Marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, Deborah Prentice, visited the Churchill Archives Centre to view some of the unique historical documents from this time, including the original speech delivered by Winston Churchill announcing the end of the war in Europe, on May 8, 1945. (Pictured: Deborah Prentice, on the right, pictured with the Master of Churchill College, Prof. Sharon Peacock, in the Reading Room of the Churchill Archives Centre.)
The speech contains handwritten notes and comments alongside the typewritten text. The situation was developing, and Sir Winston Churchill had only just received the news of the liberation of the Channel Islands prior to delivering the speech. This was included in a line added at the very last moment, by hand, at the bottom of page one.
VE Day marks the formal acceptance of Nazi Germany’s unconditional surrender to the Allied forces on May 8, 1945, after nearly six years of devastating conflict that claimed in the region of 40 million lives across Europe. For the millions who had endured occupation, persecution, rationing, bombing campaigns, and the loss of loved ones, this day symbolized liberation, renewal, and the possibility of peace.
The speech is set out on the page in the particular blank verse format Churchill demanded, to help his delivery and gives it the rhythm, pauses, and emphasis that he wanted to convey.
This carefully crafted address captured both the monumental significance of the moment and the complex emotions it evoked. Even as fighting continued in the Pacific, VE Day allowed people across Europe and Allied nations to glimpse a future beyond the shadow of war, making it a touchstone moment that continues to resonate through generations. While the announcement at the time was greeted with jubilation, today we reflect on the enormous sacrifices made to defeat Nazi Germany and its allies.
The tone of the speech balances a celebratory mood with notes of caution. While VE Day marked the end of hostilities in Europe, it simultaneously heralded the beginning of an enormous reconstruction challenge. Europe lay in ruins – cities reduced to rubble, infrastructure destroyed, economies shattered, and millions displaced. Beyond physical rebuilding, nations grappled with profound humanitarian crises, including refugee resettlement, food shortages, and the psychological trauma experienced by survivors. The immediate post-war years were marked by continued hardship for many. As Winston Churchill noted in his speech, “We may allow ourselves a brief period of rejoicing; but let us not forget for a moment the toil and efforts that lie ahead.”[i]
Allen Packwood, Director of the Archives Centre, said, “Commemorating the anniversary of VE Day serves as a vital bridge between past and present. As the number of living veterans and witnesses dwindles with each passing year, these commemorations become increasingly important historical touchpoints. Beyond remembrance, these ceremonies offer opportunities for national reflection on the aspirational values that emerged from the conflict – international cooperation, human rights, and resistance to authoritarianism – and how these principles have been both embraced and challenged throughout subsequent decades.”
He continued, “Perhaps most importantly, they honour the immense sacrifices made by millions while reminding us that the freedom and stability enjoyed in much of Europe today was hard-won through collective struggle and determination.”
The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Deborah Prentice, is a Trustee for the Churchill Papers collection, which contains this speech and is housed at the Churchill Archives Centre. She said, “We are incredibly fortunate to have this amazing resource at the Churchill Archives Centre, making these incredible documents available to researchers and the public around Cambridge and around the world.”
These historical treasures, including Churchill’s VE Day speech, provide not just a window into our past but vital context for understanding our present. As the 80th anniversary reminds us of both triumph and tragedy, the preservation of such primary sources ensures that future generations can continue to learn from this pivotal moment in world history.
The Churchill Archives Centre is open 09.00-17.00 weekdays. Visits must be booked in advance, but any researcher or member of the general public can do so online.
[i] Reproduced with the permission of Curtis Brown, London on behalf of Portland Churchill Ltd © Winston S. Churchill / Portland Churchill Ltd