A week after the famous May 1st, arrives on May 8. But do you remember why this day is also a holiday in France? We tell you and we come back to the story of this historic date.
In May, the holidays There are many in France. There is of course the 1er Maywhose origin is known to all, but also the May 8. And there, you have to call on your childhood memories to remember exactly the reason why this day is above all historic in France, but also a holiday.
May 8 refers to May 8, 1945which marks the end of Second World War in Europe. That day, the allies won the war and the Nazi Germany capitulates. On May 8, 1945, at 3 p.m., the bells then started to ring across the country. “” War is won. Here is the victory … “Announces the General de Gaulle in a message on the radio.
Representatives of the German high command then signed a new capitulation act in Berlin on May 8, 1945 at 11:01 p.m. in the presence of representatives of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), the United States, the United Kingdom and France.
The May 8 day is then declared Public holiday on March 20, 1953. But on April 11, 1959, the famous General de Gaulle decided to suppress the holiday of this day in a context of Franco-German reconciliation. It was then necessary to wait until 1981 and the arrival of François Mitterrand to the Presidency of the Republic to see restore the Date of May 8 as a holidaywith a law dated September 23, 1981.
Just like for the November 11thcommemorations and tributes to the victims of this war are linked in France on May 8. The President of the Republic has the habit of going up Avenue des Champs-Élysées by car to the Arc de Triomphe, escorted by the Republican Guard. Surrounded by military leaders and representatives of veterans, resistant and deported to the Second World War, the head of state also deposited a wreath on the grave of the unknown soldier.
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