Victory Day

This article is about the type of commemoration days. For the Russian song, see Den Pobedy. For the 1988 album by Tom Cochrane and Red Rider, see Victory Day (album). For the related Victory parades, see Victory parade. For the military term, see Military designation of days and hours.

People gathered in Whitehall to hear Winston Churchill's victory speech and celebrate Victory in Europe, 8 May 1945

Victory Day (also shortened as V-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.

List

Country/Territory	Date	Details
Cambodia	January 7	This national holiday was established to commemorate the end of the Khmer Rouge regime in 1979.
Angola	March 27	Victory Day in Angola is on March 27.
Afghanistan	April 28	Mujahideen Victory Day- Commemorates the defeat of the Soviet Union in the Soviet-Afghan War and the subsequent victory of Afghan mujahideen rebels over the country’s communist government in 1992.
Vietnam	April 30	Day of liberating the South for national reunification – April 30 is an annual holiday in Vietnam to commemorate the defeat of South Vietnam in 1975 at the end of the Vietnam War.
Vietnam	May 7	In Vietnam, May 7, 1954 marks the victory of Vietnam over French forces at the battle of Dien Bien Phu. This victory ended the second French invasion (1946-1954) and began the time of independence for Vietnam.
Europe	May 8	Victory in Europe Day – Victory Day marks the end of World War II in Europe, specifically the capitulation of Nazi forces to the Allies (the Soviet Union, Canada, France, United Kingdom, 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).
Soviet Union Yugoslavia	May 9	Victory Day – The Soviet Union and Yugoslavia marked the Day of Victory (Den' Pobedy) over Nazi Germany on May 9. The German Instrument of Surrender entered into force in the West on May 8, 1945 at 23:01 local time (CET), which equated to May 9 in the Moscow time-zone. Some post-Soviet countries, most notably the Russian Federation, have continued the 9 May tradition. Serbians celebrate May 9 as a national holiday, officially called "Victory Day", in commemoration of 1945. In many Serbian cities people gather on the main square with the Serbian army to celebrate the anniversary with war veterans. Called Victory Day over Nazism in World War II in Ukraine.
Sri Lanka	May 18	Victory and Remembrance Day – Victory and Remembrance Day marks the end of LTTE in Sri Lanka, specifically the capitulation of LTTE forces to the SL ARMY on May 18, 2009. This day also honors the many military and civilian dead and wounded on the long civil war that divided the country.
Estonia	June 23	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 Latvian North brigade) 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 Estonians in their fight to regain and retain their independence. The celebration is ceremonially tied to the Midsummer celebrations on June 24. According to Estonian laws, the state flags are not to be lowered during the night between these two days.
India	July 26	Kargil vijay diwas (Kargil Victory Day) commemorates the 1999 Kargil War between India and Pakistan. Also December 16 is marked as Vijay Diwas (India) for celebrating Indian victory in erstwhile East Pakistan in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 resulting in formation of Bangladesh.
North Korea	July 27	Day of Victory in the Great Fatherland Liberation War – July 27, 1953, North Korea celebrates the Day of Victory in the Great Fatherland Liberation War to commemorate the end of the Korean War.
Cambodia Laos	August 1	Cambodia and Laos claimed their independence from the French colonial empire after withdrawal of the French Army on August 1, 1954.
Croatia	August 5	Victory Day (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 capture of Knin on August 5, 1995.
United States	August 14	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.
Vietnam	August 19	In Vietnam, they call this day "Cách mạng tháng Tám". This is the end of the First French Invasion (1858-1945).
Turkey	August 30	Victory Day (local name: Zafer Bayramı) on August 30 is a national holiday in Turkey to commemorate the victory in the Battle of Dumlupınar, one of the final and the most decisive battles in the Turkish War of Independence in 1922.
United Kingdom	September 2	Victory over Japan Day (also known as Victory in the Pacific Day, V-J Day, or V-P Day) is a name chosen for the day on which Japan surrendered, effectively ending World War II, and subsequent anniversaries of that event. The term has been applied to both of the days on which the initial announcement of Japan's surrender was made – to the afternoon of August 15, 1945, in Japan, and, because of time zone differences, to August 14, 1945 (when it was announced in the United States and the rest of the Americas and Eastern Pacific Islands) – as well as to September 2, 1945, when the signing of the surrender document occurred, officially ending World War II.
People's Republic of China Republic of China	September 3	Victory over Japan Day (also known as Victory in the Pacific Day, V-J Day, or V-P Day) is a name chosen for the day on which Japan surrendered, effectively ending World War II, and subsequent anniversaries of that event.
Mozambique	September 7	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.
Malta	September 8	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. It also commemorates the Armistice of Cassibile during World War II, when the Kingdom of Italy surrendered its navy to the Allies in Malta (8 September 1943). 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. The rebellion led by Emmanuele Vitale and Canon Francesco Saverio Caruana against the French troops occupying Malta in September 1800 is also a historical event related to the celebration taking place on this day, despite the anniversary does not fall exactly on 8 September.
Pakistan	September 8	Operation Dwarka – Pakistan celebrates Victory day for Pakistan Navy on September 8 on the occasion of the acclaimed success of Operation Dwarka during Indo-Pakistani war of 1965.
Egypt	October 6	The day of Egypt's victory over Israel in the breaching of the Bar Lev Line in October 1973.
Italy	November 4	Italy celebrates its victory over Austria-Hungary in World War I on November 4, 1918, when the armistice of Villa Giusti - signed 24 hours earlier - took effect.
Latvia	August 11	Latvian Freedom Fighters' Remembrance Day (also known as Commemoration Day of the Latvian Freedom Fighters) is observed on August 11 every year. It was established in 1934 and reestablished 1995 to commemorate those who died during the Latvian War of Independence in 1918-1920. On August 11, 1920, the Republic of Latvia and Soviet Russia signed the Treaty of Riga, which officially ended the Latvian War of Liberation. The anniversary of this treaty was declared a remembrance day for the people who gave their lives for the independence of Latvia. According to reports, over 3,000 Latvian soldiers were killed during the war.
Laos	December 2	The Pathet Lao's capture of Laos's capital Vientiane which ended the Laotian Civil War on December 2, 1975.
Bangladesh India	December 16	Victory Day on December 16 is a national holiday in Bangladesh to commemorate the surrender of Pakistani forces to allied Indian and Bangladeshi forces in the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. This holiday is known as Bijoy Dibosh (Template:Lang-bn) in Bangladesh, and it is also commemorated as Vijay Diwas in India to mark the victory. In India the day is primarily of military significance.

See also

• November 11: Remembrance Day, Veterans Day, Armistice Day
• Liberation Day: List of dates on which countries were liberated from occupiers
• National Day: A day marking the founding of a nation which can be related to a key victory

External links

• Victory Parade, Russia, Moscow, 2015 on YouTube
• Victory Parade, Russia, St. Petersburg, 2015 on YouTube