The End of the War in Europe: Religious Headlines in Canada

https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/history-art-culture/online-exhibits/web-exhibits/first-second-world-wars/v-e-day-and-v-j-day-the-end-of-world-war-ii-in-toronto-1945/

Like the secular newspapers, Canada's religious periodicals celebrated the end of the war in Europe. There was still the war against Japan to fight, but, for the moment, all eyes were on Europe and the end of a nightmarish bloodbath.

Below I post some headlines from three religious papers, one each from the United Church, the Anglican Church, and the Presbyterians.

I also post a few pages from the Toronto Daily Star that include advertisements from two of Canada's largest department stores, Simpsons and Eatons (sadly, both are now defunct). My grandfather had saved these papers in an old suitcase, and I ended up unfolding them hanging them in my office at work.

What I find interesting is that the commentary in the religious press and the secular press is basically the same. On fact, the imagery of a crusading knight juxtaposed with a Canadian soldier, the invoking of crusading language, and mention of prayer, along with quotations from Judeo/Christian scriptures was something normal in that day (but certainly not to be seen in the Toronto Star today!).

I provide these images as a means of time travel back to a week of joyous celebrations, and also a way of remembering and honouring those who made victory possible.