Liberation Day

May 9, Friday

Guernsey Liberation Day is a national holiday celebrated on the island of Guernsey (part of the Channel Islands, which are dependent on the British Crown). It commemorates the anniversary of the island’s liberation from German occupation during World War II.

The holiday is celebrated annually on May 9, starting from 1945.

Historical Context
During World War II, in 1940, Guernsey was occupied by Nazi Germany. It was the only British region to fall under German occupation. The island’s inhabitants were under the control of the occupiers for nearly 5 years.

On May 9, 1945, the day after Germany’s surrender, British forces arrived on Guernsey and liberated the island, marking the event as a national holiday that continues to this day.

How is Guernsey Liberation Day celebrated?
The holiday is celebrated with great pomp and includes:

- Ceremonial services and parades
- Wreath-laying at memorials for the fallen
- Festive processions in historical costumes
- Street fairs, concerts, and family events
- The sound of sirens and the raising of the flag as a symbol of liberation
- Dress-up in 1940s clothing and historical reenactments

Significance of the holiday
This day symbolizes not only the end of occupation but also the strength of spirit, resistance, the memory of losses, and national pride for what was endured. It is very important for the local residents and is a day to remember freedom and the price paid for it.

Interesting Facts
- The occupation of Guernsey has been the subject of many books, films, and documentaries, including "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society".
- On the island, remnants of the occupation can still be found: bunkers, fortifications, and German inscriptions.
- Guernsey is one of the few regions in Europe where Liberation Day is celebrated on May 9, not May 8, as the liberation happened a day later.

Liberation Day – days left: 14. Create Countdown to Event

Liberation Day in other years

2021 May 9, Sunday
2022 May 9, Monday
2023 May 9, Tuesday
2024 May 9, Thursday
2026 May 9, Saturday

Liberation Day in other countries