Did you know?
Rhode Island celebrates Victory Day today, 9 August 2021 (observed on the second Monday in August.)

Rhode Island is the only state that marks the end of World War II with this state holiday.

President Harry S. Truman declared 14th August as Victory Day in 1946

RI Residents many residents refer to it as V-J Day (Victory in Japan Day)

What is the history?
It commemorates the end of second world war when Japan’s surrender was announced on August 14th 1945.

“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. Indeed, residents of the state suffered a higher proportion of war deaths than nearly any other state. It is also a state with strong union representation, so once a holiday made it onto the state list it is difficult to drop it. In 1990, the state General Assembly sought to clarify the meaning of the holiday and passed a resolution affirming that, though the holiday would continue, it was “not a day to express satisfaction in the destruction and death caused by nuclear bombs at Hiroshima and Nagasaki.”

While Rhode Island may be the only US state to observe the end of the war, in Europe, a holiday to mark the end of World War II is commonplace. The war in Europe ended late in the evening of May 8th 1945. This means countries like France and the Czech Republic observe Victory Day on 8th May, while countries further east, particularly those who were part of the Soviet Union celebrate Victory day on May 9th.

(source: https://www.officeholidays.com/holidays/usa/rhode-island/usa-victory-day)

Planning for your visit

Victory Day is a state holiday — not a federal holiday. State and local government offices are closed while Federal offices, including U.S. Postal Mail Service, remain open. Public transport may operate on a different schedule.