Britons are set to enjoy an extra bank holiday in 2025 to commemorate two significant anniversaries from World War Two, offering a rare chance to honour the “Greatest Generation.”
The UK will join in a four-day celebration marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day on May 5, 2025. This historic date recalls the moment in 1945 when Nazi Germany’s unconditional surrender was accepted, bringing an end to World War Two in Europe. Later in the year, on August 15, the nation will also remember Victory over Japan (VJ) Day, which marked the conclusion of global hostilities.
An additional day off will give Britons the chance to commemorate one of these milestones with an extended weekend.
The government is reportedly preparing an announcement about which weekend will be selected for the bonus bank holiday. According to the Daily Express, this celebration will likely be a final opportunity to honour the few remaining veterans of the war.
Of the millions who served between 1939 and 1945, only around 70,000 veterans are alive today, making the upcoming anniversary particularly poignant. Plans for the milestone include a four-day event to pay tribute to those who fought, the Express reports.
Veterans have voiced their support for the proposed celebrations. Geoff Roberts, 99, who fought in the Market Garden operation and was taken as a prisoner of war in Arnhem, emphasised the importance of remembrance. “I think it’s very important in these current times we remember those that gave their lives for our freedom and peace in Europe. We should never forget them,” he said, adding, “Maybe an extra bank holiday will help to remind people about what’s happened in the past.”
Marie Scott, 98, who was just 17 during D-Day, echoed his sentiments. She worked in a top-secret bunker relaying coded messages between military commanders and troops during the Normandy landings and recalled the harrowing sounds from the beach. “An additional bank holiday would be an opportunity to thank all those wonderful people who made such a spectacular victory possible because, without them, the future could have been very dire indeed,” she said.
The extra day off will give the nation a chance to come together, reflect on the sacrifices of the past, and celebrate the courage and determination that shaped history.
