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Canada celebrates victory in Europe
Broadcast Date: May 7, 1945
Victory flags are flying high, church bells are ringing, and people are celebrating in the streets. It's May 7, 1945, and the Allies have secured victory in Europe — 2,076 days after the start of the Second World War. Following a long series of hard-fought battles against Nazi aggression, the Allies get the news that German troops have finally conceded unconditional surrender. But for many this victory is somewhat bittersweet.While the official announcement won't come until tomorrow, Canadians across the country are celebrating this as a time of remembrance and victory while keeping their resolve focused on the war still being fought in the Pacific. CBC Radio marks VE Day with reports from celebrations across the country.
Canada celebrates victory in Europe
• Support for the war effort was met with enthusiasm and, by September 1939, over 58,000 Canadian men and women volunteered to serve in the Canadian Forces.• A total of 1,086,343 Canadian men and women performed full-time duty during the course of the war, and 42,042 Canadians died in service.
• Canada sent forth the third largest navy in the allied forces and its airforce was the fourth largest.
Also on May 8:
1906: The University of Alberta is founded in Edmonton.
1906: American desperado Bill Miner holds up a CPR train in Kamloops, B.C. Canada's first train robbery nets Miner only $15 and he is captured a few days later.
1982: Canadian Formula One driver Gilles Villeneuve dies in a crash during qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix. He was 32.
1987: The federal government unveils the one-dollar coin to replace the paper dollar. The coin is nicknamed the “loonie” because of the picture of the loon on its reverse.
Canada celebrates victory in Europe
Medium: Radio
Program: John Fisher Reports
Broadcast Date: May 7, 1945
Host: John Fisher
Reporter: Roger Beaulieu, Harry Boyle, Jean Hinds, Mac Smith, Dick Halhed
Duration: 25:28
Photo: National Archives of Canada PA-114617
Last updated:
Jan. 14, 2009
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Dec. 30, 1941
Winston Churchill delivers an electrifying address to the Canadian Parliament during the Second World War.
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May 21, 1948
Celebrated Canadian flying ace Buzz Beurling has died in a plane crash en route to Israel.
Great Day - extraordinary Victory over fascism. It is though not faire not to mention the main contributor to the victory, the contry who lost 19 milion people to defit Hitler. It almost looks like Canada won this war alone, hm... maybe little bit with British...
Submitted by: zyg_b