President Donald Trump has seemingly changed his tune about possibly renaming Veterans Day.
More than a year after Trump first floated the idea of renaming Veterans Day to "Victory Day for World War I" as a way to celebrate the United States' military victories, the president is referring to this year's holiday on 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 have stood with them in their service to our country," Trump said in a Tuesday, Nov. 10, proclamation.
Trump declared Nov. 11, already a federally recognized holiday, a "legal, public holiday." Trump also called on officials as well as the American
people to display the flag and participate in patriotic activities in their communities.
The president touted the work of the administration in the proclamation, listing the restructuring of the Department of Veterans Affairs as well as the National Center for Warrior Independence, a west Los Angeles based veteran support hub, among the initiatives put forth to assist and care for the nation's veterans.
Celebrated each year on Nov. 11, Veterans Day marks the date when fighting ceased in World War I and generally generally honors American veterans for their willingness to serve, according to the VA.
In addition to pitching the name change in a May 2025 Truth Social post, Trump also said he was pushing to recognize May 8 as "Victory Day for World War II." May 8 is not a federal holiday in the United States, though it is recognized as Victory in Europe Day in several European countries.
USA TODAY has reached out to the White House for comment.
What has Trump said about renaming Veterans Day?
Trump said in a May 2025 Truth Social post that he was pushing to rename Veterans Day on Nov. 11 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 in the post.
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 does Veterans Day recognize?
According to the Office of Personnel Management, Veterans Day is one of the 11 federal holidays observed in the United States each year.
The day recognizes the end of fighting in World War I. 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.
What is Victory Day? Does the United States recognize May 8 as a holiday?
Trump previously said he was pushing to make May 8 a holiday, though 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.
What federal holidays remain in 2026?
There are two remaining federal holidays for the year, after Veterans Day.
- Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, Nov. 26
- Christmas Day: Friday, Dec. 25
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump once suggested renaming Veterans Day. See what he said this year
