By Paul A. Tenkotte, PhD

Special to NKyTribune

There was much to be thankful for in 1945.

On May 8th of that year, World War II in the European theater came to an official end. Americans celebrated VE Day (“Victory in Europe”), cautiously anticipating that full victory in the Asian theater would come soon. Three months later, in August 1945, VJ Day (Victory in Japan) arrived .

With World War II over and Americans soldiers returning home, celebrations blossomed on Thanksgiving Day in 1945 in Northern Kentucky.

The somber mood of the prior four years was replaced with gratitude for the work of Americans everywhere, both at home and abroad, in bringing an end to the most devastating world war in human history.

Pre-Thanksgiving festivals abounded. The Sisters of Notre Dame of Covingto

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