V-E (Victory in Europe) Day occurred on May 8, 1945, and is annually commemorated to celebrate the end of WWII in Europe. One day earlier, German forces unconditionally surrendered to the Allies, but the Allied nations would continue fighting the Japanese for three more months before they, too, finally surrendered.
May 8 is also Harry Truman’s birthday. As news of the Allied victory in Europe spread, President Truman addressed the nation, acknowledging the loss of so many lives and the continuing need to fight against Japan. He also announced his proclamation (WallBuilders’ collection includes an original signed printing of this proclamation) calling for a day of prayer and thanksgiving to God for the recent victory:
The Allied armies, through sacrifice and devotion and with God’s help, have wrung from Germany a final and unconditional surrender. The western world has been freed of the evil forces which for five years and longer have imprisoned the bodies and broken the lives of millions upon millions of free-born men….For the triumph of spirit and of arms which we have won, and for its promise to peoples everywhere who join us in the love of freedom, it is fitting that we, as a nation, give thanks to Almighty God, who has strengthened us and given us the victory….I call upon the people of the United States, whatever their faith, to unite in offering joyful thanks to God for the victory we have won and to pray that He will support us to the end of our present struggle and guide us into the way of peace. I also call upon my countrymen to dedicate this day of prayer to the memory of those who have given their lives to make possible our victory.
Today, as we remember this important military victory, let’s take time to (1) pray for all the brave men and women currently serving in our military and their families, and (2) pray for the end of tyranny and oppression in those countries where it still exists across the world.
