At 3pm on 8 May 1945, Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill declared that all German forces had surrendered.

It marked the end of almost six years of war in Europe, in which 384,000 British soldiers and 70,000 civilians were killed.

Ecstatic crowds celebrate at London's Piccadilly Circus. Pic: Getty
Ecstatic crowds celebrate at London's Piccadilly Circus. Pic: Getty

On the streets of London, where buildings had been destroyed and nearly 20,000 residents killed in the Blitz, two days of joyous celebrations began.

Eighty years on, we remember how VE Day unfolded.

Broadcasting live on radio, Churchill declared the "unconditional surrender of all German land, sea, and air forces in Europe" to the nation.

Hostilities would formally end at a minute past midnight, he said, pronouncing: "The German war is therefore at an end," while cautioning that fighting would continue between Allied forces and the Japanese.

In his famously stirring tone, he reflected on how, after France fell, Britain "maintained the struggle" against Hitler's forces "singlehandedly" for a year before being joined by "our splendid Allies".

"We may allow ourselves a brief period of rejoicing… Today is victory in Europe day."

He signed off: "Let us not forget for a moment the toil and efforts that lie ahead. Advance Britannia. Long live the cause of freedom. God save the King!"

Churchill's 3pm VE Day radio broadcast. Pic: Maj Horton/ IWM

Crowds had already formed overnight in London after news of ceasefires along all fronts broke the previous day, and VE Day was declared a national holiday.

By the time of Churchill's speech, Trafalgar Square, Whitehall, and the Mall were filled with an estimated one million people.

Churchill had been assured there was enough beer for the hundreds of thousands celebrating across the capital... and people were allowed to buy bunting without using their rations.

After Churchill's radio announcement echoed through the streets, thousands outside Buckingham Palace began chanting: "We want the King!"

Crowds watch the Guards return to Wellington Barracks as they wait for the King. Pic: AP
Crowds watch the Guards return to Wellington Barracks as they wait for the King. Pic: AP

The public waits for the royals outside Buckingham Palace. Pic: AP
Crowds waits for the royals outside Buckingham Palace. Pic: AP

It wasn't long before he obliged, and at 3.11pm King George VI appeared on the balcony alongside his wife, Queen Elizabeth, and daughters, Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret, for the first of five times that day.

The Royal Family and Churchill on the Buckingham Palace balcony. Pic: AP
Princess Elizabeth, Margaret, Sir Winston Churchill, King George VI, and Queen Elizabeth on the Buckingham Palace balcony. Pic: AP

After his official broadcast, Churchill led a procession of MPs to St Margaret's Church in Westminster for a service of thanksgiving.

As crowds cheered with delight from either side of the procession, some politicians smiled, while others appeared sombre, still reflecting on the heavy toll of the war.

A map shows the procession route Churchill and his MPs took on VE Day
A map shows the procession route Churchill and his MPs took on VE Day

Twenty similar services were held back-to-back at St Paul's Cathedral for members of the public throughout the day.

Churchill and MPs during the procession through Westminster. Pic: AP
Churchill and MPs during the procession through Westminster. Pic: AP

Meanwhile, huge crowds had gathered outside the Ministry of Health on Whitehall, where Churchill eventually appeared to make another VE Day speech.

People gather outside the Ministry of Health waiting for Churchill to appear. Pic: AP
People gather outside the Ministry of Health waiting for Churchill to appear. Pic: AP

He told the thousands assembled: "This is your victory. In all our long history we have never seen a day greater than this."

"My dear friends, this is your hour. This is not a victory of a party or of any class. It's a victory of the great British nation as a whole," he declared.

Recalling the Blitz, he added: "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."

He praised how the nation had "come back after long months from the jaws of death… out of the mouth of hell".

"Now we have emerged from one deadly struggle – a terrible foe has been cast on the ground and awaits our judgment and our mercy," he concluded to deafening applause.

Sir Winston Churchill (left), his cabinet and King George VI (centre) in the grounds of Buckingham Palace. Pic: AP
Sir Winston Churchill (left), his cabinet and King George VI (centre) in the grounds of Buckingham Palace. Pic: AP

Soon after, Churchill and his War Cabinet met the King in private at Buckingham Palace, before the PM joined him and the Royal Family for a second balcony appearance.

In cities, towns, and villages up and down the country the streets were laid out for parties, the pubs full of revellers, and the streets alive with people singing and dancing.

The festivities continued after night fell, with bonfires being lit and crowds remaining on the streets.

A sailor and a young woman sit by a bonfire in a park on VE Day. Pic: Getty
A sailor and a young woman sit by a bonfire in a park on VE Day. Pic: Getty

VE Day celebrations continue after dark in London's East End. Pic: PA
VE Day celebrations continue after dark in London's East End. Pic: PA

People celebrate on the roof of a taxi in London's Piccadilly. Pic: AP
People celebrate on the roof of a taxi in London's Piccadilly. Pic: AP

An elderly woman gets a hug from a sailor in London on VE Day. Pic: AP
An elderly woman gets a hug from a sailor in London on VE Day. Pic: AP

King George VI broadcast to the country and Commonwealth at 9pm before stepping out on to the balcony for the fourth time.

At 10.15pm, two women from the Auxiliary Territorial Service (the female branch of the Army) shone two anti-aircraft searchlights from St Paul's Cathedral.

One said: "This is the day we've been waiting for.... this is the pleasantest job we have had."

Famously, then Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret slipped into the crowds to join the celebrations after dark, accompanied by Guards officers.

Reflecting on that night, Queen Elizabeth II said in 1985: "I remember lines of unknown people linking arms and walking down Whitehall, all of us just swept along on a tide of happiness and relief."

"I think it was one of the most memorable nights of my life."

While the young princesses mingled in the crowds, their parents stepped out for a fifth and final time just after midnight.

Crowds fill Piccadilly Circus after dark on VE Day. Pic: Shutterstock
Crowds fill Piccadilly Circus after dark on VE Day. Pic: Shutterstock

It would be four months before the surrender of the Japanese - and VJ Day - brought a complete end to World War Two.

A sailor sleeps off VE Day celebrations on some park chairs. Pic: Getty
A sailor sleeps off VE Day celebrations on some park chairs. Pic: Getty

This Thursday marks 80 years since VE Day.

While commemoration events will see streets decked out in bunting, as they were all those years ago, they will also remember the thousands who sacrificed their lives to ensure Britain's victory.