Germany formally surrendered to end the war in Europe in 1945 on what date?

Germany formally surrendered to end the war in Europe in 1945 on what date?

• A. May 9, 1945
• B. May 8, 1945
• C. June 6, 1944
• D. August 15, 1945

Answer: (B)

Germany’s surrender to end the war in Europe was on May 8, 1945, commemorated as V-E Day. The actual surrender documents were signed on May 7 in Reims, France, but the terms took effect that evening, so Western Allies mark the date as May 8. Because of time-zone differences, the Soviet Union observed May 9 as Victory Day. The other dates are related to different events: June 6, 1944 was D-Day, the invasion of Normandy; August 15, 1945 is when Japan announced its surrender, ending the war in the Pacific.

Germany’s surrender to end the war in Europe was on May 8, 1945, commemorated as V-E Day. The actual surrender documents were signed on May 7 in Reims, France, but the terms took effect that evening, so Western Allies mark the date as May 8. Because of time-zone differences, the Soviet Union observed May 9 as Victory Day. The other dates are related to different events: June 6, 1944 was D-Day, the invasion of Normandy; August 15, 1945 is when Japan announced its surrender, ending the war in the Pacific.