Announcing intentions to rename Veterans Day, Donald Trump said Americans should start “celebrating our victories again.”
Emphasizing the significance of the United States acknowledging its military achievements, Trump suggested changing Veterans Day to “victory day for World War I” in a post on Truth Social late Thursday.
We never celebrate anything; we won both wars; nobody matched us in military prowess, bravery, or strength, Trump said. Nothing or nobody is ever celebrated here. He promised to bring back the celebration of successes and attacked present leaders for not honouring accomplishments.
Apart from renaming Veterans Day, Trump also suggested renaming Victory in Europe Day, observed on May 8 to honour the Allied triumph over Nazi Germany, under the name “victory in World War II Day.” “We did more than any other country, by far, in producing a victorious result in World War II,” he said, stressing the need for this change in order to fairly assess the major achievements the United States of America made during that war.
Although Trump’s comments might appeal to his base of followers, the idea to rename Veterans Day has generated doubts from many directions. Given the rich legacy of the holiday, many people find the choice confusing, claims Politico.
Originally set aside in 1919 to mark the end of World War I, Armistice Day was But in the 1950s, the holiday was extended to honor United States veterans of all wars—including World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and more recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Celebrated as a sombre event, Soldiers Day pays tribute to the sacrifices American men have made over history. The US government officially declared it a public holiday in 1968. Officially, the United States of America government has admitted this.
After World War II ended hostilities in Europe, the United States of America did not celebrate the occasion with a May 8 holiday. This was carried out to prevent more uncertainty or ambiguity. Conversely, this day was notable since it marked the day the war was at last ending. Still, it is often known as Victory in Europe Day. Officially ending for the United States many months later, in September 1945, the war followed Japan’s capitulation following the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Particularly from countries like Russia, Trump’s claim that America “did more than any other country” in reaching victory during World War II might cause primary worldwide debate. Russia honours its World War II efforts as the “Great Patriotic War,” stressing significant losses: on the Eastern Front, around 9 million men and almost 19 million civilians died. Germany’s bombing attacks caused great destruction in the United Kingdom at the same time.
Beyond simple renaming, Trump’s ideas reflect a larger discussion on national pride and historical memory in the United States. These conversations could also affect opinions among Americans about the U.S. Stock Market and more general economic situation as they develop.