Victory Day, celebrated on May 9, is Russia’s most important secular holiday, reflecting its wartime sacrifice. But it’s also used by the Kremlin to bolster patriotism and regain the superpower prestige it lost when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991.

President Vladimir Putin is hosting Russia’s celebrations for the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. The outcome of the war he started in Ukraine remains far from certain.

When World War II came to Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast, it wasn’t in the form of grainy newsreel footage from the other side of the world. Instead, right in front of us, smoke and flame roiled the sea and filled the horizon. Beaches were strewn with oil and rope and boat parts. And drowned, shattered, charred bodies.

President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social earlier this week that he is designating two dates, including May 8 as national holidays to honor the U.S. winning both World Wars. He followed that up with a proclamation declaring May 8 as "Victory Day for World War II.

Europe is marking one of its most joyous days in history. V-E Day is also haunted by the specter of current-day conflict.

May 8 marks 80 years since the close of the European theater in World War II, when Nazi Germany surrendered to the Allies. The fighting in Europe stopped when the Chief of Staff of the German Armed Forces High Command,