Former U
S. President Donald Trump has sparked a new controversy in American society by announcing major changes to the official celebrations related to the country’s historic military victories. On his social media page, Truth Social, he expressed his intention to introduce new dates for commemorating two of the United States’ key international victories—the wars of World War I and World War II. According to his statement, May 8 will become the official Victory Day in World War II in the United States, and starting from 2024, this day will be designated as a national holiday to be celebrated annually across the country. Trump added that this decision is supported by historical arguments, asserting that the U.S. contributed “much more” to victory in World War II than any other nation. At the same time, within the framework of this new concept, November 11 will be officially proclaimed as Victory Day in World War I. This date is observed in many countries as Veterans Day or Remembrance Day, but in the U.S., according to the former leader, it will gain greater significance and become a day of honoring both the shared victory and the heroism of the American military during the conflict. In his address, Trump noted that many other nations already traditionally mark May 8 as Victory Day, but the United States has a special historical and moral right to celebrate this date with pride. He emphasized that the U.S. has done and continues to do more to defeat Nazism in Europe than anyone else, and that these historical achievements deserve proper recognition and commemoration. Simultaneously, the former president directly commented on the mood in modern America, observing that the country has lost the skills and ability to celebrate its victories due to changes in the political and leadership environment. According to him, in the past, the U.S. had strong and inspiring leaders who knew how to organize victory celebrations, boost patriotism, and foster pride in the national history. “Nowadays, such leaders are absent, which is why proper celebratory events are missing,” Trump stated. He called on Americans to once again value their history and to celebrate military achievements, believing that pride in the past should motivate future generations. “We will start celebrating our victories again!” the former U.S. president emphasized, adding that this is an important step toward restoring national unity and patriotic spirit. Thus, Trump’s new initiative has sparked lively discussions in society, elicited varied reactions from political circles and the public. Most experts agree that this decision aims to strengthen patriotic sentiments and revive historical values, but it has also faced criticism regarding possible political motives and the appropriateness of such changes within modern international and domestic contexts. Regardless, the question of how to relate to historical dates remains relevant in broader debates about national identity and memory.