Home Learning: Summer (lockdown)
'My Dear Friends, This Is Your Hour'
Winston Churchill
On Friday 8th May 2020, we commemorate 75 years since VE Day (Victory in Europe Day), the end of the Second World War in Europe. On this day in 1945, Prime Minister Winston Churchill made an announcement on the radio at 3pm that the war in Europe had come to an end, following Germany's surrender the day before.
The end of the war in Europe was an emotional day that millions of people had been waiting for. Many people were extremely happy that the fighting had stopped and there were big celebrations and street parties. Huge crowds - with lots of people dressed in red, white and blue - gathered outside Buckingham Palace in London. They cheered as King George VI and his family, including Princess Elizabeth (the current Queen) and Princess Margaret, came out onto the balcony to greet everybody.
Princess Elizabeth and her sister were allowed to leave the palace and celebrate with crowds outside, although they had to do it secretly. The future Queen (at that time, but the Queen in our time) described it as "one of the most memorable nights of my life". Many people also attended church services to thank God for the victory. London's St Paul's Cathedral held 10 services, which were attended by thousands of people. But VE Day was also a moment of great sadness and reflection, as millions of people had lost their lives or loved ones in the conflict.
On Friday 8th May 2020, there are many things we can do to make this day one to remember, whilst still staying safe and well. If we were all at school but in a different ‘time’, we would have met during an assembly for a one minute's silence, at 11am to think about all those who died for us. We would then have sung ‘We’ll Meet Again’, a wartime favourite- the lyrics for this song are so incredibly poignant for us all right now and in the afternoon, we would have then had a massive party. We will do in spirit.
We'll Meet Again
We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when. But I know we'll meet again some sunny day.
Keep smiling through, just like you always do- 'till the blue skies drive the dark clouds far away.
So will you please say hello to the folks that I know, tell them I won't be long.
They'll be happy to know that as you saw me go, I was singing this song.
We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when, but I know we'll meet again some sunny day.
We'll meet again, don't know where don't know when, but I know we'll meet again some sunny day.
Keep smiling through, just like you always do- ‘til the blue skies drive the dark clouds far away.
So will you please say hello to the folks that I know, tell them it won't be long.
They'll be happy to know that as you saw me go, I was singing this song.
We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when, but I know we'll meet again some sunny day.
Please click on this link to access "We'll Meet Again", sung by Dame Vera Lynn.
Please do send any recordings of your family singing this song, if you can. It is such a wonderfully uplifting song! Below you will find some links to some resources you can find online for you to get involved at home.
VE Day 75
VE Day ideas for Home Schooling
We'll Meet Again (song and lyrics)