Updated November 11, 2026, 4:06 p.m. ET
President Donald Trump has apparently changed his mind about renaming Veterans Day.
More than a year after Trump first floated the idea of renaming Veterans Day to “WWI Victory Day” to celebrate America’s military victories, the president is referring to this year’s holiday, Wednesday, Nov. 11, as Veterans Day.
“Today, we are united in gratitude for the courage of our Airmen, Coast Guardsmen, Marines, Sailors, Soldiers and Guardians, and we thank the families who supported them in service to our country,” Trump said in a Tuesday, Nov. 10, proclamation.
Trump declared November 11, a holiday already recognized by the federal government, a “legal holiday.” Trump also called on officials and the American people to display the flag and participate in patriotic activities in their communities.
The president touted the administration’s work in the proclamation, listing the restructuring of the Department of Veterans Affairs as well as the National Center for Warrior Independence, a veterans support center based in West Los Angeles, among initiatives highlighted to help and care for the nation’s veterans.
Celebrated annually on November 11, Veterans Day marks the date fighting stopped during World War I and generally honors America’s veterans for their willingness to serve, according to the VA.
In addition to proposing the name change in a May 2025 Truth Social article, Trump also said he was pushing to recognize May 8 as “WWII Victory Day.” May 8 is not a federal holiday in the United States, although it is recognized as Victory in Europe Day in several European countries.
USA TODAY has reached out to the White House for comment.
What did Trump say about renaming Veterans Day?
Trump said in a May 2025 Truth Social article that he was pushing to rename Veterans Day to November 11 and to officially recognize May 8 in the United States as a way to recognize the efforts of Americans during World War I and World War II.
“We won both wars, no one was close to us in terms of strength, bravery or military genius, but we never celebrate anything. That’s because we no longer have leaders who know how to do it!” he wrote in the post.
Federal holidays – including their names – are created through the legislative process of Congress. Technically, federal holidays only apply to federal employees and the District of Columbia, meaning states individually determine their holidays, according to the Congressional Research Service.
What does Veterans Day recognize?
According to the Office of Personnel Management, Veterans Day is one of 11 federal holidays observed each year in the United States.
This day marks the end of the fighting in the First World War. Although 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 November 11, 1918, according to the VA.
Due to the significance of this date, Veterans Day falls on November 11, regardless of the day of the week. In addition to recognizing the end of World War I fighting, it also serves as a general celebration of America’s veterans, according to the VA.
November 11 first became a federal holiday in 1938 and was known as Armistice Day until 1954, when Congress renamed it Veterans Day.
What is Victory Day? Does the United States recognize May 8 as a public holiday?
Trump previously said he was pushing for May 8 to be a national holiday, although the date is not federally recognized in the United States.
According to the Ministry of Defense, it is usually Victory in Europe Day, when German military forces surrendered to the Allies, including the United States, during World War II.
What public holidays are left in 2026?
There are two federal holidays left in the year, after Veterans Day.
- Thanksgiving Day: Thursday November 26
- Christmas Day: Friday December 25
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