IWM (Imperial War Museums) - Discover more about the Second World War

JANUARY 2015

This year marks 70 years since the end of the Second World War, one of the most significant conflicts of modern history. At IWM we are marking a number of anniversaries throughout 2015, including the liberation of the Nazi concentration camps, VE Day and the surrender of Japan - key events which signified the end of the war in 1945.

Holocaust Memorial Day: A Closer Look Tour

19 January - 31 January, Free This year marks the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. Discover the stories of Holocaust survivor Edith Birkin, whose artwork is on display at IWM North, and Ruth Wasserman, who came to Britain on the Kindertransport in 1939. Learn about the experience of Leslie Hardman, a Jewish Chaplain with the British Army, who entered Bergen-Belsen concentration camp two days after its liberation. There will be a BSL Interpreted tour on Sunday 25 January at 1.20pm.

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Performance: The Burning Bush Family Weekends: Memories 25 January, 2.15 - 3.45pm Reflecting the theme of this year's Holocaust Memorial Day 'Keeping The Memory Alive', acclaimed music ensemble, The Burning Bush, will perform traditional music and song from diverse Jewish cultures in IWM North's Main Exhibition Space. Every Saturday and Sunday throughout January Visit our Open Studio and explore this year's Holocaust Memorial Day theme by decorating a fabric square with your memories, to add to IWM North's patchwork Memories quilt. Find out more See all family events

The surrender of Imperial Japan, 1945

In August 1945, the United States dropped two atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This devastating destruction, combined with a Soviet invasion of Japanese Manchuria, forced Japan to surrender. As part of their cultural traditions, many of the formal surrender ceremonies ended with Japanese officers handing over their swords. This act symbolised the final moment of defeat.

Find out more in our display Turning Points: 1934 - 1945

The Holocaust Exhibition Introduction to the Holocaust Visit our award-winning Holocaust Exhibition and learn about the events that led up to the liberation of both Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen concentration camps 70 years ago. Hear the stories of people's efforts to survive as told through testimonies from survivors and objects including photographs, diaries and film. Recommended for children aged 14 and above. Sat 24 January - Sun 25 January 11.30am - 12.30pm and 2.30pm - 3.30pm IWM London Join us for a free discussion and replica object handling session that serves as a useful starting point for families who wish to learn about the Holocaust. The session is suitable for children aged 11 and above. Find out more Find out more

Commemorating VE Day and the Battle of Britain

This year, IWM Duxford commemorates the 70th anniversary of VE Day and the 75th anniverary of the Battle of Britain. Our February half term activities (Saturday 14 - Sunday 22 February) look at the role played by General Montgomery in achieving Victory in Europe. The VE Day Anniversary Air Show (Saturday 23 - Sunday 24 May) pays tribute to the men, women and children who endured six years of conflict on the fighting fronts and the Home Front of the Second World War. We'll be commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain and RAF Duxford's role in that pivotal aerial battle with tours, learning activities, a new exhibition and The Battle of Britain Anniversary Air Show (Saturday 19 - Sunday 20 September). We'll keep you updated in the coming months.

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Britain's Wartime Leader Remembered

2015 marks 50 years since Churchill's death, 60 years since his final resignation as Prime Minister, and 75 years since his now famous 'finest hour' speech. You can explore iconic objects from Churchill's life in the Churchill Museum including a rattle used by Churchill as a baby, the door of number 10 Downing Street when he was Prime Minister and the flag used to drape the coffin at his State funeral. Entrance to the museum is included with your ticket to Churchill War Rooms.

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Churchill's Funeral

Winston Churchill died on 24 January 1965. A state funeral was held six days later, and crowds lined the streets from Westminster to St Paul's Cathedral to watch the funeral procession. A spectator captured this fascinating amateur footage on his 8 millimetre camera at Ludgate Hill, near St Paul's Cathedral.

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"We arrived in Fremantle on VJ Day..."

"... And we had one day ashore before we sailed so a lot of us went into Perth - it was just up the river. And I've said before I have no idea what Perth is like on a normal day, because everyone was balmy... There were people going round in cars with tin cans hanging, people climbing the buildings... Officially, everyone was over the moon!" - Bob Jones, instructor officer aboard HMS Belfast in the Far East¹ After her important role in the D-Day landings, HMS Belfast sailed for the Far East and helped shuttle repatriated Allied prisoners of war and civilian internees following the dropping of the atomic bombs and Japan's surrender. To get to the Far East, HMS Belfast crossed the Equator for the first time and as such went through the 'Crossing the Line' ceremony that involves all members of a ship's company who have yet to cross the Equator into southern waters. This ceremony required them to submit to various indignities at the hands of 'King Neptune and his Court' and at the end, each victim receives a certificate signed by the Captain. Find out more in the War and Peace exhibition on HMS Belfast.

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