Latest news with #VictoryDayforWorldWarI
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump says he wants to change name of Veterans Day: Here's what he wants to call it
President Donald Trump wants to rename Veterans Day to "Victory Day for World War I" as a way to celebrate the United States' military victories, he said in a social media post on May 1. He also said he's pushing to recognize May 8 as "Victory Day for World War II." "We are going to start celebrating our victories again!" Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social. Veterans Day is a federal holiday recognized each year on Nov. 11. It marks the date when fighting ceased in World War I, though it also generally honors American veterans for their willingness to serve, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. May 8 is not a federal holiday in the United States, though it is recognized as Victory in Europe Day in several European countries. Trump said on social media that he's pushing to rename Veterans Day and to formally recognize May 8 in the United States as a way to acknowledge Americans' efforts in World Wars I and II. "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!" he wrote on Truth Social. Federal holidays − including their names − are created through the legislative process in Congress. Technically, federal holidays are applicable only to federal employees and the District of Columbia, meaning states individually determine their legal holidays, according to the Congressional Research news: After 100 days, one thing is clear: The stock market is leery of Trump's tariffs Veterans Day is one of the 11 federal holidays observed in the United States each year, according to the Office of Personnel Management. The day recognizes the end of fighting in World War I, according to the VA. Though the war between Germany and the Allied Powers officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919, fighting ended seven months earlier on Nov. 11, 1918, according to the VA. Because of the significance of the date, Veterans Day falls on Nov. 11 regardless of the day of the week. In addition to recognizing the end of fighting in World War I, it also serves as a general celebration of America's veterans, according to the VA. Nov. 11 was first made a federal holiday in 1938 and was known as Armistice Day until 1954, when Congress renamed it Veterans Day, according to the VA. Though Trump said he's pushing to make May 8 a holiday, the date is not federally recognized in the United States. It generally marks Victory in Europe Day, when Germany's military sources surrendered to the Allies, including the United States, in World War II, according to the Department of Defense. Melina Khan is a trending reporter covering national news for USA TODAY. She can be reached at MKhan@ This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Trump wants to rename Veterans Day to 'Victory Day for World War I'
USA Today
09-05-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
Veterans Day could get a new name under Trump. Here's what it could be
Veterans Day could get a new name under Trump. Here's what it could be Show Caption Hide Caption 'May Day' protests push back against Trump administration policies "May Day" protesters across the U.S. rallied against President Donald Trump's policies and billionaire Elon Musk's influence over the White House. President Donald Trump wants to rename Veterans Day to "Victory Day for World War I" as a way to celebrate the United States' military victories, he said in a social media post on May 1. He also said he's pushing to recognize May 8 as "Victory Day for World War II." "We are going to start celebrating our victories again!" Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social. Veterans Day is a federal holiday recognized each year on Nov. 11. It marks the date when fighting ceased in World War I, though it also generally honors American veterans for their willingness to serve, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. May 8 is not a federal holiday in the United States, though it is recognized as Victory in Europe Day in several European countries. Why does Trump want to rename Veterans Day? Trump said on social media that he's pushing to rename Veterans Day and to formally recognize May 8 in the United States as a way to acknowledge Americans' efforts in World Wars I and II. "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!" he wrote on Truth Social. Federal holidays − including their names − are created through the legislative process in Congress. Technically, federal holidays are applicable only to federal employees and the District of Columbia, meaning states individually determine their legal holidays, according to the Congressional Research Service. What the Trump administration means for your identity: Sign up for USA TODAY's This is America newsletter. More news: After 100 days, one thing is clear: The stock market is leery of Trump's tariffs What does Veterans Day recognize? Veterans Day is one of the 11 federal holidays observed in the United States each year, according to the Office of Personnel Management. The day recognizes the end of fighting in World War I, according to the VA. Though the war between Germany and the Allied Powers officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919, fighting ended seven months earlier on Nov. 11, 1918, according to the VA. Because of the significance of the date, Veterans Day falls on Nov. 11 regardless of the day of the week. In addition to recognizing the end of fighting in World War I, it also serves as a general celebration of America's veterans, according to the VA. Nov. 11 was first made a federal holiday in 1938 and was known as Armistice Day until 1954, when Congress renamed it Veterans Day, according to the VA. What is Victory Day? Does the United States recognize May 8 as a holiday? Though Trump said he's pushing to make May 8 a holiday, the date is not federally recognized in the United States. It generally marks Victory in Europe Day, when Germany's military sources surrendered to the Allies, including the United States, in World War II, according to the Department of Defense. Melina Khan is a trending reporter covering national news for USA TODAY. She can be reached at MKhan@
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
CNY vets disagree with POTUS renaming Veterans Day
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — Local veterans are speaking out, after President Trump announced he would be renaming Veterans Day as 'Victory Day for World War I.' 'I don't agree on him changing that,' said Dan DiFlorio, a Vietnam veteran. 'I don't believe that it should be done,' said Charles Johnson, a Navy veteran and who retired from the US Army Corps of Engineers. 'I'm totally against it,' said Richard Madden, a Vietnam veteran. The president made the announcement just last week. 'I think that's probably the dumbest idea that I've ever heard from that man today. I think it's incredibly insulting to the rest of the veterans in our country,' said Madden. The federal holiday, which is observed annually on November 11 is a day to honor all veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. Veterans Day was initially known as Armistice Day. It was renamed in 1954. 'It's not a victory. It's Veterans Day, and that encompasses all veterans. Whether they were World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, all of them,' said Johnson. But not all veterans are against the president renaming Veterans Day. 'I don't have a problem with it. Memorial Day was originally to memorialize the veterans of the Civil War, that's largely been forgotten about,' said Reg Ameele, an Air National Guard veteran. President Trump also says he wants to celebrate May 8 as 'Victory Day for World War II.' 'I don't agree with that. I just don't agree with it. I want to just keep it the way it is, where we all are going to be all one,' said DiFlorio. The White House is now saying Veterans Day will not be renamed. Instead, it will be an added proclamation, that will go out the same day. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
