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SALT LAKE CITY — Early in the morning of May 7, 1945, German Gen. Alfred Jodl signed for unconditional surrender of German forces, effective at 11:01 p.m. on May 8.
In the 70 years since Germany's surrender, this day has been marked as Europe Victory day.
Though the war's devastation still continues to be felt by those all over the world, that day was a day of joy for many. Many of the photos in this gallery capture the joy of that day and ensuing days in Europe, as children were liberated from concentration camps, men begin making their way home and many people celebrated their liberation from occupation.
In the Victory Order of the Day, General Dwight D. Eisenhower addressed the Allied troops.
“The crusade on which we embarked in the early summer of 1944 has reached its glorious conclusion. It is my especial privilege, in the name of all Nations represented in this Theater of War, to command each of you for valiant performance of duty. Though these words are feeble they come from the bottom of a heart overflowing with pride in your loyal service and admiration for you as warriors.
He continued:
“Let us have no part in the profitless quarrels in which other men will inevitably engage as to what country, what service, won the European War. Every man, every woman, of every nation here represented, has served according to his or her ability, and the efforts of each have contributed to the outcome. This we shall remember – and in doing so we shall be revering such honored grave, and be sending comfort to the loved ones of comrades who could not live to see this day.
Photo credit: Pfc. Stedman/National Archives
