National Spirit of ’45 Day
August 9
About National Spirit of ’45 Day
National Spirit of ’45 Day is an American commemorative day held on the second Sunday of August each year to honour the generation that lived through the Second World War, both those who served in uniform and those who kept the home front running. In 2026 it falls on Sunday, 9 August. Established by a unanimous act of Congress in 2010, the day marks the period in August 1945 when the war finally ended and celebrations erupted across the United States and around the world.
The Story Behind National Spirit of ’45 Day
The roots of the day stretch back to the summer of 1945. On 14 August 1945, President Harry S. Truman announced that Japan had surrendered, bringing the most destructive conflict in human history to a close. The news triggered spontaneous celebrations from Times Square to small towns across the country. It was during these celebrations that the photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt captured the famous image of a sailor kissing a woman in a white dress in Times Square, an image that became one of the defining photographs of the twentieth century.
The modern observance grew out of a project begun in 1996, when Warren Hegg and a small group of volunteers paired schoolchildren with older relatives and neighbours to record their memories of the war years. The aim was simple but urgent: to capture the firsthand recollections of a generation before they were lost. As the years passed and veterans of the war grew older, supporters of the project came to believe that the wider story of that generation, its unity, sacrifice and determination, deserved a national day of remembrance.
The push for formal recognition gathered momentum in 2008 at a symposium in California, where Edith Shain, long identified as the nurse in Eisenstaedt’s V-J Day photograph, lent her support to the idea of a day honouring the achievements of the wartime generation. Backed by veterans’ groups, historians and ordinary citizens, the Spirit of ’45 campaign lobbied Congress, and in 2010 both houses voted unanimously to designate the second Sunday in August as National Spirit of ’45 Day. The first official observance was held that same year.
When and Where is National Spirit of ’45 Day Celebrated?
National Spirit of ’45 Day always falls on the second Sunday of August. In 2026 that date is Sunday, 9 August. Because the date is tied to the day of the week rather than a fixed calendar date, it shifts slightly each year. The observance is primarily an American one, marked in cities and towns across the United States, though its themes of remembrance resonate with allied nations that shared in the war effort and the eventual victory.
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Sunday, 9 August |
| 2027 | Sunday, 8 August |
| 2028 | Sunday, 13 August |
| 2029 | Sunday, 12 August |
| 2030 | Sunday, 11 August |
Traditions and Commemorations
Communities mark the day in a variety of ways, blending solemn remembrance with the joyful spirit of the original 1945 celebrations.
- Bell ringing – Many communities ring bells at a set time to echo the church bells, ships’ horns and factory whistles that sounded across the country when the war’s end was announced.
- Honouring veterans – Surviving veterans and home front workers are recognised at gatherings, with their stories shared and their service acknowledged before younger generations.
- 1940s-themed events – Big band concerts, swing dances and vintage car displays recreate the music and atmosphere of the wartime and victory era.
- Flag raising and ceremonies – Civic groups hold flag-raising ceremonies, wreath layings and moments of silence at war memorials and town squares.
- Intergenerational storytelling – In the tradition of the original 1996 project, schools and families encourage young people to interview older relatives and record their memories of the era.
Ways to Mark National Spirit of ’45 Day
You do not need a formal ceremony to take part. There are many ways to honour the day at home or in your community.
- Talk to a veteran or elder – If you know someone who lived through the war years, take time to listen to their memories and write them down before they are lost.
- Visit a memorial or museum – Spend time at a local war memorial or a Second World War exhibition to learn more about the sacrifices made.
- Attend a community event – Look for local bell ringings, concerts or commemorations and join in alongside your neighbours.
- Fly the flag – Display the national flag at your home as a simple gesture of respect for the generation being honoured.
- Share a story online – Post a photograph, memory or tribute on social media to help keep the history alive for a wider audience.
- Support a veterans’ charity – Donate to or volunteer with an organisation that supports veterans and their families.
Facts and Figures
- National Spirit of ’45 Day was established by a unanimous vote of both houses of the United States Congress in 2010.
- The day commemorates the events of August 1945, when President Truman announced Japan’s surrender on 14 August and the war came to an end.
- The grassroots project behind the day began in 1996, pairing children with seniors to record wartime memories.
- Edith Shain, long associated with the iconic V-J Day photograph in Times Square, helped champion the campaign for the day in 2008.
- The observance always falls on the second Sunday of August, so its calendar date changes from year to year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Spirit of ’45 Day?
It is an American commemorative day honouring the generation that lived through the Second World War, both those in uniform and those on the home front. It was established by Congress in 2010 to preserve the unity and resilience of that era for future generations.
When is National Spirit of ’45 Day in 2026?
In 2026 it falls on Sunday, 9 August, the second Sunday of the month. The date moves each year because it is tied to the second Sunday rather than a fixed calendar date.
Why is it called the Spirit of ’45?
The name refers to the year 1945, when the Second World War ended. The “spirit” describes the can-do attitude, shared sacrifice and sense of common purpose that defined the wartime generation and the celebrations that greeted the war’s conclusion.
Spread the Word
Share National Spirit of ’45 Day with your community using #SpiritOf45 and #SpiritOf45Day2026. Whether you mark the occasion by recording a relative’s wartime memories or attending a local commemoration, every bit of awareness helps keep this tradition alive.
Related Awareness Days
- Victory In Japan Day – Marks 15 August 1945, the day Japan’s surrender was formally celebrated, closely tied to the events behind Spirit of ’45 Day.
- VE (Victory in Europe) Day – Commemorates the end of the war in Europe in May 1945, the first of the year’s great victory milestones.
- National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day – Honours the service and sacrifice of veterans of a later conflict, continuing the theme of remembrance.
Links
Featured image: Photo by Cristina Glebova on Unsplash.
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