Trump Plans to Rename Veterans Day as ‘Victory Day for World War I’

A Bold Rename Proposal

President Donald Trump revealed plans on Thursday to rename Veterans Day, observed each year on November 11, as “Victory Day for World War I” and to designate May 8, widely recognized as V-E Day, as “Victory Day for World War II.”

The announcement aims to spotlight America’s triumphs in the two world wars.

“We won both Wars, nobody was close to us in terms of strength, bravery, or military brilliance, but we never celebrate anything,” Trump said in a Truth Social post. “We are going to start celebrating our victories again!”

The proposal, which has not been formalized with an executive order, leaves unclear whether May 8 would become a federal holiday like Veterans Day.

The power to establish or amend federal holidays rests with Congress.

Trump pointed to V-E Day celebrations by allies like Britain, France, and Canada, stating, “We did more than any other Country, by far, in producing a victorious result on World War II.”

Background of the Holidays

Originally known as Armistice Day to mark the end of World War I, Veterans Day was redefined in the 1950s to honor all U.S. military veterans, encompassing those who served in World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam, the Gulf War, and conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Memorial Day, held on the last Monday in May, is dedicated to those who died in service.

May 8 commemorates Nazi Germany’s surrender in 1945, known as V-E Day, though U.S. forces continued battling Japan until September 1945. Unlike Veterans Day, V-E Day is not a federal holiday.

Global Reactions and Context

Trump’s claim that the U.S. outdid all nations in securing World War II victory may face pushback, especially from Russia, where May 9 is celebrated as Victory Day to honor 27 million Soviet losses.

The United Kingdom also suffered heavily from German bombings.

While Trump has not specified celebration plans, he has previously advocated for military parades in Washington.