Victory Day facts for kids

Victory Day (also called V-Day) is a special day celebrated in many countries. It's usually a public holiday that remembers important victories in battles or wars from a country's past.

For example, in Russia, Victory Day is on May 9th. It celebrates the defeat of Nazi Germany in what they call "The Great Patriotic War" (which was part of World War II).

In the United States and Britain, the end of World War II in Europe is celebrated as Victory in Europe Day (or V-E Day) on May 8th (or May 7th in the United Kingdom). But the war didn't fully end for them until Japan surrendered on September 2, 1945. This day is called Victory over Japan Day (or V-J Day). People in Russia usually don't focus on this part of the war.

In France, Victory Day also celebrates the end of World War II. It's on May 8, 1945, because that's when Charles de Gaulle announced the war was over.

Countries that Celebrate Victory Day

Many countries have their own Victory Day to remember important moments in their history. Here's a list:

Country/Territory	Date	What it Celebrates
Cambodia	January 7	This day remembers the end of the Khmer Rouge government in 1979. This government caused a lot of suffering in Cambodia.
Angola	March 27	Victory Day in Angola is on March 27.
Vietnam	April 30	Reunification Day - This day celebrates the fall of Saigon in 1975. This event marked the end of the Vietnam War and brought North and South Vietnam together. It's also called Victory Day or Liberation Day.
Vietnam	May 7	This day remembers Vietnam's victory over French forces in the Battle of Dien Bien Phu in 1954. This win ended 80 years of French rule and led to Vietnam's independence.
Europe	May 8	Victory in Europe Day - This day marks the end of World War II in Europe. It celebrates when Nazi forces surrendered to the Allied countries (like the Soviet Union, Canada, France, UK, and USA) on May 8, 1945.
Soviet Union  Russian Federation  Serbia  Belarus  Armenia  Kazakhstan  Azerbaijan  Kyrgyzstan  Tajikistan  Moldova  Macedonia  Mongolia  Montenegro  Abkhazia  South Ossetia  Nagorno-Karabakh  Transnistria	May 9	Victory Day (May 9) - In Russia and other countries that were part of the Soviet Union, this day celebrates the victory over Nazi Germany. The surrender document was signed on May 9, 1945, for them. Many of these countries, like Russian Federation, still celebrate it.
Ukraine	May 9	Victory Day over Nazism in World War II
Sri Lanka	May 18	Victory Day - This day marks the end of the conflict with the LTTE group in Sri Lanka. The LTTE forces surrendered to the Sri Lanka Army on May 18, 2009.
Estonia	June 23	Võidupüha or Victory Day is a public holiday in Estonia. It remembers the victory in the 1919 Battle of Võnnu. In this battle, Estonian forces defeated German forces who wanted to control the region again. This battle was part of Estonia's fight for independence.
India	July 26	Kargil vijay diwas (Kargil Victory Day) celebrates the 1999 Kargil War between India and Pakistan.
North Korea	July 27	Day of Victory in the Great Fatherland Liberation War - On July 27, 1953, North Korea celebrates the end of the Korean War.
Vietnam  Cambodia  Laos	August 1	This day marks when Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos declared their independence from the French colonial empire. This happened after the French Army left in August 1954.
Croatia	August 5	Victory Day (Croatia) - Croatia celebrates this day to remember the Croatian War of Independence. It specifically marks the liberation of the city of Knin on August 5, 1995.
United States	August 9	Victory Day is mostly celebrated in Hawaii and Rhode Island. It remembers the end of World War II. It used to be a national holiday, but it's less celebrated now because the war ended after the atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki on August 9, 1945.
Turkey	August 30	Victory Day (Zafer Bayramı) is a national holiday in Turkey. It celebrates the victory in the Battle of Dumlupınar in 1922. This was a very important battle in the Turkish War of Independence.
United Kingdom	September 2	Victory over Japan Day (also called V-J Day) is the day Japan surrendered, which officially ended World War II. This happened on September 2, 1945, when the surrender document was signed.
China  Taiwan	September 3	Victory over Japan Day (also called V-J Day) is the day Japan surrendered, which officially ended World War II.
Mozambique	September 7	Victory Day is a national holiday in Mozambique. It celebrates the agreement signed in 1974 that ended the Mozambican War of Independence. Mozambique gained independence in 1975.
Malta	September 8	Victory Day in Malta remembers two big victories. First, the victory of the Knights Hospitaller over the Ottoman Turks in the Great Siege of 1565. Second, it celebrates when Italy surrendered in 1943 during World War II, ending the Second Siege of Malta.
Pakistan	September 8	Operation Dwarka - Pakistan celebrates Victory Day for the Pakistan Navy on September 8. This marks the success of Operation Dwarka during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965.
Italy	November 4	Italy celebrates this day to remember its victory over Austria-Hungary in World War I on November 4, 1918.
Laos	December 2	This day marks when the Pathet Lao group took control of Laos's capital, Vientiane. This ended the Laotian Civil War on December 2, 1975.
Bangladesh  India	December 16	Victory Day is a national holiday in Bangladesh. It celebrates the surrender of Pakistani forces to Indian and Bangladeshi forces in the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. India also remembers this day as Vijay Diwas.
Egypt	October 6th	This day celebrates Egypt's victory over Israel. This victory led to the liberation of Sinai.

Related Pages

• November 11: Remembrance Day, Veterans Day, Armistice Day - These days also remember the end of wars, especially World War I.
• Liberation Day: A list of dates when countries were freed from being occupied by others.
• National Day: A day that celebrates the founding of a country, which can sometimes be linked to a big victory.

Images for kids

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