Why Victory Day is celebrated on May 9th instead of May 8th

Cultures · Published 30 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The end of World War II in Europe is marked by two different dates. While most Western nations observe victory on May 8th, the Soviet Union and many post-Soviet states celebrate on May 9th. This discrepancy stems from a complex diplomatic dispute over the location and legitimacy of surrender ceremonies.

The German Instrument of Surrender was finalized in two distinct stages. An initial agreement was signed in Reims, France, on May 7, 1945. However, the Soviet High Command rejected this document, arguing that the officer who signed it lacked proper authorization and that the text had not been sufficiently vetted. Joseph Stalin insisted that the true capitulation must occur in Berlin, the heart of Nazi aggression, before the supreme leadership of the entire anti-Hitler coalition.

Consequently, a second, revised surrender was signed in Berlin-Karlshorst late on May 8, 1945. Because of the time zone difference, it was already May 9th in Moscow when the ceremony concluded. This revised document explicitly mandated the total disarmament of German forces. Stalin and Allied leaders agreed to treat the earlier Reims protocol as merely preliminary, solidifying the Berlin event as the official conclusion of hostilities for the Soviet Union.

The holiday evolved significantly over the decades. While inaugurated in 1945, it only became a non-labor day in the Soviet Union in 1965. Following the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, the holiday's status shifted across the region. In Russia, it transformed into a centerpiece of national identity and popular culture, particularly under Vladimir Putin. Conversely, nations like Poland, Romania, and Ukraine have moved away from the May 9th tradition, often aligning their commemorations with the Western May 8th date or establishing new days of remembrance to reflect their own national narratives.

Today, the holiday remains deeply emotional due to the immense human toll of the war. While some countries continue to host large-scale parades and state-sponsored ceremonies, others have actively distanced themselves from the Soviet-era legacy. In Ukraine, for example, the significance of the date has plummeted, with recent polling showing a sharp decline in public importance compared to 2010, as the country redefines its historical memory in the wake of ongoing conflict.

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