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Britain's King George VI talks with Prime Minister Winston Churchill and members of the cabinet and chiefs of staff in the grounds of Buckingham Palace, in London on May 8, 1945, during VE Day celebrations. in the foreground are, Sir Archibald Sinclair, Lord Woolton, Winston Churchill, King George VI, Herbret Morrison, Ernest Bevin, Sir John Anderson. (AP Photo) Associated Press
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A seething mass of humanity jammed itself into Whitehall on VE-Day, to see the premier, his cabinet ministers and chiefs of staff who are to appear on the balcony of the Ministry of Health. A section of the huge crowd gathered in Parliament Square into Whitehall in London on May 8, 1945, as they listened to the premier’s broadcast officially announcing Germany’s unconditional surrender. (AP Photo) Associated Press
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A seething mass of humanity jammed itself into Whitehall VE-Day, to see the Premier, his cabinet ministers and chief of staff who are to appear on the balcony of the Ministry of Health. A view of the enormous crowd packed into Whitehall as one looks down the street toward the Cenotaph, London, on May 8, 1945. (AP Photo) Associated Press
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President Harry S. Truman (right center), gestures as he tells newsmen details of surrender of Germany during press conference at the White House in Washington, May 8, 1945 attended by 123 reporters. At top, facing, are (left to right): Gen. G.C. Marshall, Col. Harry Vaughan, J.L. Reinsch, Rep. Joseph Martin, first lady Bess Truman, Rep. John W. McCormack, Mary Margaret Truman, Admiral William D. Leahy, Capt. James K. Vardaman, Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson, Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn, Matthew Connally, Secretary of the Treasury Henry Morgenthau, Secretary of the Navy James V. Forrestal, Senate President Protem Kenneth McKellar, Edward McKin, Stephen Larly, Jonathan Daniels, Attorney General Francis Biddle and Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins. (AP Photo) Anonymous, Associated Press
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Mounted policemen strive to clear a path for Premier Winston Churchill’s car on its way through a surging crowd of VE Day celebrants in Parliament Square, London on May 8, 1945, after announcement of German surrender. The premier stands in his car to acknowledge cheers of crowd. (AP Photo) Associated Press
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After making his public broadcast officially announcing Germany’s total surrender, the Prime Minister went to the House of Commons, to make a short address and them moved that the House attend at the church of St. Margaret’s Westminster, to give humble and reverent thanks to almighty God for our deliverance from the threat of German domination. The House then rose and followed the Speaker to the church. Prime Minister Winston Churchill, centre, in the procession of members of the House leaving the Palace of Westminster for St. Margaret’s Church in London, on May 8, 1945. (AP Photo) Associated Press
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The floodlit Mansion House, in London, on May 8, 1945, during the VE Day celebrations. (AP Photo) Associated Press, AP
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Pfc. Clarence K. Ayers of Evansville, Ind., reads the news of V-E Day as newly arrived German prisoners stand of a New York City pier, May 8, 1945. (AP Photo/John Rooney) John Rooney, AP
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The torch of the Statue of Liberty blazes in the night as the lights are turned on once again at the island in New York Harbor, May 8, 1945, V-E Day, on which the official announcement of the unconditional surrender of Germany was proclaimed. Two service men stand guard at the base of the statue. (AP Photo/Tom Fitzsimmons) Tom Fitzsimmons, AP
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President Harry S. Truman smiles happily as he announces to the press the complete victory of the Allies over Germany, during a ceremony at the White House in Washington, D.C., May 8, 1945. Seated near the wall behind Truman are, left to right: Elmer Davis, Secretary Henry A. Wallace, Maj. Gen. Philip Fleming, Rep. Joseph Martin, Jr., Gen. George C. Marshall, J. Leonard Reinsch, Col. Harry Vaughan, John Snyder, first lady Bess Truman, Mary Margaret Truman and Secretary of War Henry Stimson. Fred M. Vinson is in the foreground. (AP Photo) Anonymous, AP
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A huge American flag unfurled in New York’s Herald Square on VE Day on May 8, 1945. This 80x160 foot flag was hung from the eighth floor balcony of Macy’s New York department store, covering the façade from 34th and 35th Streets along Broadway. Beneath it were placed a set of British, Chinese, French and Russian flags, held by two giant mailer fists. (AP Photo) Associated Press
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The Tower of London floodlit during the VE Day celebrations, on May 8, 1945. (AP Photo) Associated Press, AP
