❚ All products were chosen independently by our editorial team. This article contains affiliate links and we may receive a commission for purchases made. Please read our affiliates FAQ page to find out more.

VE Day: a people's history

John Willis tells the inside story of the day that Britain toasted victory over Nazi Germany

Published: May 7, 2025 at 7:30 AM

Save

Nazi Germany had finally been defeated. And, for 24 hours, Britons could let their hair down and celebrate. But not everyone was in the mood to party. As 2025 marks the 80th anniversary, John Willis tells the story of VE Day via the experiences of ordinary Britons who lived through it. Here, in conversation with Spencer Mizen, he discusses what these testimonies reveal about the state of mind of a nation after six long years of war.

Ad

John Willis is the author of The People’s War: Unheard Voices: Life on the Battlefront and at Home in World War II (BBC Books, 2025)

Ad

Authors

Spencer MizenSenior production editor

Spencer is senior production editor of HistoryExtra magazine

Ad

Ad

Loading...

Ad

Loading...