Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Images
Topics: World War 2, Army, UK News
Britt Jones
The UK could be in for another Bank Holiday next year, which would be part of a four-day weekend.
Oh, how rare those moments are.
Is there any greater joy than to be off work on a Friday, enjoy the weekend as usual and then have nothing better to do than to sit and nurse your hangover on a Monday?
It’s something we could only dream of.
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But a dream it is not.
It might be happening next year and it’s all to mark a very special occasion.
Considering next year will mark 80 years since the end of the Second World War, it’s a big moment for those who fought and also gave their lives to their cause.
To commemorate this time, an extra Bank Holiday could be given, to commemorate 8 May, which is Victory in Europe Day (VE Day).
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On this date in 1945, Germany surrendered to the joint effort to push the army back and take down Adolf Hitler’s regime.
Hitler, the Nazi party leader, had committed suicide on 30 April while the Battle of Berlin was blazing.
That’s when Germany's surrender was authorised by Reichspräsident Karl Dönitz, which led to the military surrender to be signed at 2.41am on 7 May in SHAEF HQ at Reims.
By midnight on 8 May, the war in Europe was over.
We’re also due to commemorate 14 August, which was the day Japan admitted defeat.
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As for when this rumoured extra Bank Holiday could fall, there are a few options.
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We could get it on 9 or 12 May to coincide with VE Day. Or, if it were to be around the 80th anniversary of Japan's defeat, it could land on 22 August to link up with the existing 25 August bank holiday and give us a four day weekend.
A spokesperson for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said previously as per the Mirror: "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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According to a poll conducted by the Mirror, 73 percent of people agree to have a special day to remember veterans, while 13 percent admitted that they disagree with the concept.
Then, when asked, 'do you believe that younger generations know enough, too little or too much about the sacrifices made by their predecessors during WWII?', 20 percent shared that the younger group knows the right amount.
But 66 percent of respondents revealed that they believe that younger generations were not as up to date on these things as they should be.
Victory over Japan Day was when the end of the Second World War was officially recognised, which ignited celebrations across the globe.
Dick Goodwin, Vice President of the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, said: "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."