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Dnews headline declared war is over Photo DNews Archive DNews Archive, Photo DNews Archive
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Thousands jam Wall Street May 7, 1945, to celebrate German surrender. Photo DNews Archive Photo DNews Archive
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May 8, 1945, was celebrated in the United States as VE — Victory in Europe — Day, but the fighting in World War II was still ongoing, as the Deseret News proclaims on this VE Day front page. With the war over in Europe, America's attention turned to th Deseret News
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An American soldier, right, hugs an Englishwoman as other U.S. soldiers celebrate the surrender of Germany, May 7, 1945, in London's Piccadilly Circus. (AP Photo) Associated Press, AP
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President Harry S. Truman sits in front of the microphone holding his speech to the nation announcing the Allied armies won an unconditional surrender from German forces on all fronts in 1945. (AP Photo) Associated Press, AP
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Through streets lined deep with jubilant Danish crowds, British troops enter the city of Copenhagen during VE Day celebrations on May 11, 1945, after the announcement of Germany’s unconditional surrender to the Allies. (AP Photo/Eddie Worth) Eddie Worth, Associated Press
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The Dutch town of Enschede, Netherlands, during VE Day celebrations,on May 12, 1945. Men and women dancing in the square. (AP Photo) Associated Press, British Official
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Danish actor is Schoenberg, rides on a jeep with a Danish patriot through the liberated town of Copenhagen, during VE Day celebrations on May 22, 1945. In the background can be seen men of the RAF who also received a tremendous welcome from the Danes. (AP Photo) Associated Press
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Paper showers from buildings on either side of Boston's Newspaper Row May 8,1945 after official announcement of victory in Europe. All traffic was halted on Washington Street for several hours, most stores declared a holiday. (AP Photo) Associated Press, AP
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Crowds of civilians, British and Allied troops wave and cheer as Winston Churchill, second balcony from left, and members of the cabinet appear, to celebrate the end of the war in Europe, in Whitehall, London, May 8, 1945. (AP Photo) Associated Press, AP
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France's Foreign Minister Georges Bidault makes a VE Day radio statement from the Opera House in San Francisco, CA, May 8, 1945. Listening to his address are, seated from left, China's Ambassador to the U.S., Wellington Koo, Britain's Foreign Minister Anthony Eden and U.S. Secretary of State Edward Stettinius. (AP Photo) Associated Press, AP
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The Supreme Commander, Gen. Dwight Eisenhower and his party enjoy a belated V-E Day celebration during a suprise visit to London on May 15, 1945. Left to right is Lt. John Eisenhower, son of the commander, Miss Tony Porter, Eisenhower, his secretary Lt. Kay Summersby and Gen. Omar N. Bradley. (AP Photo) Associated Press
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This is an aerial view of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris on VE Day, May 7, 1945, shows thousands of French people celebrating the announcement of Germany's unconditional surrender to the Allies. British, American and French servicemen mingled with the crowds who sang and danced throughout the night. (AP Photo/Griffin) Henry L. Griffin, AP
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British Prime Minister Winston Churchill arrives at St. Paul's Cathedral in London, England, to attend thanksgiving services for the victory in Europe, May 1945 in World War II. (AP Photo) Associated Press
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Sir Gordon Lethem, Governor of British Guiana, announces Germany's unconditional surrender from the balcony of the Public Buildings in Georgetown, British Guiana, on VE Day, May 8, 1945. (AP Photo) Associated Press, AP
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Britain's Prime Minister Winston Churchill leaves the House of Commons, London, on VE Day, May 8, 1945, in a procession of MPs after officially announcing Germany's unconditional surrender. In a spontanaous move, the House is attending a service at nearby St. Margaret's Church to give thanks for peace. (AP Photo) Associated Press, AP
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A vast crowd assembled in front of Buckingham Palace, London, on VE Day, May 8, 1945, cheers the Royal Family as they come out on the balcony, centre, minutes after the official announcement of Germany's unconditional surrender. From left are: Princess Elizabeth; Queen Elizabeth; King George VI; and Princess Margaret. (AP Photo/Leslie Priest) LESLIE PRIEST, AP
