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In France, the commemoration of the armistice of the Second World War takes place on May 8. In Reims, in the Marne, it is celebrated a day in advance, on May 7.
The Second World War in Europe officially ended on May 8, 1945. In Reims (Marne), the epilogue of the conflict is tied in a high school in the city. In the “war room” of the building, the German generals capitulate. This former classroom, now preserved, was the place from which the Allies monitored operations. “We follow, almost minute by minute, the advance of American troops and Allied troops”explains Bénédicte Hernu, director of the historical museums of Reims (Marne).
On May 6, 1945, American, English and Soviet generals met in the hall. On the morning of May 7, they made the Germans sign an act of unconditional surrender implying the cessation of fighting. On May 8, Stalin will organize another ceremony in Berlin (Germany) just conquered by the Red Army. “It was known, like that, all of a sudden (…) we knew it was signed”remembers Violette Kirbihler who was 13 at the time.
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