Liberation Day (Channel Islands)
| Liberation Day | |
|---|---|
 Liberation Day in Jersey, 2007 | |
| Official name | English: Liberation Day Jèrriais:Jour d'la Libéthâtion Guernésiais:Jour dé la Libératiaon |
| Observed by | Guernsey,Jersey |
| Type | National Day |
| Date | 9 May |
| Next time | 9 May 2025 |
| Frequency | annual |
| Related to | German occupation of the Channel IslandsduringWorld War II |
Liberation Day(Jèrriais:Jour d'la Libéthâtion;Guernésiais:Lé Jour dé la Libératiaon[1]) is thenational dayof bothGuernseyandJersey,[2][3]the two largest of theChannel Islands,which takes place on 9 May each year. It commemorates the liberation of the Channel Islands on 9 May 1945, which marked the end of theislands' occupation by Nazi Germanyduring World War II. It falls on the same day as the European Union'sEurope Day,which celebrates post-World War II peace and European unity. 9 May is a public holiday in both islands and each has different celebrations and commemorative events; the centrepiece of Jersey's is the Liberation Day re-enactment in the Liberation Square, while Guernsey's is an islandwide cavalcade of classic vehicles.[4]
History[edit]
On 9 May 1945,HMSBulldogarrived inSt Peter Port,Guernsey, and the German forces surrendered unconditionally aboard the vessel at dawn. British forces landed inSt Peter Portshortly afterwards and were greeted by crowds of joyous but malnourished islanders singing, amongst other patriotic songs, "Sarnia-Cherie".[5]
The same day,HMSBeagle,which had set out fromPlymouth,arrived inJerseyto accept the surrender of the occupying forces there. Two naval officers, Surgeon Lieutenant Ronald McDonald and Sub Lieutenant R Milne, were met by the Harbour Master who escorted them to his office where they together hoisted theUnion Flagbefore also raising it on the flagstaff of thePomme d'Or Hotel.This has been re-enacted every year on Liberation Day since 1995. From 2003 to 2011, former Harbour Master and Jerseyman Captain Howard Le Cornu performed this annually. His father, John E. Le Cornu, and uncle, David M. Le Cornu, had been in the crowds and had witnessed the occasion on 9 May 1945.[6][7]
Sarkwas liberated on 10 May 1945, and the German troops in Alderney surrendered on 16 May 1945.[8]
Official status[edit]
ThePublic HolidaysandBank Holidays(Jersey) Act 1952 established Liberation Day as a public holiday if it fell on a weekday.[9]The Public Holidays and Bank Holidays (Jersey) Act 2010 further laid down that Liberation was also to be a public holiday if it falls on a Saturday.[10]It is not a public holiday, and no day off in lieu is provided, if it falls on a Sunday.[11]
Liberation Day is also a public holiday in Guernsey, according to the Public Holidays Ordinance 1994. Unlike Jersey's, Guernsey employment law provides no statutory entitlement to public holidays.[12]
Ceremonies[edit]
Since the 50th anniversary of Liberation in 1995, a pattern of official ceremonies has developed based in and around Liberation Square inSaint Helierwhere the events at the Harbour Master's Office andPomme D'Or Hoteloccurred in 1945. Following a special sitting of theStates of Jerseyin the morning, States Members, clergy, theBailiff of Jersey,theLieutenant-Governor,Jurats,Crown Officers, and other officials process from the Royal Square to Liberation Square accompanied by the Royal Mace and the Bailiff's Seal. An open airecumenicalservice takes place in Liberation Square followed by the singing of "Man Bieau P'tit Jèrri" / "Beautiful Jersey" (in Jèrriais and English) and a re-enactment of the raising of flags (including that atFort Regent). A parade of vintage and military vehicles, bands and service organisations is reviewed by the official party.[citation needed]
The afternoon community celebrations are of an informal character, including a programme of entertainments and stalls inSaint Helier.[13]
An official ceremony also takes place at the Crematorium where there is a memorial to victims and slave workers of various nationalities. Representatives of affected nationalities take part in the commemoration.[14]
In 1995, artist Eric Snell[15]designed the Liberation Monument in St Peter Port to commemorate Liberation Day. The needle-like monument is designed to cast a shadow on a bench where the liberation of Guernsey is described. It was unveiled on 9 May 1995 byPrince Charleswhile military helicopters flew past.[16]
The celebrations to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation could not be held in 2020 or 2021 due to theCOVID-19 pandemicand were postponed until 8 – 10 May 2022 when thePrince Edward, Earl of WessexandSophie, Countess of Wessexwere royal guests at the celebrations in Jersey, Guernsey,Alderney,and Sark and read a message to islanders fromQueen Elizabeth II.[17]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^"Our words, our heritage".guernseypress.9 May 2013.Retrieved2 May2023.
- ^"Plans to celebrate Liberation 75".gov.je.Retrieved12 May2020.
- ^Heath, Ian (11 May 2020)."'I am hopeful that much of this work will not have been wasted'".jerseyeveningpost.Retrieved12 May2020.
- ^"Liberation Day Cavalcade".Liberation Day.Retrieved2 May2023.
- ^"Sarnia Chérie (Guernsey anthem) – Sung on Liberation Day in 1945".YouTube.
- ^"Jersey youth vital to Liberation Day – Bailiff".BBC News. 9 May 2011.
- ^"Jersey celebrates Liberation Day anniversary".BBC News. 9 May 2011.
- ^"In Pictures: Sark's Liberation Day".ITV News.Retrieved2 March2021.
- ^"Public Holidays and Bank Holidays (Jersey) Law 1951".Retrieved7 March2023.
- ^"Public Holidays and Bank Holidays (Jersey) Act 2010".Retrieved7 March2023.
- ^"States of Jersey Official Report".Retrieved13 May2012.
- ^Legal Resources, States of Guernsey (1994),Public Holidays Ordinance, 1994,retrieved2 May2023
- ^"Jersey islanders mark Liberation Day".BBC News. 9 May 2010.Retrieved3 October2012.
- ^"Never forget the price of freedom".Archived from the original on 15 September 2012.Retrieved13 May2012.
{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^"Eric Snell".
- ^"Guernsey's Liberation Monument – A Fusion of Art and Science".9 August 2019.
- ^"Earl and Countess of Wessex visit Channel Islands for Liberation Day".ITV News.9 May 2022.Retrieved10 May2022.
External links[edit]
Media related toLiberation Day in Jerseyat Wikimedia Commons
