Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives during the Second World War Date in the current year: May 8, 2024

Although many countries have their own public holidays and remembrance days dedicated to the end of World War II, the United Nations General assembly decided to establish annual international days of remembrance to pay tribute to the victims of the war. They begin on May 8 as on this day in 1945, the Allies accepted the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany.

All UN member states, organizations of the UN system, non-governmental organizations and individuals are encouraged to observe either one or both of these days by holding solemn ceremonies and other appropriate events aimed at honoring the memory of those who died during the war.

The events of the Second World War created the conditions for the establishment of the UN as an international organization that focuses on promoting peace and co-operation. The United Nations was created in order to prevent other conflicts comparable to WWII.