Indeed, residents of the state suffered a higher proportion of war deaths than nearly any other state. Rhode Island's continuation of this holiday is said to have been reinforced due to the high number of veterans who retired to the state. Arkansas dropped this holiday in 1955, leaving Rhode Island as the only state that marks the end of World War II with a legal holiday. New York observed V-J Day a few times in the late 1940s, and in 1949, Arkansas adopted a new state holiday - "World War II Memorial Day". The official name of this holiday is Victory day, though many residents still refer to it as V-J Day (Victory in Japan Day) Richard Windsor, a long-serving East Providence Republican. Victory Day was established in Rhode Island by lawmakers in the spring of 1948, three years after World War II ended when the General Assembly passed a bill sponsored by Rep.
Truman declared 14th August as Victory Day. The official surrender ceremony took place on September 2nd 1945 on the deck of the battleship USS Missouri. The announcement of the surrender was made by the Japanese in the afternoon of August 15th 1945, though due to time differences it was received when it was still August 14th in the US. History of Victory Dayĭays after the US dropped atomic bombs on two Japanese cities, Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Imperial Japan surrendered bringing World War II to an end. It commemorates the end of second world war when Japan's surrender was announced on August 14th 1945. John’s Day, many traditional and historical celebrations have been incorporated into the celebration.Victory Day is a state holiday in Rhode Island, observed on the second Monday in August. A brief rest period is taken, and the celebrations for Midsummers Eve begin.īecause Victory Day also falls on the summer solstice and is the day before St. There are celebrations throughout the country, and feasts are enjoyed all day. John’s Day.Īfter the torch has been lit, parades displaying the military, folk musicians and dancers from around the country take place in each city. The torches are later used in the evening to light the bonfires used to celebrate Midsummers Eve and St. This torch is then used to light a torch for each county in the country. The day begins with the president lighting a torch in commemoration of the fallen heroes of the country. The main parade featuring the different branches of the military is moved to different cities each year to ensure that all Estonians can celebrate Victory Day.
Victory Day is celebrated with parades throughout the country honouring the military and everyone who strived for Estonian freedom. Estonians celebrate for two straight days, with these holidays being celebrated by everyone. After this time, Victory Day was re-established as a national holiday.Ģ3 June is also Midsummers Eve and the day before a second national holiday in Estonia, St. Estonia regained its independence from Russia again in 1991. This national holiday was celebrated from 1934 until 1940 when Russian forces invaded Estonia and took control of the country.