US to celebrate “Victory Day for WWII” as Europe commemorates VE Day
Daily News Article — Posted on May 7, 2025
“Many of our allies and friends are celebrating May 8th as Victory Day, but we did more than any other Country, by far, in producing a victorious result on World War II. I am hereby renaming May 8th as Victory Day for World War II and November 11th as Victory Day for World War I. 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! – Donald Trump, TruthSocial, May 1
On May 7, 1945, the Germans surrendered to the Allied Forces, and agreed to cease all operations the next day.
World War II officially ended later in the year on Sept. 2 when the Japanese signed an instrument of surrender, though Japan waved a white flag on Aug. 14 – about a week after the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
The U.S. does not have any public holidays commemorating World War II specifically, [although] there have been [some] local military remembrance ceremonies in May, August and September across the country for decades.
Former President Harry Truman, who was in office during the end of WWII, issued a proclamation in August 1946 declaring Aug. 14 as “Victory Over Japan Day” [which is known today as the meaningless name VJ Day].
“And I call upon the people of the United States to observe Victory Day as a day of solemn commemoration of the devotion of the men and women by whose sacrifices victory was achieved, and as a day of prayer and of high resolve that the cause of justice, freedom, peace, and international good-will shall be advanced with undiminished and unremitting efforts, inspired by the valor of our heroes of the Armed Services,” Truman’s proclamation read, in part.
In President Trump’s post, he stated that Nov. 11 will also be recognized as World War I “Victory Day.”
“We won both Wars, nobody was close to us in terms of strength, bravery, or military brilliance, but we never celebrate anything,” the president wrote. “That’s because we don’t have leaders anymore, that know how to do so! We are going to start celebrating our victories again!”
Following this initial proclamation last week, the president followed up with a second post to TruthSocial:
Wednesday afternoon, President Trump issued a presidential proclamation declaring May 8 “Victory Day for WWII” which reads:
A PROCLAMATION (BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA)
Today, our Nation proudly commemorates the 80th anniversary of the Allied Powers’ triumph over national socialism and fascism, and the end of World War II in Europe — one of the most epic victories for forces of freedom in the history of the world. On this Victory Day for World War II, we celebrate the unmatched might, strength, and power of the American Armed Forces, and we commit to protecting our sacred birthright of liberty against all threats, foreign and domestic.
In the wake of the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States righteously entered the fray of what would become the apex of the eternal battle between good and evil.
After nearly 4 years of the darkest and bloodiest chapters ever recorded in human history, more than 250,000 Americans lost their lives in the fight against the Nazi regime.
Today and every day, we pay tribute to all those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their Nation, their liberty, and the survival of Western civilization. Without the sacrifice of our American soldiers, this war would not have been won, and our world today would look drastically different.
May 8, 1945 marks the Allies’ acceptance of Germany’s unconditional surrender — the beginning of the end of years of long, gruesome, and brutal warfare. The millions of souls senselessly lost serve as a reminder of why we must pursue peace through strength.
I remain steadfastly devoted to stopping the years of endless foreign wars and preventing the further loss of lives. As I stated during my Inaugural Address, we will measure our success not only by the battles we win but also by the wars we end — and my proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker.
As we commemorate Victory Day for World War II, we offer our unending thanks to every patriot from the Greatest Generation who left behind his home and family to fight for our freedom in distant lands. We honor the memories of all those who perished. Above all, we renew our commitment to keeping America and the entire world safe, secure, prosperous, and free.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 8, 2025, as a day in celebration of Victory Day for World War II.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventh day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty‑five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.
DONALD J. TRUMP
Background
What Is Victory in Europe Day?
Victory in Europe Day, also known as VE Day, celebrates the day Germany formally surrendered its military forces to the Allies of World War II—including the United Kingdom, the United States, the Soviet Union and France—in 1945 following nearly six years of conflict.
The unconditional surrender of Germany’s forces did not mark the end of the conflict, however, which continued in the Pacific for a further three months and included the atomic bombings of both Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan.
Though some in the United States celebrate VE Day (usually by a wreath laying ceremony at a military cemetery), it is not a federal holiday and is more widely observed in Europe.
In the UK, Victory Day is commemorated with two minutes of silence across the country.
In Russia, Victory Day is observed on May 9 to mark Moscow’s defeat of Nazi Germany during World War II, also known in Russia as the “Great Patriotic War.” It is one of the most important holidays of the year for Russians, and to mark the occasion this year, Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared a unilateral 72-hour cease-fire with Ukraine on “humanitarian grounds.” The truce is set to run from May 8 to the end of May 10.
Visit the U.S. Department of Defense page detailing Nazi Germany's surrender.
How many federal holidays are there in the U.S.?
The government generally recognizes 11 federal holidays, according to the Department of Commerce:
- New Year’s Day: January 1
- Martin Luther King’s Birthday: Third Monday in January
- Washington’s Birthday: Third Monday in February
- Memorial Day: Last Monday in May
- Juneteenth National Independence Day: June 19
- Independence Day: July 4
- Labor Day: First Monday in September
- Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Second Monday in October
- Veterans’ Day: November 11
- Thanksgiving Day: Fourth Thursday in November
- Christmas Day: December 25