Soldiers wear protective face masks at a VE Day memorial in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Friday, May 8.
In photos: Muted celebrations mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day
Soldiers wear protective face masks at a VE Day memorial in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Friday, May 8.
Mindaugas Kulbis/AP

Updated 1828 GMT (0228 HKT) May 08, 2020

May 8 marks the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe, otherwise known as Victory in Europe (VE) Day.

VE Day commemorates the end of a conflict in which tens of millions of lives were lost and the course of history changed forever.

But many of the events planned to celebrate the milestone this year have been canceled or postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. This has left European leaders and community organizers no choice but to pivot their plans toward alternative celebrations that account for social-distancing measures.

Sgt. David Beveridge fires a gun salute from the ramparts of Scotland's Edinburgh Castle.
Sgt. David Beveridge fires a gun salute from the ramparts of Scotland's Edinburgh Castle.
Jane Barlow/PA Images/Getty Images
German Chancellor Angela Merkel attends a wreath-laying ceremony at the Neue Wache Memorial in Berlin.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel attends a wreath-laying ceremony at the Neue Wache Memorial in Berlin.
Filip Singer/Pool/Getty Images
Graham and Sue Gillson put finishing touches on their home decorations in Hartley Wintney, England.
Graham and Sue Gillson put finishing touches on their home decorations in Hartley Wintney, England.
Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images
US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the World War II Memorial in Washington.
US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the World War II Memorial in Washington.
Evan Vucci/AP
Britain's Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, take part in a two-minute silence at the Balmoral War Memorial near Crathie, Scotland.
Britain's Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, take part in a two-minute silence at the Balmoral War Memorial near Crathie, Scotland.
Amy Muir/WPA Pool/Getty Images
A member of the British Armed Forces stands next to The Cenotaph war memorial in London.
A member of the British Armed Forces stands next to The Cenotaph war memorial in London.
Peter Summers/Getty Images
The Red Arrows, officially known as the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, fly over London.
The Red Arrows, officially known as the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, fly over London.
Alberto Pezzali/AP
French President Emmanuel Macron looks up at the statue of Charles de Gaulle during VE Day ceremonies in Paris.
French President Emmanuel Macron looks up at the statue of Charles de Gaulle during VE Day ceremonies in Paris.
Francois Mori/AP
Graves of French soldiers killed in World War II are pictured at the military cemetery in Sigolsheim, France.
Graves of French soldiers killed in World War II are pictured at the military cemetery in Sigolsheim, France.
Jean-Francois Badias/AP
People applaud as a World War II veteran walks past them in London.
People applaud as a World War II veteran walks past them in London.
Frank Augstein/AP
People in Chester, England, are dressed in costume as they take part in a street party to mark VE Day.
People in Chester, England, are dressed in costume as they take part in a street party to mark VE Day.
Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images
A Russian soldier stands at the Soviet War memorial in Berlin.
A Russian soldier stands at the Soviet War memorial in Berlin.
Markus Schreiber/AP
A couple carries a Union Jack flag as they drive past The Cenotaph war memorial in London.
A couple carries a Union Jack flag as they drive past The Cenotaph war memorial in London.
Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty Images
The statue of Britain's wartime prime minister, Winston Churchill, stands in an almost empty Parliament Square in London. To mark the anniversary of VE Day, the BBC has said it will rebroadcast Churchill's speech declaring victory in Europe.
The statue of Britain's wartime prime minister, Winston Churchill, stands in an almost empty Parliament Square in London. To mark the anniversary of VE Day, the BBC has said it will rebroadcast Churchill's speech declaring victory in Europe.
Frank Augstein/AP
A veteran holds a French flag before a ceremony in Lille, France.
A veteran holds a French flag before a ceremony in Lille, France.
Michel Spingler/AP
Louise Marshall plays the bagpipes at dawn along Portobello Beach in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Louise Marshall plays the bagpipes at dawn along Portobello Beach in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Jane Barlow/PA Images/Getty Images
Cyclists watch as the Red Arrows fly over Buckingham Palace in London.
Cyclists watch as the Red Arrows fly over Buckingham Palace in London.
Frank Augstein/AP
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson lights a candle at the grave of the Unknown Warrior in London's Westminster Abbey.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson lights a candle at the grave of the Unknown Warrior in London's Westminster Abbey.
Leon Neal/Pool/AFP via Getty Images
Andrew Heeley, a maintenance manager at Bamburgh Castle, draws a giant Union Jack flag on a beach in Northumberland, England.
Andrew Heeley, a maintenance manager at Bamburgh Castle, draws a giant Union Jack flag on a beach in Northumberland, England.
Owen Humphreys/AP
A factory worker in Aylesford, England, prepares commemorative figures for VE Day while wearing personal protective equipment to guard against the coronavirus on Tuesday, May 5.
A factory worker in Aylesford, England, prepares commemorative figures for VE Day while wearing personal protective equipment to guard against the coronavirus on Tuesday, May 5.
DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images