VE day in Norway and Europe

#92 Week 19

Author

Sigrun Sørumgård
May 08, 2025

On Tuesday, May 8, 1945, Norwegians could finally celebrate the end of World War II after five years of German occupation. Today marks exactly 80 years since the liberation, so what do we know about the liberation, both in Norway and around Europe?

  1. How long was Norway occupied by Nazi Germany?

  2. What is the day May 8 called in many European countries, e.g. England?

  3. Who was the king of Norway when the country was liberated in 1945?

  4. Who was the leader of the so-called London government until May 31, 1945?

  5. What date is called D-Day, which led to the liberation of Western Europe?

  6. What international organization was established after the war to ensure peace?

  7. What was allowed in public for the first time in five years on May 8, 1945 in Norway and other occupied countries?

  8. What was Liberation Day later combined with in Norway and other European countries to honor efforts also after 1945?

  9. What is Liberation Day in the Netherlands, and what date is it celebrated?

  10. What is May 9 called in Russia and several former Soviet states?

The Wonder Wall

  • "Our struggle has been crowned with victory. Norway is free again." These were the opening words of the proclamation that the Home Front leadership shared with the Norwegian people on May 8, 1945. After five years of German occupation, Norway was liberated. Germany had already surrendered unconditionally on all fronts on the night of May 7, and on May 8, the war was over in all of Europe.

  • On 30th April, 1945, Hitler committed suicide in his bunker “Führerbunker” as Soviet troops closed in on Berlin. Even after Hitler’s death, Germany continued to fight on, with very limited weapons or military personnel to hand. In Berlin, it was mainly the Hitler Youth and Waffen-SS who continued to fight to the end, even though it was inevitable Germany’s defeat was just around the corner. After Hitler’s death, Nazi Germany was very briefly led by Grand Admiral Karl Donitz. On 7th May, 1945, the German armed forces finally surrendered unconditionally to the Allies.

  • The 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day holds significant importance, as it is likely the last major milestone where a number of WW2 veterans are still alive to share their remarkable stories.

Yesterdays questions and answers

  1. What is the name of the soft drink brand that was launched when Germany was no longer receiving Coca-Cola syrup from the United States after the outbreak of World War II?

    Fanta

  2. What is the American pharmacist John Pemberton (1831-1888) best known for?

    Inventor of the not-so-unknown drink Coca Cola

  3. Which country does 'Jolly Cola' come from?

    Denmark

  4. What is the carbon dioxide in soft drinks called in chemical terms?

    Carbonic acid, which has the chemical formula H2CO3.

  5. What are the two "main flavors" of Mozell?

    Apple and grape

  6. What is the name of the soft drink named after a mountain range and marketed as high in energy in the United States?

    Mountain Dew

  7. Which country has the highest per capita soft drink consumption in the world (as of 2023)?

    Mexico

  8. What is the name of the American company that makes the popular 'Snapple' drinks?

    Dr. Pepper

  9. What is the name of the energy drink from Austria that became popular worldwide in the 1990s? It even has its own Formula 1 team.

    Red Bull

  10. Which soft drink was famous for its slogan "Obey Your Thirst"?

    Sprite