Victory Day
Encyclopedia
Victory Day is a common name of many different public holiday
s in various countries to commemorate victories in important battles or wars in the countries' history.
in 1975 at the end of the Vietnam War
. It is commonly known as Victory Day (Ngày Chiến thắng), Reunification Day (Ngày Thống nhất), or Liberation Day (Ngày Giải phóng).
forces to the Allies
(the United Kingdom, Soviet Union, France, the United States and other principal Allied nations) on May 8, 1945. The British Channel Islands
were not liberated from German Occupation
until May 9 (Jersey
and Guernsey
), May 10 (Sark
), and May 16 (Alderney
).
was celebrated on May 9, because when the German Instrument of Surrender
actually entered into force (May 8, 1945 at 23:01 CET
), it was already May 9 by Moscow Time
. Some post-Soviet countries, most notably the Russian Federation, have continued the tradition. Serbia celebrates May 9 as a national holiday as well. Although not a member of the Warsaw Pact
, it was allied with the Soviet Union as a member of the Yugoslav Federation, and it was occupied by German forces from 1941 to 1944. In many cities people gather on the main square with the Serbian army to celebrate the anniversary with war veterans.
of LTTE forces to the SL ARMY on May 18, 2009. After the world largest rescue mission more than 200000 civilians released from the terrorists. Key roles played by President His excellency Mahinda Rajapakse, Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapakse And Major General Sarath Fonseka. Above all of those the Strength and the experience of Sri Lankan Armed forces.
, which has been celebrated on 23 June every year since 1934. The date recalls the victory in the 1919 Battle of Võnnu (near Cēsis
, Latvia
) of the Estonian military forces
and their allies over German forces (Baltische Landeswehr
) who sought to re-assert Baltic-German control over the region. The battle was part of the 1918-1920 Estonian War of Independence
, where the main adversary of the newly independent Estonia was Communist Russia. Today, Võidupüha also marks the contributions of all Estonia
n nations in their fight to regain and retain their independence.
Estonian celebration of June 23 is ceremonially tied to the following Midsummer Day celebrations on June 24. According to Estonian laws, the state flags are not to be lowered during the night between the days.
celebrates the Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day and the Day of Croatian defenders on August 5, commemorating the Croatian War of Independence
, specifically the liberation of Knin
on August 5, 1995.
, the final battle in the Turkish War of Independence
in 1922.
in 1974, with independence granted in 1975.
In Portuguese, the official language of Mozambique, the holiday is known as Dia da Vitória.
over the Ottoman Turks
in the Great Siege
of 1565, as well as the capitulation
of Italy in 1943, turning against its former Nazi German
ally during World War II thus ending the Second Siege
of Malta.
September 8 is also the feast day of the birth of Mary, the mother of Jesus, which is popularly celebrated in Xagħra, Naxxar
, Senglea
, and Mellieħa on the same day.
The traditional regatta featuring boat races in the Grand Harbour is also held on this day.
to commemorate the surrender of Pakistani forces to allied Indian and Bangladeshi forces in the Bangladesh Liberation War
in 1971. In India, the day is primarily of military significance.
This holiday is known as Vijay Diwas in India and Bijoy Dibosh in Bangladesh.
on September 8 on occasion of success of Operation Dwarka
during Indo-Pakistani war of 1965
.
on 23 December, commemorating the end of Tripartite Aggression
on that date in 1956, and a Victory Day in Angola
on March 27. France celebrates it on May 8, to commemorate the German surrender in 1945 (Russia celebrates this on May 9). Italy celebrates Victory Day on November 4, commemorating victory over Austria-Hungary
in World War I. Kargil vijay diwas
(Kargil Victory Day) commemorates the 1999 Kargil War
between India And Pakistan.
and Rhode Island
on the second Monday of August. It celebrates the conclusion of World War II, see also Victory over Japan Day
. It was a nationally recognized holiday, but it has since been removed because of the nature of the war's ending (i.e. dropping the atomic bomb
on Nagasaki on August 9, 1945). Rhode Island retains the holiday in tribute to the disproportionate number of sailors it sent and lost in the Pacific front.
