May 8 is an important day in Europe. Many years ago the Second World War ended then. In Dresden people met at the state office. Former President Joachim Gauck gave a speech there. He spoke about the end of the Nazi time. This time was called National Socialism. Gauck said: We must remember the past clearly. The Soviet Union helped to win the war. But later they were not good to many people. This is a difficult part of the history.
In Vienna people held a big event. People met at the Heldenplatz. This is the Square of Heroes. President Alexander Van der Bellen spoke to the people. He said: We must keep our democracy strong. Democracy means the people rule the country. Freedom is not always easy to have. Many people closed their eyes in the past. This must not happen again. We need strong politics against bad words today.
Experts spoke about the criminals of that time. Often they were normal people. They helped with the bad crimes. A witness told about her escape from the Nazis. A witness saw the events herself. She warned against new hate and racism. The Vienna Symphony Orchestra played music. All speakers agreed: Remembering is important for the future.
