Victory in Europe Day 2026 in the United States

On May 8, 1945, Germany’s armed forces surrendered to Allied armies, bringing an end to World War II in Europe.

Is Victory in Europe Day a Public Holiday?

Victory in Europe Day, May 8, is not a national holiday in the United States.

Instead, events honoring World War II servicemen and servicewomen are usually a part of Memorial Day (observed the final Monday in May) and Veterans Day (November 11) commemorations, including a Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, DC, honoring those who gave their lives in service.

Marking the Occasion

While this date is not widely celebrated in the United States, some ceremonies were held in 2025 to mark the 80th anniversary of the German surrender.

At the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC, veterans and government officials gathered on May 8, 2025 to lay wreaths in memory of the more than 400,000 Americans who gave their lives in the conflict.

Perspectives from the US and the UN

Since the United States was still actively involved in the Pacific theatre of war when the conflict ended in Europe, VE Day arguably holds less national significance in the US than in many European nations.

On the international level, the United Nations (UN) declared May 8 and 9 as a time of remembrance and reconciliation, to be observed annually worldwide on either day or both days. These dates serve as a tribute to all those who died during World War II.

This observance is not to be confused with the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust.

How is the day commemorated in Germany?

While we diligently research and update our holiday dates, some of the information in the table above may be preliminary. If you find an error, please let us know.