Public holiday
A public holiday, national holiday or legal holiday is a holiday generally established by law and is usually a non-working day during the year....
s in various countries to commemorate victories in important battles or wars in the countries' history.
April 30 in Vietnam
April 30 is an annual holiday in Vietnam to commemorate the fall of SaigonFall of Saigon
The Fall of Saigon was the capture of Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam, by the People's Army of Vietnam and the National Liberation Front on April 30, 1975...
in 1975 at the end of the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. It is commonly known as Victory Day (Ngày Chiến thắng), Reunification Day (Ngày Thống nhất), or Liberation Day (Ngày Giải phóng).
May 8 in Europe
Victory Day marks the end of World War II in Europe, specifically the capitulation of NaziNazism
Nazism, the common short form name of National Socialism was the ideology and practice of the Nazi Party and of Nazi Germany...
forces to the Allies
Allies of World War II
The Allies of World War II were the countries that opposed the Axis powers during the Second World War . Former Axis states contributing to the Allied victory are not considered Allied states...
(the United Kingdom, Soviet Union, France, the United States and other principal Allied nations) on May 8, 1945. The British Channel Islands
Channel Islands
The Channel Islands are an archipelago of British Crown Dependencies in the English Channel, off the French coast of Normandy. They include two separate bailiwicks: the Bailiwick of Guernsey and the Bailiwick of Jersey...
were not liberated from German Occupation
Occupation of the Channel Islands
The Channel Islands were occupied by Nazi Germany for much of World War II, from 30 June 1940 until the liberation on 9 May 1945. The Channel Islands are two British Crown dependencies and include the bailiwicks of Guernsey and Jersey as well as the smaller islands of Alderney and Sark...
until May 9 (Jersey
Jersey
Jersey, officially the Bailiwick of Jersey is a British Crown Dependency off the coast of Normandy, France. As well as the island of Jersey itself, the bailiwick includes two groups of small islands that are no longer permanently inhabited, the Minquiers and Écréhous, and the Pierres de Lecq and...
and Guernsey
Guernsey
Guernsey, officially the Bailiwick of Guernsey is a British Crown dependency in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy.The Bailiwick, as a governing entity, embraces not only all 10 parishes on the Island of Guernsey, but also the islands of Herm, Jethou, Burhou, and Lihou and their islet...
), May 10 (Sark
Sark
Sark is a small island in the Channel Islands in southwestern English Channel, off the French coast of Normandy. It is a royal fief, geographically located in the Channel Islands in the Bailiwick of Guernsey, with its own set of laws based on Norman law and its own parliament. It has a population...
), and May 16 (Alderney
Alderney
Alderney is the most northerly of the Channel Islands. It is part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey, a British Crown dependency. It is long and wide. The area is , making it the third-largest island of the Channel Islands, and the second largest in the Bailiwick...
).
May 9 in the former Soviet Union
In Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Belarus and other countries of the former Soviet Union, the day of Victory over Nazi GermanyNazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
was celebrated on May 9, because when the German Instrument of Surrender
German Instrument of Surrender, 1945
The German Instrument of Surrender was the legal instrument that established the armistice ending World War II in Europe. It was signed by representatives of the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht and the Allied Expeditionary Force together with the Soviet High Command, French representative signing as...
actually entered into force (May 8, 1945 at 23:01 CET
Central European Time
Central European Time , used in most parts of the European Union, is a standard time that is 1 hour ahead of Coordinated Universal Time . The time offset from UTC can be written as +01:00...
), it was already May 9 by Moscow Time
Moscow Time
Moscow Time is the time zone for the city of Moscow, Russia and most of western Russia, including Saint Petersburg. It is the second westernmost of the nine time zones of Russia. Moscow Time has been UTC+4 year-round since 27 March 2011....
