Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for those who lost their lives during the Second World War - 8-9 May.

On May 8th and 9th, the day is set aside as “The Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives during the Second World War.” These two days recognize the sacrifices and loss of military and civilians during the second global war. As an observance, non-governmental organizations and individuals are urged to pay tribute to the victims of World War II. On May 8, 1945, World War II Allies accepted the unconditional surrender Nazi Germany. The anniversary is also known as Victory in Europe or VE Day.

World War II began in 1939 and ended in 1945, though conflicts before led to the world war. Nearly all nations at the time broke out into two warring factions, the Allies and the Axis. Allies included United Kingdom, U.S.S.R, the United States, and others. The Axis comprised several nations, including Germany, Italy, and Japan. It was fought in Europe, in Russia, North Africa, and in Asia.

Important Facts of World War II: 

• Civilian deaths totaled 50 to 55 million.
• 70 million people fought in WWII.
• The Soviet Union lost 7.5 million soldiers.
• The U.S. lost 400,000.
• Great Britain lost 330,000.
• China lost 2.2 million.
• Among the Axis powers, the German army saw 3.5 million casualties.
• Italy lost 77,000.
• Japan lost 1.2 million.
• Only one out of every four men serving on U-boats survived.
• The mortality rate for POWs in Russian camps was 85%.
• Only 20% of the males born in the Soviet Union in 1923 survived the war.

On 2 March 2010, by resolution 64/257, the General Assembly invited all Member States, organizations of the United Nations system, non-governmental organizations and individuals to observe 8-9 May in an appropriate manner to pay tribute to all victims of the Second World War. A special solemn meeting of the General Assembly in commemoration of all victims of the war was held in the second week of May 2010, marking the sixty-fifth anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

Source: www.un.org

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