September marks not one, but two significant days for the United States military. V-J Day is September 2 and Patriot Day is September 11. Keep reading to learn more about these holidays.
V-J Day stands for Victory of Japan Day. The holiday commemorates the shift in World War II that favored the allies (U.S., Great Britain, France, etc.). This shift happened after the United States bombed two of Japan’s major cities; Nagasaki and Hiroshima. Following the event, the Japanese Empire surrendered to the allies and an end to the war was in sight.
The original V-J Day was a day of celebration across the globe. You may have seen the popular image of a sailor sweeping a Navy nurse into his arms and kissing her in Times Square on V-J Day. You may also find Hollywood films and history documentaries about WWII airing on television on September 2.
Later in the month, Patriot Day is a holiday used to reflect on the devastating terror attacks of 2001. Nearly 3,000 people lost their lives on September 11 after hijackers flew three planes into the World Trade Center and Pentagon, with a fourth plane crashing in Pennsylvania after passengers fought the hijackers. Patriot Day involves the lowering of American flags across the country and a nationwide moment of silence at 8:46 a.m., which is the time the first plane crashed.
If you’re looking for a way to honor veterans and give back on V-J Day and Patriot Day, make a donation to SRQ Vets. We are an organization of local veterans serving local veterans. Your funds help us provide veterans with physical and mental health resources, home improvements, and more.
