Payam Javan: President Donald Trump has declared national holidays to commemorate America’s victories in World War I and World War II, designating November 11, 1918, as the Victory Day for World War I and May 8, 1945, as the Victory Day for World War II. In a Truth Social post, Trump emphasized the United States’ pivotal role in securing these victories, criticizing the lack of national celebration compared to other Allied nations. He clarified that these holidays will not involve closing the country, citing an already high number of holidays and the nation’s work ethic, with further documentation to follow.

The announcement builds on Trump’s earlier proposal to rename Veterans Day, currently observed on November 11, as “Victory Day for World War I” and to recognize May 8 as “Victory Day for World War II,” coinciding with Victory in Europe (V-E) Day. While Veterans Day, originally Armistice Day, honors World War I veterans and promotes peace, V-E Day marks Germany’s surrender in 1945 and is widely celebrated in Europe but not as a U.S. federal holiday. The initiative aims to celebrate American military triumphs, though it does not address Victory over Japan (V-J) Day, which marks the end of World War II on September 2, 1945.