President Donald Trump announced plans Thursday to designate May 8 as “V-E Day” in World War II in the United States, coinciding with “V-E Day,” which has been celebrated in most of Europe since the Germans surrendered in 1945.
Trump acknowledged the social truth that “many of our allies and friends” already celebrate May 8, but said the United States should join in because “we did more than any other country, by far, in producing a victorious result.”
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File: President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day on May 8, 2020. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
On May 7, 1945, the Germans surrendered to the Allied forces and agreed to cease all operations the following day.
World War II officially ended later that year on September 2 when the Japanese signed an instrument of surrender, although Japan waved a white flag on August 14, about a week after the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
The United States does not have a holiday specifically commemorating World War II, but remembrance ceremonies have been held in May, August, and September across the country for decades.
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Former President Harry Truman, who was in office during the end of World War II, issued a proclamation in August 1946 declaring August 14 as “Victory over Japan Day.”
President Harry S. Truman congratulates Hershel “Woody” Williams upon receiving the Medal of Honor in October 1945 for his actions during the Battle of Iwo Jima. (Courtesy of the U.S. Department of Defense)
“And I call upon the people of the United States to observe VE 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 high resolve that the cause of justice, liberty, and international goodwill will be advanced by unswerving and unfaltering effort, inspired by the valor of our heroes of the armed services,” Truman ‘s proclamation reads, in part.
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In the same post, Trump declared that November 11 would also be recognized as “V-Day” for World War I.
American troops on the front northeast of St. Mihiel, France, cheer after hearing the news that the armistice has been signed, ending World War I in November 1918. (AP)
“We won both wars. No one came close to us in terms of strength, bravery, or military brilliance. Yet we never celebrated anything,” the president wrote. “That’s because we no longer have leaders who know how! Let’s start celebrating our victories again!”
