Danmarks Frihedsdag - 4. Maj
Remembering and celebrating Denmark's Liberation Day on May 4th at the Danish Church Newcastle.
The Significance of Liberation Day
It had been clear for some time that the Second World War in Europe was drawing to a close. Danes living in Jutland must have watched anxiously as the Germans brought troops and equipment northwards in preparation for a last huge battle.
The Evening of May 4th, 1945
But in the evening of 4th May 1945, as Danes listened to the news from the BBC's Danish-language service, the Danish speaker suddenly fell silent. After what seemed like an eternity, the speaker, Johannes G Sørensen's voice returned. Calmly he read out, "I dette øjeblik meddeles det, at Montgomery har oplyst, at de tyske tropper i Holland, Nordvesttyskland og i Danmark har overgivet sig." "Just now, it is being reported that Montgomery informs us that the German troops in Holland, North West Germany and Denmark have surrendered."
Celebration and Remembrance
Strictly speaking the surrender happened at midnight but the Danes began celebrating immediately. They ran into the streets, singing and shouting, they tore the hated black-out curtains down and built bonfires with them in the street.
The Exception of Bornholm
Just not on the island of Bornholm. Here, the German commandant insisted on surrendering to Montgomery but the Soviet troops were closer. When the German commandant refused to surrender to the Red Army, they resolutely bombed the two largest towns on the island on 7 May and arrived on 9 May to occupy the island. They stayed until April 1946. So, when in Denmark we mark Liberation Day on 4 May by placing lit candles in their windows, on Bornholm they do not. Liberation happened months later there.
Join us to Commemorate
Learn more about our services and events planned to mark Danmarks Frihedsdag. We remember and celebrate together.