On May 8th, the French celebrate the Allies’ Victory, marking the end of World War II in Europe. May 8, 1945, corresponds to the date of Nazi Germany’s capitulation.
On May 7, 1945, at 2:41 AM, the act of German capitulation was signed in Reims. The fighting was to cease on May 8th at 11:01 PM. The news was officially announced on May 8th at 3:00 PM.
The following day, May 9, at 12:16 AM, the general capitulation was signed in Berlin.
Thus, May 8th remains a symbolic date.
In Nice, a wreath was laid in front of the May 8th Plaque on May 8th Square, Quai des États-Unis, before a procession to the War Memorial where a military ceremony was held in the presence of civil and military authorities.
Official messages were read by Jean Biancotto, President of the French Union of Former Combatants, Joseph Lavalle, administrator of the Federal Union of Former Combatants and War Victims, and interim prefect Mrs. Françoise Taheri.
The ceremony concluded with a wreath-laying.
