That schools didn't observe the 2 minute silence for VE day today?

I'm not sure about a 'silence', but I'd think maybe something themed for the event could take place on the day. But I don't remember that ever happening even when I was at school so maybe it's not really strictly protocol and never has been?
If you're not from a military background surely it doesn't really matter if they do an official ceremony or silence about it?

My fitness class stopped at midday to observe. Very few "ethnic Brits" (whatever that is) but a huge number from the Commonwealth, to whom it still means a great deal.

Yes, it should be a day of celebration, but that was only achieved through immense loss.

“The 2 minute silence” happens in November.

Armistice day remembers all who have fallen. But the end of WW1 was that date. VE Day is Victory in Europe, when the WW2 ended here.

For how long? Another 50 years? A hundred? At some point you need to stop. it’s VE Day. It’s significant bit of history but not massively so.

I'm surprised that your son's school didn't observe the two minute silence today @madeofmore .

My school did. I was teaching year 11 at noon and the all stood up from their desks and observed the 2 minute silence. The school bell rang at 12:00 and 12:02. They had an assembly earlier in the day about VE day too.

When silences occur during break time it brings me close to tears to witness the students in a large comprehensive school immediately fall silent and still on mass. They are always very respectful and take it seriously.

I really don’t think that’s why it gets forgotten. It gets forgotten because it’s not Europe.

I had no idea this was happening. I was in a meeting all morning and it wasn’t mentioned. Isn’t the silence in November?

VJ day gets forgotten because it was precipitated by a war crime (atomic bombing of civilians).

As for the silence, there are so bloody many of them these days that it's easy to lose track. Sure another one will come along soon enough.

@madeofmore do you actually know for sure his school didn't do anything?
Children are great at saying "nothing happened" at school but then it turns out they had a visit from a circus/police dog/fire engine or whatever.

Indeed. Schools in England are still supposed to teach British Values, to all children who attend each school. It's still inspected by Ofsted, too (primary where I'm a governor was inspected last week and BV was specifically interrogated).

The fact you think the 2 min silence was at 11 suggests you also didn’t observe it, OP?

First I heard that there was one. I don’t remember there being one on VE Day before.

@Dreichweather Yes that's true. VJ Day always seems to get forgotten.
My comment though was aimed at the person who seemed to think Non Anglo -Saxon White British children wouldn't be interested or find it relevant.

Majority? Would there be any who would think we had a land fit for heroes now? I doubt it.

I was in a cafe at 12 today and they had the silence, which surprised me.

I don't remember a science being a part of the VE Day celebrations before. This day is about celebrating the victory, not remembrance exactly. Maybe celebrating victory is a bit much now, but that what it is.

I was happy to respect it, but I wouldn't have thought to if they hadn't asked.

But it wasn’t the end of the world war.

We had a school visit this morning ( historical building) 61, year 5's from a very multicultural school and the kids observed it beautifully.

Exactly.

It’s all so bloody performative, like the BBC making everyone wear poppies for the month running up to Remembrance Sunday.

Those who actually fought and lost loved ones in these conflicts never felt the need to do all of this.

We did it all 5 yrs ago though. And a funeral, and a coronation. D Day. VJ Day.

Barely get time to wash the bunting between outings.

Yep. Mind your dog whistling @PluckyCheeks

My DCs secondary school had a 2 minute silence at 12 noon. Work did too; many of us wfh but a 2 minute meeting was put in calendars for 12 noon.