May 8, 2015 marks the 70th anniversary of VE Day

May 8, 2015 marks the 70th anniversary of VE Day, also known as Victory in Europe Day, and the end of WWII in Europe. On May 8, 1945, German soldiers laid down their arms throughout Europe surrendering to the Allied powers. Thousands of people marched on the streets celebrating this tremendous victory in both the United States and United Kingdom. (AP)

A state-of-the-art Russian tank, which was shown to the public for the first time earlier this month, on Thursday ground to a halt during the final Victory Day rehearsal.

A huge American flag unfurled in New Yorkâs Herald Square on VE Day on May 8, 1945. This 80x160 foot flag was hung from the eighth floor balcony of Macyâs 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)

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)

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)

The Tower of London floodlit during the VE Day celebrations, on May 8, 1945. (AP Photo)

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)

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 premierâs broadcast officially announcing Germanyâs unconditional surrender. (AP Photo)

After making his public broadcast officially announcing Germanyâs 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. Margaretâs 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. Margaretâs Church in London, on May 8, 1945. (AP Photo)

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)

Mounted policemen strive to clear a path for Premier Winston Churchillâs 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)

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)

The floodlit Mansion House, in London, on May 8, 1945, during the VE Day celebrations. (AP Photo)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

Two men climb a lamppost during nighttime VE Day celebrations in the West End of London, England, on May 7, 1945. (AP Photo)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)