General Treasurer Seth Magaziner “believes it is appropriate to celebrate the end of the second world war as a victory over fascism,” spokesman Evan England wrote in en email. Gina Raimondo, House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello and Senate President Dominick Ruggerio all had the same response: no comment. The Journal last week reached out to a dozen of the state’s high-ranking elected officials and 2020 candidates for their takes on whether Victory Day is ripe for a change. “ father served in the Pacific during World War II and he believes that everyone who served with him should continue to be honored and remembered on Victory Day." Dan McKee, wrote The Journal in an email. "The Allied triumph in World War II was nothing less than the triumph of good over evil,“ Andrea Palagi, spokeswoman for Lt. “The idea is we can still have the holiday and use it to talk about other things, enjoy our time and still have a conversation about the meaning of the war,” Casey Belisle, a Bolt employee, said Friday.īut in a state with a large number of veterans and a protective sense of tradition, the idea of taking victory out of Victory Day meets stiff pushback.
Getting rid of victory day in rhode island windows#
In the windows of downtown Providence shops like Bolt Coffee on Washington Street, posters suggest “Mayor’s Bay Day,” “Lobster Roll Day,” or “Surf and Sand Day” under the hashtag #RenameVictoryDay. “One possibility is Celebrate Rhode Day to encourage Rhode Islanders to enjoy a staycation, exploring beaches and State Parks, attend food and music festivals showcasing local artists and businesses, and attend events at historic sites highlighting Rhode Island’s critical role in the birth of America and ongoing evolution,” the petition says. In this year of anti-racism and social justice protest, the Victory Day debate has begun anew.Īn online petition seeks to “Transform Victory over Japan Day to an Inclusive RI Holiday.” "I think it's important that we remember.For the 72nd year running, Rhode Island on Monday will commemorate the end of World War II with an official state holiday - Victory Day.Īnd over much of that time, residents have debated the merits of marking the anniversary of the Japanese surrender in 1945 - Rhode Island is the only state in the nation to do so - as well as whether Victory Day is a good name for the holiday.
"If your mother let you do that you knew it was a big deal," Trottier said. She and the other neighborhood children paraded up and down the block banging pots and pans after the surrender was announced. Pawtucket resident Penny Trottier was five years old on V-J Day - too young to understand the magnitude of the day but old enough to recognize a celebration when she saw one. "It is only because of their sacrifice that we can head to the beach or the backyard." "This day is about something much more important than a three-day summer weekend," said Pawtucket Mayor Don Grebien, who spoke at Monday's ceremony before taking the rest of the day off himself. ally, or because the surrender was preceded by a nuclear attack.īut supporters of the tradition say the holiday isn't about Hiroshima or Nagasaki - or an excuse for a long weekend - but instead commemorates a peace hard won by veterans.
Over the years there have been efforts to eliminate the holiday because Japan is now a U.S. Some businesses close for the day as well, giving many Rhode Islanders a three-day summer weekend. State and municipal offices are closed and public buses operate on a holiday schedule. Rhode Island observes the historic moment as Victory Day on the second Monday in August. The surrender ended the war, which was over in Europe in May 1945 when Germany surrendered. 14, 1945, and formally signed surrender papers the following Sept. 2 as V-J Day, Rhode Island is the last state to formally observe the surrender of Japan with a public holiday. Although many calendars still designate Sept.
The East Providence, R.I., man was one of nearly 100 people who commemorated Victory Day on Monday at a small ceremony next to Pawtucket City Hall. "Nobody knew if it was really over or not." "We almost got torpedoed that day," the 89-year-old Smith said. The veteran recalls the jubilation - and the disbelief - that accompanied the end of history's deadliest war. Charles Smith celebrated Japan's surrender in World War II on a naval destroyer in the Pacific.
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