Trump to rename Veterans Day and VE Day to honor World Wars

US President Donald Trump says he plans to rename Veterans Day - known as Remembrance Day in the UK - as "Victory Day for World War I" to celebrate American contributions to the conflict.

The president also wants to name VE Day on 8 May as "Victory Day for World War II", he said on his Truth Social social media platform.

The announcement was not accompanied by an executive order, and it is unclear whether he intends for 8 May to become a federal holiday - a power that rests with the US Congress.

The days mark the end of World War I in 1918 and Germany's surrender to the allies in 1945, respectively.

In his late-night post, Trump said that "many of our allies and friends are celebrating May 8th as Victory Day, but we did more than any other country, by far, in producing a victorious result" in the Second World War.

"We won both wars, nobody was close to us in terms of strength, bravery or military brilliance, but we never celebrate anything," he added. "That's because we don't have leaders anymore, that know how to do so! So we are going to start celebrating our victories again!"

VE Day celebrations being held in the UK, France, Canada and other parts of the world this year mark 80 years since World War Two formally ended in Europe with Germany's unconditional surrender shortly after Berlin fell to Soviet forces.

Trump's remarks are likely to spike ire in Russia, which celebrates the end of what is termed the "Great Patriotic War". It is one of the most important holidays in the country and is celebrated by a massive parade.

Approximately 27 million Soviet citizens died during the war, which in the Soviet Union's case began when Germany invaded in July 1941.

According to statistics published online by the US National WWII Museum in New Orleans, about 418,500 Americans were killed in both the European and Pacific theatres of the conflict. Of the total, about 416,000 were military casualties.

The US has not historically recognised VE Day. The country was still at war with Japan on the Pacific front for several more months after conflict ended in Europe.

Veterans Day, known as Remembrance Day in the UK, was formerly known as Armistice Day in the US to mark the end of fighting in Europe on 11 November 1918.

After World War Two and the Korean War, it was renamed to honour all US military veterans. Memorial Day, which always falls on the last Monday in May, honours Americans who were killed in battle.

Trump did not specify how he believes the two "Victory" days should be celebrated, although he has previously floated the idea of conducting military parades in Washington to celebrate the US military.

This week, the Associated Press reported that the US Army has drawn up plans for a parade to celebrate the army's birthday on 14 June - the same day as Trump's birthday.

This year also marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence being signed in 1776.