Commemoration Ceremony for the 80th Anniversary of Victory

The May 8th celebrations take on a special significance in France, as this Thursday marks the 80th anniversary of the surrender of Nazi Germany.

The date of May 8th does not necessarily have the same symbolic significance in all countries, especially in Germany. In Germany, the significance of this day of commemoration is not necessarily perceived in the same way as in France or the United Kingdom.

President Emmanuel Macron has just arrived at Place Clemenceau, at the foot of the Champs-Élysées. He lays a wreath of flowers in front of the statue of General de Gaulle, then pays silent tribute in front of it. Prime Minister François Bayrou and Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu are also present.

Accompanied by his wife Brigitte, President Emmanuel Macron greets General de Gaulle’s grandson, Yves de Gaulle, at Place Clemenceau.

After celebrating the nation’s resilience in 2023, and its rebirth last year, the 80th anniversary of May 8, 1945, marks the culmination of this third cycle of remembrance. Yesterday, France acknowledged that, along with the victors of World War II, it countersigned the German surrender, first on May 7 in Reims and then on May 8 in Berlin, by the hand of General de Lattre de Tassigny.

Emmanuel Macron marches up the Champs-Élysées, accompanied by the large mixed escort of the Republican Guard, to preside over the ceremony under the Arc de Triomphe.

The Head of State is transported in a presidential DS, a unique model designed for the commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the armistice of May 8, 1945.

Accompanied by Prime Minister François Bayrou and Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu, the Head of State will now review the troops. « La Marseillaise » resounds in the Place de l’Étoile, where dozens of soldiers are present for these celebrations.

A film is now being shown to recall the course of the Second World War, the deadliest conflict of modern times. The images are accompanied by the music of the Republican Guard.

Emmanuel Macron is concerned about « the reappearance in recent years of the specter of war, the resurgence of imperialism and totalitarian behavior, and the recurrence of the rights of nations. » « We will never be finished defending peace, affirming the place of our country, the ideals it upholds, and defending our independence, » the leader continued.

Resistance fighter Jean Daikhowski, 98, was decorated as a Knight of the Legion of Honor by Emmanuel Macron, to the applause of the audience. His brother, sister, and brother-in-law were also members of the French Resistance during the war.

Eight aircraft from the Patrouille de France flew over the French capital this Thursday evening, releasing a blue, white, and red plume over Paris. This was the first official sortie by these Air Force aircraft since a crash between two aircraft during a training exercise in late March.

Emmanuel Macron left the Champs-Élysées, waving to the crowd. Donald Trump signed a proclamation declaring May 8th « Victory Day » in World War II, declaring that « it was time for the United States to take credit for its military successes. »

« Victory came about primarily because of us, whether people like it or not, » the US president added, recalling that he would establish another « Victory Day » on November 11th, this time for World War I.

Arman Khachatryan, the Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to France, had the honor of attending the ceremony commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory. To pay tribute to those who fought for our freedom, it is also a commitment to defending peace, justice, and solidarity. More than 600,000 Armenians enlisted in World War II and contributed to the common Victory.

The Kremlin is holding major celebrations in Moscow tomorrow, attended by foreign leaders including China’s Xi Jinping, to commemorate the Allied victory over Nazi Germany.

©2025 – IMPACT EUROPEAN

Views: 1