. Some post-Soviet countries, most notably the Russian Federation, have continued the tradition. Serbia celebrates May 9 as a national holiday as well. Although not a member of the Warsaw Pact
Warsaw Pact
The Warsaw Treaty Organization of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance , or more commonly referred to as the Warsaw Pact, was a mutual defense treaty subscribed to by eight communist states in Eastern Europe...
, it was allied with the Soviet Union as a member of the Yugoslav Federation, and it was occupied by German forces from 1941 to 1944. In many cities people gather on the main square with the Serbian army to celebrate the anniversary with war veterans.
May 18 in Sri Lanka
Victory Day marks the end of LTTE in Sri Lanka, specifically the capitulationCapitulation (surrender)
Capitulation , an agreement in time of war for the surrender to a hostile armed force of a particular body of troops, a town or a territory....
of LTTE forces to the SL ARMY on May 18, 2009. After the world largest rescue mission more than 200000 civilians released from the terrorists. Key roles played by President His excellency Mahinda Rajapakse, Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapakse And Major General Sarath Fonseka. Above all of those the Strength and the experience of Sri Lankan Armed forces.
June 23 in Estonia
Võidupüha or Victory Day is a public holiday in EstoniaPublic holidays in Estonia
All official holidays in Estonia are established by acts of Parliament.-Public holidays:The following are holidays that mean days off:-National Holidays:The following holidays do not give a day off:- References :* *...
, which has been celebrated on 23 June every year since 1934. The date recalls the victory in the 1919 Battle of Võnnu (near Cēsis
Cesis
Cēsis , is a town in Latvia located in the northern part of the Central Vidzeme Upland. Cēsis is on the Gauja River valley, and is built on a series of ridges above the river overlooking the woods below...
, Latvia
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
) of the Estonian military forces
Military of Estonia
The Estonian Defence Forces is the name of the unified armed forces of the Republic of Estonia. The Estonian military is a defence force consisting of Maavägi , Merevägi , Õhuvägi and a paramilitary organization Kaitseliit...
and their allies over German forces (Baltische Landeswehr
Baltische Landeswehr
Baltische Landeswehr was the name of the unified armed forces of the Couronian and Livonian nobility from 7 December 1918 to 3 July 1919.- Command structure :...
) who sought to re-assert Baltic-German control over the region. The battle was part of the 1918-1920 Estonian War of Independence
Estonian Liberation War
The Estonian War of Independence , also known as the Estonian Liberation War, was a defensive campaign of the Estonian Army and its allies, most notably the White Russian Northwestern Army, Latvia, and the United Kingdom, against the Soviet Western Front offensive and the aggression of the...
, where the main adversary of the newly independent Estonia was Communist Russia. Today, Võidupüha also marks the contributions of all Estonia
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
n nations in their fight to regain and retain their independence.
Estonian celebration of June 23 is ceremonially tied to the following Midsummer Day celebrations on June 24. According to Estonian laws, the state flags are not to be lowered during the night between the days.
August 5 in Croatia
CroatiaCroatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
celebrates the Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day and the Day of Croatian defenders on August 5, commemorating the Croatian War of Independence
Croatian War of Independence
The Croatian War of Independence was fought from 1991 to 1995 between forces loyal to the government of Croatia—which had declared independence from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia —and the Serb-controlled Yugoslav People's Army and local Serb forces, with the JNA ending its combat...
, specifically the liberation of Knin
Knin
Knin is a historical town in the Šibenik-Knin county of Croatia, located near the source of the river Krka at , in the Dalmatian hinterland, on the railroad Zagreb–Split. Knin rose to prominence twice in history, as a one-time capital of both the Kingdom of Croatia and briefly of the...
on August 5, 1995.
August 30 in Turkey
Victory Day (local name: Zafer Bayramı) on August 30 is a national holiday in Turkey to commemorate the victory in the Battle of DumlupınarBattle of Dumlupinar
The Battle of Dumlupınar Muharebesi or Başkumandanlık Meydan Muharebesi; literally "All-out battle of Supreme military commands") was the last battle in the Greco-Turkish War...
