ISTANBUL

US President Donald Trump announced late Thursday that the US will formally recognize May 8 as "Victory Day" in honor of World War II, aligning with Europe’s longstanding observance of Victory in Europe Day, or V-E Day.

"We did more than any other Country, by far, in producing a victorious result," Trump on social media, referencing America’s decisive role in defeating Nazi Germany during the global conflict.

"Many of our allies and friends already celebrate on May 8," he added. "We are going to start celebrating our victories again!"

May 8 marks the official end of hostilities in Europe in 1945, following Germany’s surrender to the Allied Forces on May 7.

While the war in the Pacific would continue until Japan’s surrender in September, much of Europe has treated May 8 as the symbolic end of World War II.

Trump also declared that Nov. 11 will be recognized as World War I "Victory Day," a move that places added emphasis on the centennial sacrifices made during that conflict.

The date already coincides with Veterans Day in the US, originally known as Armistice Day.

"We won both Wars, nobody was close to us in terms of strength, bravery, or military brilliance, but we never celebrate anything," Trump stated. "That’s because we don’t have leaders anymore, that know how to do so!"

Though the US does not currently hold a national holiday specifically commemorating its WWII victory, remembrance ceremonies occur regularly throughout May, August, and September.

In 1946, President Harry Truman issued a proclamation establishing Aug. 14 as "Victory Over Japan Day,” calling on Americans to honor those who "by whose sacrifices victory was achieved" and to reaffirm commitments to "justice, freedom, peace, and international good-will."

Trump’s announcement stands in stark contrast to several incidents reported by multiple aides to the president. In perhaps the best-known incident, in 2018, while visiting France during his first term, Trump refused to attend a memorial for fallen World War I soldiers, calling them “suckers” and “losers,” an incident confirmed by John Kelly, his then-chief of staff. Trump has denied the reports.

In 2015, on the campaign trail, Trump publicly said of Senator and decorated soldier John McCain, who fought in the Vietnam War and was held prisoner for five-and-a-half years: “He’s not a war hero. He was a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren’t captured.”

Trump himself was exempted from the Vietnam War draft due to a reported bone spur, a projection in his foot.

Trump has also repeatedly disparaged the post-World War II set of international alliances such as NATO, which was founded to ensure that nothing like the Nazi invasions of multiple countries could ever happen again.