Athens, Ga. – The University of Georgia’s three special collections libraries are joining forces to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day and the conclusion of World War II in Europe May 7.
The event, set for 3:30 p.m. at the Richard B. Russell Building Special Collections Libraries, 300 S. Hull St., will include:
• A presentation by University Archivist Emeritus Steven Brown about the mobilization of the university and the transformation of the campus to wartime footing. (Campus buildings were renamed after U.S. warships for the duration of the conflict.)
• Footage of World War II and V-E Day from Brown Media Archives.
• Excerpts from oral histories collected by the Richard B. Russell Library’s First Person Project.
• A panel discussion featuring the accounts of Hal Cofer, Claude Williams and other Athens-area World War II veterans.
A reception will follow. All events are open free to the public.