The news so many had been longing to hear was finally announced on May 7, 1945 – after six years the war was over. Victory in Europe was declared, the German Army had surrendered. The official announcement came at 3pm, when prime minister Winston Churchill broadcast to the nation.

In his speech, Churchill, aware that the war was still being fought in the Far East, and Europe and much of Britain was in ruins, added a note of caution: “We may allow ourselves a brief period of rejoicing; but let us not forget for a moment the toil and efforts that lie ahead.”

The government declared May 8 and 9 as public holidays – but only after Churchill had been assured that there was enough beer in London to meet the anticipated demand.

The British public, willing this day to come and, having at one point, stood alone to face the Nazi threat during the dark days of the Blitz and Dunkirk, didn’t need a second invitation to celebrate.

Across the country parades were organised, as were church services, and right across the nation every street in every town put on a street party, with flags and bunting decorating every house.

To this day, in many households throughout Britain, there’s a shoebox or biscuit tin containing grainy black and white photographs of those amazing, joyous scenes.

People flocked into the centre of London to severally test the assumption that there was enough beer – there wasn’t, as many a pub was drunk dry!

On May 8, from a Ministry of Health window, Churchill addressed the thousands of people gathered below, giving an impromptu speech.

“My dear friends,” said Churchill, “this is your hour. This is not victory of a party or of any class. It’s a victory of the great British nation. We were the first to draw the sword against tyranny. There we stood, alone. Did anyone want to give in?”

At this point the crowd bellowed back... NO.

“Were we down-hearted?

Again, and almighty roar... NO!

Churchill continued: “The lights went out and the bombs came down. But every man, woman and child in the country had no thought of quitting the struggle. London can take it. I say that in the long years to come not only will the people of this island but of the world, wherever the bird of freedom chirps in human hearts, look back to what we’ve done and they will say do not despair, do not yield to violence and tyranny, march straightforward and die if need be - unconquered.”

Crowds also gathered outside of Buckingham Palace where the King and Queen made a total of eight appearances.

Looking up at the King and Queen and cheering were the princesses Elizabeth and Margaret, who had been give permission to join the celebrations. Princess Elizabeth later recalled: “We stood outside and shouted, ‘we want the King’... I think it was one of the most memorable nights of my life.”

Across the nation, but especially in London, the partying, singing and, with social barriers breaking down, not little cavorting and canoodling too, carried on with dance halls staying open until midnight. Gramophones and barrel organs were set up in the streets.

After six years of blackouts, when the only things that lit up the night sky were search lights, bombs and burning buildings, now fireworks flared and bonfires burnt.

London’s St Paul’s Cathedral held 10 consecutive services giving thanks for peace, each one attended by thousands of people.

While across the globe millions of people rejoiced the war in the Far East was still raging and would do so for another three months.

And it was also a time for quiet reflection, too, as families mourned those who died in the conflict, often in far away places with no grave.

In his radio broadcast to the Empire, King George VI said: “Let us remember those who will not come back... let us remember the men in all the services, and the women in all the services, who have laid down their lives. We have come to the end of our tribulation and they are not with us at the moment of our rejoicing.”