Victory Day is a common name of many different public holidays in various countries to commemorate victories in important battles or wars in the countries' history.

[edit] April 30 in Vietnam

April 30 is an annual holiday in Vietnam to commemorate the fall of Saigon 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).

[edit] May 8 in Europe

Victory Day marks the end of World War II in Europe, specifically the capitulation of Nazi forces to the Allies (the United Kingdom, Soviet Union, France, the United States and other principal Allied nations) on May 8, 1945.

[edit] May 9 in Russia and countries of post-Soviet space

In Russia, Ukraine, Belorussia and other countries of former Soviet Union, the day of Victory over Nazi Germany 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.

[edit] June 23 in Estonia

Võidupüha or Victory Day is a public holiday in Estonia, 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 the Communist Russia. Today, võidupüha also marks the contributions of all Estonians 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.

[edit] August 5 in Croatia

Croatia 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.

[edit] 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 Dumlupınar, the final battle in the Turkish War of Independence in 1922.

[edit] September 8 in Malta

Victory Day on September 8 is a national holiday in Malta to commemorate the victory of the Knights Hospitaller 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 Xaghra, Naxxar, Senglea, and Mellieha on the same day.

The traditional regatta featuring boat races in the Grand Harbour is also held on this day.

[edit] December 16 in Bangladesh

Victory Day on December 16 is a national holiday in Bangladesh to commemorate the surrender of Pakistani forces in the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. and the liberation war was held by the leader Sheikh Mujibur Rehman.

This holiday is known as Vijay Diwas in Bangladesh. Bangladesh celebrates the victory day every year.

[edit] 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 Mozambique in 1974, with independence granted in 1975.

In Portuguese, the official language of Mozambique, the holiday is known as Dia da Vitória.

[edit] Victory Day in other countries

There are also Victory Days in Egypt in October, commemorating the Yom Kippur War, and in December 23, commemorating the Suez Crisis, and 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. India celebrates Victory Day, Vijay Diwas, on December 16 to mark the Indian victory in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, while Bangladesh also celebrates the December 16th as Victory Day, to mark, the Pakistani Army surrender to the Indo-Bangladeshi High Command in Dhaka at the end of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. Kargil vijay diwas (Kargil Victory Day) commemorates the 1999 Kargil War between India And Pakistan.

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

[edit] Other observances

Victory Day is usually observed in Hawaii 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.

[edit] References

[edit] See also

Holidays portal

• Victory over Japan Day
• November 11: Remembrance Day, Veterans Day, Armistice Day

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