Trump: America has saved the world twice, and it’s time to celebrate
2 May 08:56
Donald Trump has declared the US victory in two world wars and proposed renaming the holidays. The American leader, who is in his second presidential term, has taken an initiative that has caused a wide public outcry: he has announced his intention to rename two key national holidays in the United States to commemorate the victories in World War I and World War II, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports citing Politico.
Instead of Veterans Day, which is traditionally celebrated on November 11, Trump proposed to establish “Victory Day in World War I,” and to recognize May 8 as “Victory Day in World War II.” According to him, it was the United States that made a decisive contribution to both victories, and this should be officially recognized at the level of state memory.
“America saved the world twice, and it’s time to stop humiliating ourselves in history. We will be proud of that,” Trump said at a press conference in Washington.
This initiative fits into a broader ideological framework – Trump is promoting the concept of “America’s Golden Age,” which emphasizes national greatness, historical superiority, and domestic sovereignty. This is the second attempt by his administration to change the system of historical holidays: in 2020-2021, Trump proposed rewriting US history textbooks, accusing his predecessors of “undermining patriotism.”
Internal controversy and criticism
The proposal drew sharp criticism from the opposition, veterans, historians, and diplomats. One of the most common arguments is that such steps distort the collective memory of the global war, where the sacrifices and efforts of the allies (Britain, the USSR, France, Canada, China, etc.) were no less significant.
According to some American historians, Trump’s initiative creates a false impression that the United States won in isolation, without the help of an international coalition. This could undermine the reputation of the United States as a member of multilateral alliances and weaken diplomatic relations, especially with Europe and the countries of the former Soviet Union.
International reaction
After the first publications about the initiative in the international press, representatives of the British and French embassies reacted with restraint but caution. Historical policy is a sensitive instrument, especially in the context of World War II, and an attempt to rewrite symbols could provoke retaliatory steps or political cooling.
Analysts say that Trump’s initiative is not just about the holidays. It is a continuation of the struggle for the interpretation of history and a way to strengthen the ideological core of his electorate. Officially recognizing the United States as the main victor in world wars is part of a nationalist course that prioritizes the American vision of history, even if it conflicts with international facts.
The issue of renaming has not yet been approved by Congress and will spark a broad public debate. But one thing is already clear: Trump does not intend to abandon his course of ideological reformatting of the country.
It is worth noting that the world celebrates key dates related to the First and Second World Wars in different ways, depending on the historical context, national narrative, and political tradition.
World War I
november 11 – Armistice Day / Memorial Day / Veterans Day (USA).
In the UK, France, Belgium, Canada and other Commonwealth countries , this day is known as Remembrance Day. A minute of silence is observed at 11:00. People wear red poppies as a symbol of the memory of the fallen.
USA. It is celebrated as Veterans Day, but with an emphasis not only on the First World War, but on all veterans.
Germany. november 11 is not a day of national mourning. The memory of the dead is officially commemorated on Volkstrauertag, one of the Sundays in November.
Central and Eastern Europe. In most countries – Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Poland – the emphasis is not on the date of November 11, but on national memorial days associated with the collapse of empires and the achievement of independence.
World War II
may 8 – Victory in Europe Day (VE Day).
Western Europe and the United States. may 8, 1945 is considered the date of the surrender of Nazi Germany. In the United Kingdom, France, Canada, and the United States, it is Victory in Europe Day (VE Day).
In France, it is a public holiday, and in the UK, it is a memorial date (the 75th anniversary was celebrated in 2020).
may 9 is Victory Day (in post-Soviet countries).
Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and other former Soviet republics:
Victory Day is celebrated on May 9. The date was chosen according to Moscow time, when the surrender was ratified late in the evening of May 8.
Format: parades, laying of wreaths, speeches by leaders, state rhetoric.
Ukraine. Until 2015, May 9 remained an official holiday. Now, May 8 is celebrated as the Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation, and since 2024, the Day of Victory over Nazism in the European format.