, the final battle in the Turkish War of Independence
Turkish War of Independence
The Turkish War of Independence was a war of independence waged by Turkish nationalists against the Allies, after the country was partitioned by the Allies following the Ottoman Empire's defeat in World War I...
in 1922.
September 7 in Mozambique
Victory Day on September 7 is a national holiday in Mozambique to commemorate the signing of the agreement to end the Mozambican War of Independence. The agreement was signed between Portugal and MozambiqueMozambique
Mozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique , is a country in southeastern Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west and Swaziland and South Africa to the southwest...
in 1974, with independence granted in 1975.
In Portuguese, the official language of Mozambique, the holiday is known as Dia da Vitória.
September 8 in Malta
Victory Day on September 8 is a national holiday in Malta to commemorate the victory of the Knights HospitallerKnights Hospitaller
The Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta , also known as the Sovereign Military Order of Malta , Order of Malta or Knights of Malta, is a Roman Catholic lay religious order, traditionally of military, chivalrous, noble nature. It is the world's...
over the Ottoman Turks
Ottoman Turks
The Ottoman Turks were the Turkish-speaking population of the Ottoman Empire who formed the base of the state's military and ruling classes. Reliable information about the early history of Ottoman Turks is scarce, but they take their Turkish name, Osmanlı , from the house of Osman I The Ottoman...
in the Great Siege
Siege of Malta (1565)
The Siege of Malta took place in 1565 when the Ottoman Empire invaded the island, then held by the Knights Hospitaller .The Knights, together with between 4-5,000 Maltese men,...
of 1565, as well as the capitulation
Capitulation (surrender)
Capitulation , an agreement in time of war for the surrender to a hostile armed force of a particular body of troops, a town or a territory....
of Italy in 1943, turning against its former Nazi German
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
ally during World War II thus ending the Second Siege
Siege of Malta (1940)
The Siege of Malta was a military campaign in the Mediterranean Theatre of the Second World War. From 1940-1942, the fight for the control of the strategically important island of Malta pitted the air forces and navies of Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany against the Royal Air Force and the Royal...
of Malta.
September 8 is also the feast day of the birth of Mary, the mother of Jesus, which is popularly celebrated in Xagħra, Naxxar
Naxxar
Naxxar is a village in the central north of Malta, with a population of about 13,647 people . The Naxxar Church is dedicated to Our Lady of Victories. The feast is celebrated on September 8...
, Senglea
Senglea
Senglea is a fortified city in the east of Malta, mainly in the Grand Harbour area. It is one of the Three Cities in the east of Malta, the other two being Cospicua and Vittoriosa. The city of Senglea is also called Civitas Invicta, because it managed to resist the Ottoman invasion at the Great...
, and Mellieħa on the same day.
The traditional regatta featuring boat races in the Grand Harbour is also held on this day.
December 16 in India and Bangladesh
Victory Day on December 16 is a national holiday in BangladeshPublic holidays in Bangladesh
Bangladesh has ten national holidays, based on three separate calendars: Gregorian , Islamic , and Bengali calendars....
to commemorate the surrender of Pakistani forces to allied Indian and Bangladeshi forces in the Bangladesh Liberation War
Bangladesh Liberation War
The Bangladesh Liberation War was an armed conflict pitting East Pakistan and India against West Pakistan. The war resulted in the secession of East Pakistan, which became the independent nation of Bangladesh....
in 1971. In India, the day is primarily of military significance.
This holiday is known as Vijay Diwas in India and Bijoy Dibosh in Bangladesh.
September 8 in Pakistan
Pakistan celebrates Victory day for Pakistan NavyPakistan Navy
The Pakistan Navy is the naval warfare/service branch of the Pakistan Armed Forces. Pakistan's Navy is responsible for Pakistan's coastline along the Arabian Sea and the defense of important civilian harbors and military bases...
on September 8 on occasion of success of Operation Dwarka
Operation Dwarka
Operation Dwarka, also known as "Operation Somnath", was a naval operation commenced by the Pakistan Navy to attack the Indian coastal town of Dwarka on 7 September 1965. This was the first use of Pakistan Navy in any of the Indo-Pakistan Wars...
during Indo-Pakistani war of 1965
Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
The Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 was a culmination of skirmishes that took place between April 1965 and September 1965 between Pakistan and India. This conflict became known as the Second Kashmir War fought by India and Pakistan over the disputed region of Kashmir, the first having been fought in 1947...
