Continental drift

"A world undone. For the first time in six years, floodlights cast shadows across London's streets, brightly illuminating Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square, the great clock at Westminster and Buckingham Palace. The brilliance of the White Ensign, the Union Flag and the Blue Ensign on the Cenotaph contrasted with the grime-caked stones behind, a continuing reminder of Britain's industrial revolution. Despite the lateness of the hour, crowds still converged around the great monuments and bonfires burned in many of London's open spaces, more than a few with effigies of Hitler sitting on top. The bells of churches across the capital continued to ring, competing with the sporadic fireworks and making sleep impossible, even if it were desired"--