03-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Army plan for potential parade on Trump's birthday includes "thousands" of troops, says defense official
The Army is planning for a potential military parade on President Trump's birthday on June 14 that would include "thousands" of troops, as well and Bradley and Stryker fighting vehicles, the White House and a defense official confirmed. According to planning documents obtained by the AP, the parade calls for over 6,600 soldiers, at least 150 vehicles, 50 helicopters, tanks, seven bands and possibly a couple thousand civilians. The documents, dated April 29 and 30, have not been publicly released. They represent the Army's most recent blueprint for its long-planned 250th anniversary festival on the National Mall and the newly added element — a large military parade that Mr. Trump has long wanted. The Army anniversary coincides with Mr. Trump's 79th birthday, which falls on June 14. A parade of this size is likely to cost tens of millions of dollars. The price would include moving the military vehicles, equipment, aircraft and troops from across the country to Washington, D.C., and the need to feed and house thousands of service members. High costs halted Mr. Trump's push for a parade in his first term, and the tanks and other heavy vehicles that are part of the Army's latest plans have raised concerns from city officials about damage to roads. Asked about plans for a parade, Army spokesman Steve Warren said Thursday that no final decisions have been made. Col. Dave Butler, another Army spokesman, said the Army is excited about the plans for its anniversary. "We want to make it into an event that the entire nation can celebrate with us," said Butler. "We want Americans to know their Army and their soldiers. A parade might become part of that, and we think that will be an excellent addition to what we already have planned." Others familiar with the documents, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the plans have not been finalized, said they represent the Army's plans as it prepares for any White House approval of the parade. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. There has been no formal approval yet. Changes to the plans have been made in recent weeks and more are likely. Much of the equipment would have to be brought in by train or flown in. Mr. Trump weighed in on the military Thursday night, though he didn't mention plans for June 14. Writing on Truth Social, Mr. Trump said, "We are going to start celebrating our victories again!" He said he would rename May 8 — known as Victory in Europe Day — as "Victory Day for World War II" and change Veterans Day, on Nov. 11, to "Victory Day for World War I." Some equipment and troops were already going to be included in the Army's birthday celebration, which has been in the works for more than a year. The festival was set to involve activities and displays on the National Mall, including a fitness competition, climbing wall, armored vehicles, Humvees, helicopters and other equipment. A parade, however, would increase the equipment and troops involved. According to the plans, as many as 6,300 of the service members would be marching in the parade, while the remainder would be responsible for other tasks and support. The Army's early festival plans did not include a parade, but officials confirmed last month that the Army had started discussions about adding one. The plans say the parade would showcase the Army's 250 years of service and foresee bringing in soldiers from at least 11 corps and divisions nationwide. Those could include a Stryker battalion with two companies of Stryker vehicles, a tank battalion and two companies of tanks, an infantry battalion with Bradley vehicles, Paladin artillery vehicles, Howitzers and infantry vehicles. There would be seven Army bands and a parachute jump by the Golden Knights. And documents suggest that civilian participants would include historical vehicles and aircraft and two bands, along with people from veterans groups, military colleges and reenactor organizations. According to the plan, the parade would be classified as a national special security event, and that request has been submitted by the National Park Service and is under review. And it is expected that the evening parade would be followed by a concert and fireworks. One of the documents raises concerns about some limitations, which include where troops would be housed and "significant concerns regarding security requirements" as equipment flows into the city. It says the biggest unknown so far is which units would be participating. In his first term, Trump proposed having a parade after seeing one in France on Bastille Day in 2017. Mr. Trump said that after watching the two-hour procession along the famed Champs-Elysees that he wanted an even grander one on Pennsylvania Avenue. That plan was ultimately dumped due to the huge costs — with one estimate of a $92 million price tag — and other logistical issues. Among those were objections from city officials who said including tanks and other heavy armored vehicles would tear up the roads. Trump said in a social media post in 2018 that he was canceling the event over the costs and accused local politicians of price gouging. This year, as plans progressed for the Army to host its birthday festival in Washington, talk about a parade began anew. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser acknowledged in April that the administration reached out to the city about holding a parade on June 14 that would stretch from Arlington, Virginia, where the Pentagon and Arlington National Cemetery are located, across the Potomac River and into Washington. Bowser at the time said she didn't know if the event was being "characterized as a military parade" but added that tanks rolling through the city's streets "would not be good." "If military tanks were used, they should be accompanied with many millions of dollars to repair the roads," she said. In 2018, the Pentagon appeared to agree. A memo from the defense secretary's staff said plans for the parade — at that time — would include only wheeled vehicles and no tanks to minimize damage to local infrastructure. contributed to this report.
02-05-2025
- Politics
Trump says he'll rename Veterans Day
President Donald Trump said in a social media post that he is renaming Veterans Day, which is on Nov. 11, as "Victory Day for World War I" and May 8 as "Victory Day for World War II.'
