Donald Trump Declares Two New Days of Celebration [View all]

Source: Newsweek

Published May 02, 2025 at 4:13 AM EDT


Donald Trump has declared May 8 as America's "Victory Day for World War II" and November 11 as "Victory Day for World War I."

"Many of our allies and friends are celebrating May 8 as Victory Day, but we did more than any other Country, by far, in producing a victorious result on World War II," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform on Thursday.

World War II European allies commemorate victory on May 8. Germany's unconditional surrender was signed late on that date in 1945. Russia commemorates victory on May 9 because of a time zone difference. "We won both Wars, nobody was close to us in terms of strength, bravery, or military brilliance, but we never celebrate anything—That's because we don't have leaders anymore, that know how to do so! We are going to start celebrating our victories again!" Newsweek contacted several military experts for comment via email on Friday.

The United States does not have a federal holiday specifically dedicated to commemorating World War II, but does observe related events through other national holidays. Veterans Day, observed on November 11, was originally known as Armistice Day to mark the end of World War I in 1918. Over time, it evolved into a day that honors all U.S. military veterans, including those who served in World War II

Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-declares-two-new-days-celebration-2067085

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Growing up, my mom always referred to November 11 as "Armistice Day" - 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. The holiday name was changed to Veteran's Day in 1954 (when she was 24 years old). Meaning it was STILL called "Armistice Day" until he was 8 years old.

What is now "Memorial Day" was once dubbed "Decoration Day" and was originally in reference to honoring the Civil War dead. The "official" federal renaming to "Memorial Day", happened in 1967.