank holiday, on the 80th anniversary of World War II’s conclusion. According to reports, next year will see a four-day celebration wrapped around this commemorative event.
May 8 is remembered as Victory in Europe Day when Germany offered an unconditional surrender in 1945, and August 15 is when Japan surrendered, marking the end of the war. While the exact summer weekend for the extended break has not been finalised, announcements are expected soon.
With around 70,000 World War II veterans still with us, the upcoming year presents a special chance for national recognition of their sacrifices. Veterans have warmly welcomed the prospect of an extended bank holiday to commemorate the occasion.
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Geoff Roberts, 99, a Market Garden veteran captured in the Arnhem operation in 1944, commented, “I think it’s very important in these current times we remember those that gave their lives for our freedom and peace in Europe. We should never forget them. Maybe an extra bank holiday will help to remind people about what’s happened in the past.”
Marie Scott, now aged 98, was just 17 at the time of the D-Day landings and served in a crucial covert role from within an underground bunker. Her role involved sending encrypted messages from leaders to the forces storming the beaches of Normandy, and she heard firsthand the haunting sounds of conflict over the radio from across the Channel, as detailed by the Express.
Reflecting on her experiences, Marie commented: “An additional bank holiday would be an opportunity to thank all those wonderful people who made such a spectacular victory possible because, without them, the future could have been very dire indeed.”
It is understood that talks are ongoing about potentially clearing space in schedules for May 9 and 12 to hold nationwide celebrations or alternatively introducing August 22 as an add-on to the summer bank holiday on August 25, paving the way for four days of festivity. Such a proposed extra break would allow UK communities to honour these significant anniversaries, similar to the way in which the Platinum Jubilee was celebrated in 2022.
Last year, the country marked the late Queen Elizabeth II’s 70-year reign during a glorious four-day extravaganza from June 2 to 5, alongside the bank holiday on September 19 for Her Majesty’s funeral. Moreover, another bank holiday graced the nation following King Charles’s coronation, with Monday, May 8 given over to public rest in the wake of the Westminster Abbey ceremony.
Looking ahead to 2025, Britons can anticipate a total of eight bank holidays, beginning with New Year’s Day; Easter holidays including Good Friday and Easter Monday; May Day and late May Bank Holiday; the late summer bank holiday on August 25; and the Christmas period with holidays on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
In 2020, the early May bank holiday was moved from Monday, May 4, to Friday, May 8, in recognition of the 75th anniversary of VE Day, prompting discussions around the suitability of the notice given and calls for an additional day’s holiday. After Queen Elizabeth’s death, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson was in favour of a new bank holiday to commemorate her reign, which would bring the total up to nine in England and Wales.
The idea received notable support from public figures such as Lord Richard Dannatt, 73, former Chief of the General Staff and Chairman of the Normandy Memorial Trust, who called it a “brilliant concept”, and Gyles Brandreth, 76, a Royal biographer, who felt that such a day is “needed more than ever to remind us what connects us, to create an excuse to engage our neighbours in something more than small talk and to express our thanks to a lifetime of service in her Majesty the Queen. It is, as they say, for Queen and Country”. An analysis by PwC forecasted economic gains for sectors like retail, hospitality, and tourism, still recovering from the pandemic downturn, could largely profit from the boost of trade an extra bank holiday might provide.
Despite this, the notion was dismissed by government officials, who maintained that “each bank holiday presents a significant cost to our economy”.
On June 5, the final day of the Platinum Jubilee long weekend, a remarkable 16,750,000 people – equivalent to one in four of the UK population – participated in celebrations, rendering it one of the largest community events in British history. The recent Budget announcement revealed that taxpayers would contribute £10 million to commemorate the VE Day and VJ Day anniversaries next year.
Dick Goodwin, Vice President of the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, stated: “We are looking forward to celebrating with the remaining Second World War heroes – they deserve Britain’s gratitude and respect for their courage and sacrifice. We are looking forward to the bank holiday and stand ready to help.”
Although officials declined to speculate about plans currently under consideration, one confirmed that the celebrations would be of “national significance” and a programme of events would be confirmed shortly. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport informed the Express: “The 80th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day will be moments of huge significance for our country, and the Government is committed to commemorating the occasions appropriately. That is why we have announced more than £10 million for events. We will announce the Government’s plans to mark the occasion shortly.”
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