Celebrations at St Paul’s, VE Day, 8 May 1945

In this image, St Paul’s Cathedral is dramatically illuminated on the night of VE Day, 8 May 1945, which marked the end of the Second World War in Europe. Sir Christopher Wren’s masterpiece in central London had survived the war largely unscathed, despite the onslaught of the Blitz, which left much of the City devastated. Brightly lit up here after years of blackouts, with anti-aircraft searchlights creating a ‘V’ in the skies above, the building played a central role in the victory celebrations. During the course of that day, 80 years ago, ten consecutive thanksgiving services were held there, with huge crowds of soldiers, office workers, shopkeepers, and families surging up