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Shoppers line up for bread on Chelsea's Pimlico Road, London, on VE Day, May 8, 1945. London's shopkeepers opened their doors for only two hours this morning so Londoner's could buy groceries to last them over the Victory Holiday period. (AP Photo) Associated Press, AP
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The crowd gathered outside Buckingham Palace, London, on VE Day, May 8, 1945, watch the Guards return to Wellington Barracks after the Changing ceremony. The crowd is waiting for King George VI and his Queen to appear on the balcony. (AP Photo/Leslie Priest) LESLIE PRIEST, AP
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General Dwight D. Eisenhower holds up a V-for-Victory gesture with the two pens used by high ranking German officers in signing the surrender document at the school house in Reims, France on May 7, 1945. Kay Summersby, background left, Eisenhower's chauffeur-secretary, is seen peeking over General Walter Bedell Smith's shoulder. Her face was censored from the official photo taken by T/Sgt. Al Meserlin, Ike's personal photographer. Other officers are not identified. (AP Photo/Al Meserlin) AL MESERLIN, AP
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Staff Sgt. Arthur Moore of Buffalo, N.Y., who was wounded in Belgium, stands on 42nd Street near Grand Central Station in New York Monday, May 7, 1945 as New Yorkers celebrate news of VE Day, victory over Nazi Germany. (AP Photo) Associated Press, AP
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Happy crowds gather round the Rond-Point on the Champs-Elysees, Paris, France, on VE Day, May 8, 1945, to celebrate the announcement of Germany's unconditional surrender. (AP Photo/Henry L. Griffin) HENRY L. GRIFFIN, AP
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Britain's Prime Minister Winston Churchill, center, joins the royal family, from left, Princess Elizabeth, Queen Elizabeth, King George VI, and Princess Margaret, on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, London, England, on VE-Day on May 8, 1945. (AP Photo) Associated Press, AP
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A crowd gathers to celebrate V-E Day at Piccadilly Circus in London, England, on May 8, 1945. The statute of Eros in the center of the square has been boarded up throughout the war for protection from bombing. (AP Photo) Associated Press, BRITISH OFFICIAL PHOTO
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St. Paul's Cathedral, one of the buildings that survived the wartime blitzes, is shown at night in floodlighting for the first time in nearly six years as a symbol of victory on V-E Day, Victory in Europe, in London, England, on May 8, 1945. (AP Photo) Associated Press
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People crowd Times Square at 42nd Street in New York City on May 8, 1945, as the VE Day celebration continues into the night. The dimout and the brownout of the "Great White Way" have been replaced once more by the bright lights of victory. (AP Photo/Matty Zimmerman) MATTY ZIMMERMAN, AP
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Looking north from 44th Street, New York's Times Square is packed Monday, May 7, 1945, with crowds celebrating the news of Germany's unconditional surrender in World War II. (AP Photo/Tom Fitzsimmons) TOM FITZSIMMONS, AP
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Two men climb a lamppost during nighttime VE Day celebrations in the West End of London, England, on May 7, 1945. (AP Photo) Associated Press
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People crowd into the street outside the U.S. and British Embassies, Lisbon, Portugal, on VE Day, May 8, 1945. Jubilant crowds celebrated for two days and nights. (AP Photo) Associated Press, AP
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The crowd cheers Britian's Prime Minister Winston Churchill and his Cabinet as they appear on the balcony of the Ministry of Health building, in Whitehall, London, May 8, 1945, to say a few word of thanks to the people. (AP Photo) Associated Press, AP
Jackie Hicken
By Jackie Hicken

"This is a solemn but glorious hour. General Eisenhower informs me that the forces of Germany have surrendered to the United Nations. The flags of freedom fly all over Europe."

Seventy-four years ago today, on May 8, 1945, President Harry S. Truman read those words to the press, a few hours before he would say them to the rest of the country. This raising of the "flags of freedom" marked what became known as VE Day, or Victory in Europe Day.

Germany's surrender did not mark the end of World War II, as the war was still ongoing against Japan, but signaled a shift in attention to the fight on the Pacific Front. Three months later, in August, Japan would follow Germany in surrendering.

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On this 74th anniversary of VE Day, here's a photographic look back at the world's reaction to Germany's surrender and the end of the war in Europe:

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