Video above: Trump designates Thursday May 8 as ‘Victory Day’ for US to commemorate World War II
(NEXSTAR) — Earlier this year, President Donald Trump introduced two new national holidays, with one already celebrated. So, when is the next one?
It’s not far off, and it’s already marked on your calendar.
Trump explained on Truth Social in May that both holidays are meant to commemorate the ends of World Wars I and II.
“We won two World Wars, but we never took credit for it — Everyone else does!” Trump stated then. “Around the World, the Allies are commemorating the Victory we achieved in World War II. The only Country not celebrating is the United States of America, and we were the ones who made the Victory possible.”
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The first of those holidays, marking the end of World War II, was on May 8.
The upcoming one is just a few months away, on November 11. This day is already recognized as Veterans Day, which was declared a legal holiday in May 1938 to honor those who served in American wars and were discharged under honorable conditions.
Originally called Armistice Day, it paid tribute to World War I veterans. After World War II, it was renamed Veterans Day to acknowledge all U.S. veterans from every conflict. Countries such as Great Britain, France, Australia, and Canada also commemorate their World War I and World War II veterans on or around November 11.
Trump initially proposed renaming Veterans Day to “Victory Day for World War I Day.” However, the following day, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified that Veterans Day would retain its name, and the new holiday would simply be an additional proclamation.
If you already enjoy a day off on November 11 for Veterans Day, that will continue. As a federal holiday, banks and government offices, among others, are closed for the day. However, if you don’t have the day off for Veterans Day, that will remain unchanged.
Trump previously said the country would not be closing for the two “very important Holidays” because “we already have too many Holidays in America — There are not enough days left in the year.”
The next holiday you’ll likely have off from work is Labor Day on September 1.
The Hill’s Sarah Fortinsky contributed to this report.
