Bill > S0312

This bill proposes to change the name of the holiday on the second Monday of August from "Victory Day" to "Peace and Remembrance Day" in Rhode Island. The bill includes extensive legislative findings that provide context for the name change, highlighting the historical significance of the current holiday, which commemorates the end of World War II and specifically the victory over Japan. The proposed name change reflects a desire to acknowledge the broader human cost of war, particularly civilian suffering, and to move beyond a celebration of military victory. The bill points out that Rhode Island is currently the only U.S. state that celebrates Victory Day, and it seeks to reframe the holiday to recognize the potential for peace, remember the victims of war, and reflect on the broader impacts of military conflict. Specifically, the bill amends state law to replace "Victory Day" with "Peace and Remembrance Day" in the list of official state holidays, and it repeals a previous provision that prohibited using any other name for the holiday. The legislation would take effect immediately upon its passage, symbolizing a shift in perspective from military triumph to a more nuanced understanding of war's human toll.

Military Affairs and Security

https://status.rilegislature.gov/