Chicagoans took to the streets for a V-E Day celebration on May 8, 1945.
Two young women dance with joy on State Street with the announcement by President Truman of the end of the conflict in Europe on May 8, 1945. This was typical of the scenes in Chicago’s Loop on V-E Day.
The crowds at State and Madison Streets cheer for the official V-E Day on May 8, 1945.
When Seaman Don Newberry and his girlfriend, Bernice Sieman, read the news of Germany’s surrender they celebrated in the Loop. Editors note: this photo has some hand painting on the original print.
Patients at Gardiner General Hospital who were wounded in Germany read the news of the European war’s end and smile on May 8, 1945.
Crowds gather near the decorated Carson Pirie Scott & Co. store at State and Madison Streets on May 8, 1945, the official V-E Day.
Cpl. Robert Burke of Akron, Ohio, didn’t mind being awakened at the Servicemen’s Center in Chicago by his pal, Pvt. Dick Rogers of Youngstown, Ohio.
Service men and women join in a prayer of thanksgiving at the Washington Street Service Men’s Center on V-E Day, May 8, 1945. From left are, Seaman John Mills, Tech. Kenneth Bower, Specialist Mildred Hester, Sgt. Harry Wolfe, Staff Sgt. Gordon Guenther, Ranger Dick Rogers, and Corp. Robert Burke. Editors note: this photo has some hand painting on the original print.
The crowd at State and Madison Streets takes a time out from V-E Day celebrations to remove their hats and bow their heads while a public address system uttered a prayer and played taps on May 8, 1945.
Clara Zwierzynski stops to pray at her machine on May 8, 1945, V-E Day, for her husband Vlad, who is fighting in Germany. Editors note: this photo has some hand painting on the original print.
Employes at Gaylord Products, Inc., are more than happy to celebrate V-E Day, but still are awaiting the fall of Japan to go all out in rejoicing. The plant produced pill-box piercing artillery fuses that the Yanks used in the Pacific.
Pvt. Ray Danhoff, who was wounded during action in Germany, reads of the surrender he helped bring with newsboy Percy Grace, right. Editors note: this photo has some hand painting on the original print.
About 500 draftees were inducted into the armed forces on V-E Day at the station at 166 W. Van Buren Street. This cheering group left the North Western station a few hours after V-E Day was proclaimed on May 8, 1945, for Fort Sheridan and on to Tokyo. Editors note: this photo has some hand painting on the original print.
No time off for war plants even though Germany has surrendered. Sylvia Gunther keeps busy at the Western Electric punch press producing the tools to beat Japan.
Military and civilian personnel of the Sixth Service Command Headquarters are shown praying during a V-E Day thanksgiving service on May 8, 1945, at the Civic Opera Building.
