Photo: Alamy | Op-ed by Summer Lane
In early May, President Donald Trump declared that he would designate a special day this month to commemorate Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), instilling a sense of national pride in Americans everywhere as they reflect on the history of such a significant moment and the contribution that U.S. patriots made to achieve it.
“Many of our allies and friends are celebrating May 8th as Victory Day, but we did more than any other Country, by far, in producing a victorious result on World War II. I am hereby renaming May 8th as Victory Day for World War II and November 11th as Victory Day for World War I,” the president previously wrote on Truth Social.
But what is VE Day, and why should Americans be concerned with celebrating it?
VE Day signifies the impactful moment when years of war against Germany initially came to an end in Europe, following the surrender of Hitler’s regime, after his suicide on April 30, 1945.
Although the war with Japan did not end until several months later, it was still a significant step because it signaled the coming resolution to the global conflict that had forced the United States to take action to defend the Western world.
It is, in fact, America’s contribution to this war effort that President Trump is proudly highlighting – as he should. The United States’ entrance into World War II stayed the hand of the Nazi regime and gave European forces the boost they needed to hold the line.
“As we commemorate Victory Day for World War II, we offer our unending thanks to every patriot from the Greatest Generation who left behind his home and family to fight for our freedom in distant lands,” the president wrote in his May 8 proclamation. “We honor the memories of all those who perished. Above all, we renew our commitment to keeping America and the entire world safe, secure, prosperous, and free.”
While discussing the impact of winning World War I and World War II, Trump explained in an earlier Truth Social statement that the national lack of celebration regarding these important moments was due to a lack of leadership.
“We won both Wars, nobody was close to us in terms of strength, bravery, or military brilliance, but we never celebrate anything — That’s because we don’t have leaders anymore, that know how to do so! We are going to start celebrating our victories again!” he wrote.
Commemorating May 8 as “Victory Day for World War II” is a way of remembering the important contribution that the United States has made to global history and how positively this country has impacted the course of politics and the preservation of Western ideals worldwide.