.
Victory Day in other countries
There is also a Victory Day in EgyptEgypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
on 23 December, commemorating the end of Tripartite Aggression
Suez Crisis
The Suez Crisis, also referred to as the Tripartite Aggression, Suez War was an offensive war fought by France, the United Kingdom, and Israel against Egypt beginning on 29 October 1956. Less than a day after Israel invaded Egypt, Britain and France issued a joint ultimatum to Egypt and Israel,...
on that date in 1956, and a Victory Day in Angola
Angola
Angola, officially the Republic of Angola , is a country in south-central Africa bordered by Namibia on the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the north, and Zambia on the east; its west coast is on the Atlantic Ocean with Luanda as its capital city...
on March 27. France celebrates it on May 8, to commemorate the German surrender in 1945 (Russia celebrates this on May 9). Italy celebrates Victory Day on November 4, commemorating victory over Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary , more formally known as the Kingdoms and Lands Represented in the Imperial Council and the Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen, was a constitutional monarchic union between the crowns of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary in...
in World War I. Kargil vijay diwas
Kargil vijay diwas
Kargil Vijay Diwas, named after the success of Operation Vijay. On this day, 26 July 1999, India successfully took command of the high outposts which had been lost to Pakistani intruders. The Kargil war was fought for more than 60 days, ended on 26 July. and resulted in the loss of life on both...
(Kargil Victory Day) commemorates the 1999 Kargil War
Kargil War
The Kargil War ,, also known as the Kargil conflict, was an armed conflict between India and Pakistan that took place between May and July 1999 in the Kargil district of Kashmir and elsewhere along the Line of Control...
between India And Pakistan.
Other observances
Victory Day is usually observed in HawaiiHawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
and Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
on the second Monday of August. It celebrates the conclusion of World War II, see also Victory over Japan Day
Victory over Japan Day
Victory over Japan Day is a name chosen for the day on which the Surrender of Japan occurred, effectively ending World War II, and subsequent anniversaries of that event...
. It was a nationally recognized holiday, but it has since been removed because of the nature of the war's ending (i.e. dropping the atomic bomb
Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
During the final stages of World War II in 1945, the United States conducted two atomic bombings against the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan, the first on August 6, 1945, and the second on August 9, 1945. These two events are the only use of nuclear weapons in war to date.For six months...
on Nagasaki on August 9, 1945). Rhode Island retains the holiday in tribute to the disproportionate number of sailors it sent and lost in the Pacific front.
See also
- Victory over Japan DayVictory over Japan DayVictory over Japan Day is a name chosen for the day on which the Surrender of Japan occurred, effectively ending World War II, and subsequent anniversaries of that event...
- November 11: Remembrance DayRemembrance DayRemembrance Day is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth countries since the end of World War I to remember the members of their armed forces who have died in the line of duty. This day, or alternative dates, are also recognized as special days for war remembrances in many non-Commonwealth...
, Veterans DayVeterans DayVeterans Day, formerly Armistice Day, is an annual United States holiday honoring military veterans. It is a federal holiday that is observed on November 11. It coincides with other holidays such as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day, which are celebrated in other parts of the world and also mark...
, Armistice DayArmistice DayArmistice Day is on 11 November and commemorates the armistice signed between the Allies of World War I and Germany at Compiègne, France, for the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front of World War I, which took effect at eleven o'clock in the morning—the "eleventh hour of the eleventh day... - Liberation DayLiberation DayLiberation Day is a day, often a public holiday, that marks the liberation of a place, similar to an independence day. Liberation marks the date of either a revolution, as in Cuba, or the end of an occupation by another state, thereby differing from independence in the meaning of secession from...
: List of dates on which countries were liberated from occupiers