Bunting Template
Use this simple bunting template with our scrapbook paper, your own paper or fabric to make a very simple bunting.
VE Day
In 1945, 8th May was designated VE Day, or Victory in Europe Day - the day that the Second World War ended in Europe. We can mark this very special anniversary, remember the brave people who gave everything to end the war, and celebrate the peace that we enjoy now.
"You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word: victory."
Winston Churchill
"The flags of freedom fly all over Europe."
Harry Truman
What is VE Day?
On 7th May 1945, after six long years of war, Germany surrendered to the Allies and the war in Europe was over. King George VI announced victory in Europe at 9pm over the radio and declared that the following day would be a national holiday. Many people didn’t wait until the following day to begin celebrating! Street parties erupted all over London, church bells rang out all over the country, bonfires were lit and colourful bunting was strung up all over the streets as soon as the radio announcement was made!
The German surrender was not a surprise. People across Britain had been on standby waiting for the celebrations for some time. Winston Churchill himself had waited for assurances from the Ministry of Food that beer was in good supply before announcing the national holiday. Luckily for everyone, it was! Commemorative items were produced in time for the celebrations, including VE Day mugs.
On 8th May, huge crowds gathered in London as King George VI, Queen Elizabeth (our current Queen's mother) and Winston Churchill stood on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to wave and celebrate. The Royal Family came out to the balcony eight times during the day!
The Royal Family and Winston Churchill wave to the crowds from the balcony at Buckingham Palace
Princess Elizabeth (the current Queen Elizabeth II) and her sister, Princess Margaret, were allowed to wonder through the crowds incognito to enjoy the celebrations! Princess Elizabeth later remembered standing in the crowd shouting “We want the King!” with the excited crowd, describing it as “the most exciting night of [her] life." She said, “I remember lines of unknown people linking arms and walking down Whitehall, and all of us were swept along by tides of happiness and relief."
An estimated 50,000 people partied in Piccadilly Circus until late in the night! All across the county, pubs and dance halls extended their open hours later than normal.
St Paul’s Cathedral in London held 10 services in a row to celebrate the peace. Each was attended by thousands of people.
In the US, the celebrations coincided with President Truman’s 61st birthday. President Truman went on to say it was his favourite birthday ever!
Although the war against Germany had ended, the war against Japan went on until August that year. World War II wasn't finally over until 15th August 1945.
Our VE Day Resources
Bunting Template 2
This useful bunting template includes a useful flap to fold over the string or ribbon that you will be attaching the flags to. Print this template onto card and draw round it to cut out bunting flags.
Bunting Template 3
This bunting template produces flags (with fold-over flaps) that are the perfect size for decorating a classroom or playroom - not too big! Use as a card template to draw around, or print directly onto the back of coloured or patterned paper.
Bunting Template 4
Use this template to string up a length of mini-bunting in no time! Print onto the back of coloured or patterned paper or card, cut out and fold the flaps over the string before gluing down. Alternatively, print onto card and cut out as templates for chidlren to use to draw around.
Bunting Template 5
This useful bunting template makes large flags which are easy to cut out and, with the top flap, simple to attach to string or ribbon. Fold the flap over and simply glue down or staple.
Cupcake Flags - UK
Print out a page of 12 cupcake flags. Grab some toothpicks and glue and you are ready to decorate your cupcakes! There are two pages in this pdf file - the first with the name of the flag, the second blank.
Design a Medal for VE Day
Many veterans wear medal with pride on VE Day, but not all who serve or sacrificed are awarded medals. This worksheet asks children to design a medal and think about what could it be awarded for.
Plan a VE Day Party - 1945
This is an interesting historical worksheet. Can the kids put themselves into the shoes of someone planning that VE Day celebration in 1945? They will need to think about what food was available, who would have been invited and the sorts of activities that the party-goers would have enjoyed.
Soldier Template
This soldier template comes in 5 different sizes - from the smallest pictured below, to an XL soldier that spreads over 4 pages. We've kept the outline as simple as possible while still providing the traditional "Tommy soldier" silhouette.
To Those Who Gave So Much Poster
On 8th May, it is traditional to raise a toast "to those who gave so much" during the second world war. This poster uses traditional remembrance poppies and the silhouette of a soldier to commemorate VE Day.
Union Flag Bunting
Print out stack of Union flag bunting and string them around the house, classroom, garden or wherever! Perfect for any patriotic or royal occasion!
Union Flag Bunting 2
This is a quick way to string up a line of Union Jack bunting! With 7 little flags per page you won't need to print too many pages to get a nice long line, and you could lay multiple page on top of each other while cutting out.
Union Flag Tracing
Younger children can trace over the lines of the Union Flag (better known as the Union Jack) before colouring it in.
United Kingdom Flag Colouring Page
Here's a high quality colouring page of the UK's national flag, the Union Flag (more commonly known as the Union Jack). Colour it in traditional (and correct) red white and blue, or go mad with other colours!
United Kingdom Flag Ribbon
This United Kingdom flag ribbon is perfect for patriotic crafts or for celebrating a Royal event!
VE Day Newspaper Template
Here's a fun writing project! Write your own version of a newspaper from 8th May 1945 - VE Day! We've created various versions to choose from: with an iconic photo from the London celebrations or with space to draw your own picture, blank or with lines.
Victory in Europe Newspaper Template
Use this newspaper template to write about victory in Europe at the end of the Second World War - or VE Day. We've included various versions, both lined and unlined, with photo and with space for a drawing.
We'll Meet Again Lyrics Printable
Sing along to this haunting WW2 song, popularised by the nation's wartime sweetheart, Vera Lynn. You'll find a video of Vera Lynn singing to a huge audience of soldiers on our VE Day page.
Winston Churchill VE Day Speech 1
Wnston Churchill spoke to the celebrating crowds below from the Ministry of Health balcony on 8th May 1945. Here are the words of his first address.
Winston Churchill VE Day Speech 2
Read the text of Winston Churchill's most famous victory speech, read out from the balcony of the Ministry of Health on 8th May 1945, VE Day. He made another shorter address earlier in the day.
Winston Churchill Victory Poster
Winston Churchill became famous for his V for Victory sign. Here is just one of the photo showing him making it! Perhaps his positivity encouraged the country to keep going during hard times and keep striving for victory.
WW2 Evacuee Children Colouring Page
Our WW2 children are packed up and ready to be evacuated to the country on our evacuee colouring page. They even have labels that you could add names to.
More Useful Resources
We have flags of all sizes as well as colouring flags and more - for most of the countries of the world and of course for all of the major Allies.
Flags
