US President Donald Trump has announced plans to rename two major remembrance dates to recognize America’s role in winning the World Wars.
The proposal, shared on his Truth Social platform, would change Veterans Day to “Victory Day for World War I” and designate May 8 as “Victory Day for World War II.”
Trump made the statement in a late-night social media post but has not issued any executive order to make the changes official. Whether May 8 will become a federal holiday remains uncertain, as only Congress has the authority to establish national holidays.
The proposed changes focus on two key historical events: the end of World War I on November 11, 1918, and Germany’s surrender on May 8, 1945, which marked the end of World War II in Europe. Trump said America deserves more recognition for its efforts and sacrifices in both wars and expressed frustration that these military victories are not properly honored.
The president argued that other countries such as the UK, France, and Canada actively celebrate VE Day each year, while the US tends to downplay its success. In his post, he insisted that the US played the most important role in securing victory and called for a renewed focus on celebrating those achievements.
VE Day, short for Victory in Europe Day, is widely commemorated abroad. This year marks 80 years since the formal end of WWII in Europe. Trump’s idea to give the day new significance in the US could provoke criticism, particularly from Russia. The country celebrates its own version of the event, called Victory Day, on May 9 with large military parades and widespread public observance. Russia views the defeat of Nazi Germany as one of its most important historical milestones, having lost approximately 27 million people during the war.
According to the US National WWII Museum, over 418,000 Americans died in WWII, most of them serving in the armed forces. While the war in Europe ended in May 1945, the US remained engaged in the Pacific until Japan’s surrender in August later that year.
In the US, November 11 is currently recognized as Veterans Day. Originally called Armistice Day, it was created to honor the end of WWI. After World War II and the Korean War, the day was renamed to pay tribute to all military veterans. Memorial Day, celebrated in May, remains the day set aside to remember those who died in combat.
Trump has long expressed a desire to hold military parades to honor American troops. While he has not outlined how the proposed “Victory Days” would be celebrated, his earlier comments suggest he may favor public displays of military strength. Reports also suggest that the US Army is preparing a parade for its birthday on June 14, which coincides with Trump’s own birthday.
The proposal comes during a year of important historical milestones, including the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Whether Trump’s ideas gain support in Congress or among the public remains to be seen. For now, they reflect his broader push to reshape how the US commemorates its military past.