First published in The Canberra Times on August 16, 1945 - the day after the end of the Second World War was announced.
Peaceful Canberra has never known such scenes as were witnessed from immediately after the announcement of peace and throughout the night.
The climax came last night when revellers converged on Manuka Oval and the Albert Hall where the great throng for a time blocked communication between the north and south sides of the city.
Meanwhile, the floodlit pile of the Australian War Memorial gave solemn reminder of the suffering and sacrifice through which peace with victory has come at last.
When the announcement by the British Prime Minister (Mr. Attlee) came through, shops had just opened, offices had begun their day's work and school children were on their way to school.
Workers on the play centre at Reid were apparently a little late in receiving the news because at 10a.m. they were still "at it." However, they soon made up for lost time.
By 10.30, Civic Centre presented a scene of jubilation never before witnessed in Canberra.
One reveller had gone around all the shops and painted yellow "V" signs on the windows, while salvage baskets were uprooted, papers showered on the roadway and people singing and yelling everywhere.
Similar scenes were witnessed at Manuka and Kingston.
Cars everywhere were held up by the happy throng, many of whom packed on the cars and loaded with without regard for capacity. There were no mishaps.
Most vehicles had the yellow "V" painted across them and no one cared so long as it was victory.
One happy group, 18 abreast, staged an unofficial march through Civic Centre, blocking all traffic and despite the tooting of horns by motorists they would not let them through.
Mort Street, outside 2CA, presented a scene of wild hilarity, with hundreds of civilians and Air Force personnel, the latter of whom had come into town for the occasion.
Everyone joined in an impromptu community singing concert, which 2CA broadcast.
When a van belonging to the Commonwealth Cordial Co. tried to get through the crowd, it was a popular target. Although it was loaded with cordials when it started its journey, by the time it had passed, it was several bottles light.
Everyone was carrying flags or sprigs of wattle, and the flags of all the United Nations fluttered from the buildings at Civic.
A great din was made with the amazing number of cans and tins, which appeared by magic in a matter of minutes with the screech of the air-raid sirens.
Members of the Prices Branch staff have been relieved of the "knock-off" bell, which was "souvenired" by a group of merrymakers and rolled along to Civic but eventually disappeared.
Professional and amateur photographers were kept busy taking shots of the merrymakers.
Shopkeepers at Manuka let the people know that victory was really here by distributing free many varieties of fruit, vegetables, bottles of soft drink and meat pies and cigarettes.
One of the celebrating throng at Civic Centre had a short-lived celebration when she slipped and broke her ankle and had to be taken to hospital.
After a lunch hour respite, crowds returned in preparation for the civic celebrations.
By 2 o'clock, the main square at Civic was packed with more than 1,000 people of all ages, most of whom had begun to sing and dance although there was no music at that time.
The Chairman of the Advisory Council (Mr. C. S. Daley) said that the gathering was perhaps the greatest ever seen in Canberra. The celebrations gave he to the notion that Canberra people were stodgy or conservative.
Mr. Daley said whilst we were rejoicing at the great victory of Democracy against the forces of evil, we should not forget those who had paid the supreme sacrifice to make such a celebration possible; also, we still have a hard job ahead of us in keeping the peace.
Sir Robert Garran said that this was one of the greatest days in the history of the whole world. After six years of bitter fighting, we were again safe from the enemies of Democracy.
The Superintendent of the Canberra Community Hospital (Dr. L. W. Nutt) said that he had a great feeling of satisfaction to be able to take part in the wonderful celebrations, but at the same time there is still a lot to be done and a lot to whom this day will bring sad memories of those who will never return.
At this stage, celebrations were resumed with community singing and dancing, but to the disappointment of revellers, more speeches were announced.
Mr. A. T. Shakespeare, Editor of The Canberra Times, asked for a vote by those who were in favour of short speeches, the result being unanimous. Mr. Shakespeare said that in the midst of the celebrations, people should pause for a moment to think of those in Canberra and everywhere throughout Australia who had cause to mourn during the six years war.
Other speakers included the President of the R.S.L. (Mr. W. Crawford), and the President of the A.C.T. Trades and Labour Council (Mr. S. Rhodes).
On the official stand, which was the back of a flat-top truck, was Mr. W. Dunbar, master of ceremonies, and members of the orchestra, who gave valuable service for the community singing, which was undertaken wholeheartedly.
After one round of singing, one young enthusiast called over the amplifying system, "You little beauty."
At Manuka, a throng of 2,000 attended the organised celebrations at Manuka, most of which were for the benefit of children. Races for persons of all ages were held, for which there was prize-money, whilst special leap-frog and tug-o'-war competitions were arranged for the youngsters.
Dancing was held on the lawns at the Manuka Oval, which also accompanied the songsters in the community singing. Proceedings were ably handed by the master of ceremonies, Mr. Perc. Douglas, who kept things moving at a fast pace.
One girl, showing a particularly patriotic spirit, appeared at the celebrations with red, white and blue striped stockings.
Despite the celebrations, people did not forget friends and relatives in hospital and the majority of patients had visitors.
Three "Victory" babies were born at the hospital yesterday, all the wives of servicemen.
By 10 o'clock last night a record crowd of more than 1,500 assembled in the Albert Hall to let bubble over the excitement which had filled them since the announcement of peace.
The hall floor and the pavement outside soon became covered with thick layers of torn up papers and, although the crowd seemed disinclined towards dancing, community singing was indulged in with much gusto.
