President Donald Trump talks with dignitaries after speaking at the World War I armistice centennial ceremony Nov. 11, 2018, at Suresnes American Cemetery on the outskirts of Paris. Trump said May 1, 2025, that he wants to change the name Veterans Day, which the U.S. observes on Nov. 11, to “Victory Day for World War I." (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
President Donald Trump wants to change the name of Veterans Day to “Victory Day for World War I,” saying it would better highlight American military achievement.
In a late-night post Thursday on Truth Social, Trump also said he would make May 8 “Victory Day for World War II.” The war ended in Europe on May 8, 1945, and on Sept. 2 that same year in the Pacific.
“We won both Wars, nobody was close to us in terms of strength, bravery, or military brilliance, but we never celebrate anything,” Trump said. “That’s because we don’t have leaders anymore, that know how to do so! We are going to start celebrating our victories again!”
Trump did not say whether he intends to designate May 8 as a new federal holiday, which would require approval by Congress.
Veterans Day, celebrated on Nov. 11, was established in 1938 as Armistice Day.
It was broadened in 1954 to honor Americans who fought in World War II and the Korean War. Congress that year passed legislation to change the name of the holiday to Veterans Day. The bill was signed into law by President Dwight Eisenhower.
It was made a federal holiday in 1968, and in the years since, veterans of subsequent wars have been honored on that day.
President Donald Trump watches the color guard exit after speaking at the World War I armistice centennial ceremony Nov. 11, 2018, at Suresnes American Cemetery on the outskirts of Paris. The U.S. holiday on Nov. 11 is known as Veterans Day, but Trump said May 1, 2025, that he wants to rename it “Victory Day for World War I." (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Across Europe, countries will celebrate V-E Day on May 8, marking 80 years since the end of WWII in Europe.
Some 416,000 U.S. troops died across theaters during WWII, according to the National World War II Museum.
The Soviet Union also lost roughly 10 million troops in combat during the war. The defeat of Nazi Germany is celebrated on May 9 in Russia.
