In early May 2025, President Donald Trump announced plans to rename Veterans Day, observed annually on November 11, to “Victory Day for World War I.”

He also proposed designating May 8 as “Victory Day for World War II,” aligning with the date of Nazi Germany’s surrender in Europe.

Trump argued that these changes would better commemorate U.S. military achievements, stating, “We won both wars, nobody was close to us in terms of strength, bravery, or military brilliance, but we never celebrate anything.”

The proposals were met with swift backlash from veterans’ organizations, historians, and political figures. Critics argued that renaming Veterans Day would overshadow the contributions of veterans from other conflicts and undermine the holiday’s purpose of honoring all who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. The Disabled American Veterans organization issued a one-word response: “No.”

Legal experts noted that the president lacks the authority to unilaterally rename federal holidays; such changes require congressional approval. Following the controversy, the White House clarified that Veterans Day would retain its name, and instead, additional proclamations would be issued to honor victories in World Wars I and II.

Veterans Day, originally known as Armistice Day, was established in 1938 to commemorate the end of World War I. In 1954, after World War II and the Korean War, it was renamed Veterans Day to honor all American veterans.

The incident highlights the sensitivities surrounding national commemorations and the importance of inclusive recognition for all who have served.

For further discussion on this topic, you may find the following video insightful: