The United Nations(UN) annually marks the 8th and 9th of May as the “Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives during the Second World War” to pay tribute to the victims of the Second World War(WWII).
Significance of 8th May:
i.On May 8, 1945, World War II Allies – the United Kingdom(UK), the United States of America(USA), and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), accepted the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany.
ii.The overall surrender of Nazi Germany to the Allies was signed by Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel in Karlshorst, Berlin, Germany.
iii.The anniversary is also known as Victory in Europe or VE Day.
Background:
i.The United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/59/26 on 22nd November 2004 and declared the 8-9 May of every year as the Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives during the Second World War.
ii.The UNGA invited all the members to observe annually on either one or both days to pay tribute to all the victims of the 2nd World War.
- The year 2005 marked the 60th anniversary of the end of the 2nd World War.
iii.The UNGA adopted the resolution A/RES/64/257 on 2nd March 2010 invited all the member states, organisations of UN systems, non-governmental organizations and individuals to observe May 8-9 to pay tribute to all victims of the Second World War.
- 2010 marks the 65th anniversary of the end of World War II.
World War II:
i.The Second World War was fought between the Axis powers and the Allies. Germany, Italy, and Japan were part of the Axis and The UK, USSR and the USA are the allies.
ii.It was fought in Europe, in Russia, North Africa, and in Asia.
iii.In August 1945, the USA dropped the atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, hastening the end of the Second World War.
