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Two-minute silence across Britain to mark 70th anniversary of VE Day

Xinhua, May 8, 2015 Adjust font size:

A two-minute silence was held across Britain Friday afternoon, through the buzz of the British general election, marking the 70th anniversary of the end of war in Europe.

The silence at the Cenotaph in London's Whitehall began at 3:00 p.m. local time (1400 GMT). Prime Minister David Cameron, who led his Conservative Party to victory in the election, took part in the event and laid a wreath at the Cenotaph.

Ed Miliband, Nick Clegg attended the commemorative ceremony although they resigned after their party's defeat in the election. Nicola Sturgeon, leader of the Scottish National Party, took part in the event as well.

People in Oxfordshire, Belfast held a two-minute silence at the same time.

Remembrance events will be held across Britain.

A beacon will be lit at the Tower of London on the bank of Thames River Friday evening, while Trafalgar Square and the House of Parliament will be lit up with special V-shaped lights until Sunday evening, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Victory in Europe.

More than 200 beacons around the country will be lit this evening. Endit