Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in the Second World War 1939-1945
On May 8, in Ukraine and in all civilized countries, it is commemorated Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in the Second World War 1939–1945 – it was on this very day, in 1945, that the Act of Capitulation of the then aggressor – fascist Germany – was signed.
On November 22, 2004, the UN General Assembly proclaimed May 8 and 9 Days of Remembrance and Reconciliation and, recognizing that Member States may have their own days of victory, liberation, and celebration, has proposed that all Member States, UN system organizations, non-governmental organizations, and private individuals annually commemorate one of these days or both of these days as a tribute to all victims of the Second World War.
In 2015, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine passed a law on commemorating the victory over Nazism in the Second World War of 1939-1945, which established May 8 as the Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation, and instead of the Soviet Victory Day holiday, it was established Victory Day over Nazism in the Second World War, which was annually celebrated in Ukraine May 9, 2023.
Every word in the name of this date has a deep sacred meaning. Memory to tell us that we must not forget the millions of people who died in the Second World War. Reconciliation – means that all the countries that participated in the bloody events of that war should reconcile with each other and not start new wars.
In 2023, a law establishing May 8 as the Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism was signed by President Volodymyr Zelensky. Today, May 8 in Ukraine is not a celebration of triumph, but a day of honor, a day of remembrance for the millions of Ukrainians who perished on the frontlines, under occupation, in camps, during deportations and repressions, as well as a reminder of Ukraine’s and Ukrainians’ contribution to the victory over Nazism in World War II.
The purpose of this commemorative day is to once again remind the world about the innocent victims of war, about the millions of people senselessly destroyed as a result of military actions, about terrible war crimes and crimes against humanity. Unfortunately, our hopes are not always justified, and the Ukrainian people once again have to defend their right to exist, which this time is denied by Russian neo-Nazis. Today, the successor of totalitarian regimes is the Russian Federation, which appropriates the victory over Nazism and actively cultivates myths about the Second World War not only within its own country and among the states that were once part of the USSR, but also manipulates them in Europe and the world. The aggressor state uses the victory in the Second World War and its so-called ‘exclusive role’ in it as an indulgence for committing mass crimes in Ukraine – against prisoners of war and civilians.
At the same time, Ukrainians on the side of the anti-Hitler coalition made a significant contribution to the victory over Nazism and the allies of Nazi Germany. Millions of Ukrainians resisted with weapons in hand in various regular armies of the world, hundreds of thousands fought in underground and insurgent structures. Almost all Ukrainian enterprises were reoriented towards defense needs. Ukrainian land was one of the main theaters of military operations, the site of large-scale battles and the fiercest resistance.
Today, the KUL NASU team, together with all Ukrainians, honors the memory of those who died in the Second World War and Ukraine’s important contribution to the victory over Nazism.
It is worth noting that the Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in the Second World War has its own symbol – the red poppy. And the slogan of today’s commemorative day is as follows: 1939-1945. We remember. We win.
Press Center KUL NASU