President Trump on Thursday renamed Veterans Day “World War I Victory Day” on November 11th, and said it is widely known as VE Day, May 8th.
“We won both wars. No one was close to us in terms of strength, courage and military brilliance, but we never celebrated anything,” Trump said in a late-night post on the True Society. “We're starting to celebrate victory again!”
The announcement does not involve an executive order, and Trump did not say whether he intended it to be a federal holiday on May 8, like Veterans Day. The power to create and modify public holidays depends on the council.
Trump mentioned marking VE Day celebrations by American allies for this year's “winning in Europe.” “We did more than any other country,” he said. The alliance won in World War II.
This year's VE Day commemoration in Britain, France, Canada and other US allies marks 80 years since the end of the war in Europe after Germany's surrender.
Trump's claim that the US did more than any other country to defeat Nazi Germany could be contested in Russia. The day of Russia's victory, which aims to honor the 27 million Soviets who died in the war, is a national holiday and one of the most important days in the country's calendar.
Veterans Day was originally called the United States Armistice Day to mark the end of World War II. After World War II and the Korean War, it was renamed and its scope was expanded to honor all US veterans. The anniversary, which falls on the last Monday of May, honors those who have given life especially for the country.
In his post Thursday night, Trump did not elaborate on the specific celebrations he'd like to see over the last two days. He has previously expressed his desire to honor the military at events such as the Washington parade.
