The topic of holiday names in European countries came up during a conversation between ONT anchor Natalia Makarevich and Alexandra Kuznetsova-Timonova, a senior researcher at the Belarusian Center for Military History, on the May 13, 2025, episode of “Face to Face.”
“Why do countries that were once our allies mark this day separately—on May 8—and call it a Day of Reconciliation instead of Victory Day? Who are they reconciling with, and why don’t they want to celebrate with us?” the host asked.
In the United States, according to a declaration by President Donald Trump, May 8 has been known as World War II Victory Day since 2025. But even before that, it was known as Victory Day—Victory in Europe Day.
In France, the official name of the holiday is Victory Day 1945. In the United Kingdom, May 8 is celebrated as Victory in Europe Day. Since 2015, Poland has been officially celebrating May 8 as National Victory Day. Previously, it was called National Victory and Freedom Day. The Czech Republic simply calls May 8 Victory Day.
In Lithuania and Latvia, the day is marked as a remembrance for World War II victims. Latvia also has a separate Victory Over Nazism Day.
May 8 isn’t called a Day of Reconciliation even in countries that were part of Hitler’s coalition. In Germany, Austria, and Italy, it’s known as Liberation Day. Only Italy celebrates it on April 25.
The United Nations was the only organization to declare May 8 and 9 as the Days of Reconciliation back in 2004, in memory of those who died in World War II. The UN resolution calls for every effort to peacefully resolve conflicts. At the same time, the organization stresses the importance of never forgetting the Holocaust and other crimes committed by the Nazis.
