National Spirit of ’45 Day honors the can-do attitude of an entire generation affected by the trials and hardships of World War II. Observed every year on the second Sunday in August, communities around the country hold events and memorials honoring those who have inspired us, sacrificed and preserved our nation for future generations.
HOW TO OBSERVE
The Spirit of ’45 Organization provides a place to register and find events for upcoming the upcoming Spirit of ’45 Day. They also share past Spirit of ’45 events to keep the inspiration, honor and preservation alive. Visit and share using #NationalSpiritof45 on social media.
HISTORY
From a humble project pairing kids with seniors to document the World War II generation’s memories, Warren Hegg and the Spirit of ’45 Organization soon realized many shared a common story after the project started in 1996.
In 2009, spokesman Ernest Borgnine and Edith Shain (one woman who claimed to be famously photographed kissing a celebrating sailor in Times Square) talked about a day honoring the men and women of the World War II generation. Congress passed a joint resolution in 2010 on the 65th anniversary commemorating the day President Truman announced then of World War II.
