President Donald Trump made headlines by declaring the renaming of Veterans Day to ‘Victory Day for World War I,’ aiming to celebrate U.S. military victories.
In a recent post on Truth Social, Trump explained that this change was necessary to commemorate the unique sacrifices made by the U.S. in both World Wars. Additionally, he revealed plans to rename Victory in Europe Day, observed on May 8, as ‘Victory in World War II Day’ to acknowledge the exceptional contributions of the U.S. in achieving victory during that conflict.
The Rationale Behind the Renaming
Trump emphasized, ‘We emerged victorious in both Wars, surpassing all others in terms of strength, bravery, and military prowess. Yet, we have failed to properly celebrate our triumphs due to a lack of leadership. It’s time to rekindle our spirit of victory!’
The decision to rename Veterans Day came as a surprise to many. Originally known as Armistice Day following World War I to honor American veterans, the holiday was later expanded in the 1950s to commemorate all U.S. veterans, including those from World War II and the Korean War. Designated as a federal holiday in 1968, Veterans Day now pays tribute to servicemembers from various U.S. military engagements.
While May 8 marks the end of hostilities with Nazi Germany, the U.S. continued fighting against Japan until September 1945, culminating in Japan’s surrender after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Notably, Victory in Europe Day, unlike Veterans Day, is not recognized as a federal holiday.
The Global Response
Trump’s assertion that the U.S. played a pivotal role in securing victory during World War II may encounter opposition from nations like Russia, which highlights the significant sacrifices made by Soviet forces in what they term the ‘Great Patriotic War.’ With nearly 9 million Soviet military personnel and 19 million civilians perishing in the conflict against Nazi Germany, Russia and the United Kingdom endured substantial losses during the war.
By renaming Veterans Day to ‘Victory Day for World War I,’ Trump seeks to reignite national pride in U.S. military achievements and honor the sacrifices of past generations.
