80th Anniversary of Victory Day Over Fascism (May 9, 1945 - May 9, 2025): The Brilliant Epic of the 20th Century

(Baothanhhoa.vn) - The victory of democratic and progressive forces over the fascist forces, with the great flag of the Soviet People and Red Army, brought humanity into a new era of development. And then, exactly 80 years since the day the Red Army planted the red flag of blood and tears on the German Parliament building, May 9 has become "Victory Day" - a day for the world to honor the noble values ​​of freedom and peace, of conscience and human dignity.

Having gone through war, the Vietnamese people cherish history and the value of peace even more. (In the photo: Monument to Heroic Vietnamese Mothers in Quang Nam province).

Great victory

The world entered the 1930s with a not-so-bright "milestone": the economic and social crisis (1929-1933), starting in the West and quickly spreading throughout the world. The "overproduction crisis" created a terrible "legacy" for the world economy, with declining industrial output, factory closures, unemployment, increasing poverty, and fierce social conflicts... Many scholars believe that this great recession was the source of the formation of extreme violent political trends. Because, for countries like the US, UK, France... imperialists and colonialists with many colonies, capital and markets, they could escape the crisis thanks to somewhat "moderate" policies and the desire to maintain the current world order. On the contrary, some capitalist countries like Germany, Italy, and Japan did not have such a large "room" for development to deal with the great recession. Therefore, fascism became the path chosen by these countries. From here, the conflict between imperialist countries increased, along with the arms race and military modernization, which ignited World War II.

Fascism is considered the embodiment of extremism and belligerence, with policies of terror and brutal repression aimed at eliminating democracy. Moreover, with the aim of "re-dividing the world", Germany, Italy and Japan joined forces to form an "axis" to operate a giant "war machine", causing the death of millions of lives and severely destroying the world economy ; at the same time, threatening the peace and prosperity of nations as well as obscuring human conscience and dignity. And in fact, with the event of Nazi Germany attacking Poland (September 1, 1939), the "furnace" of World War II officially broke out. Within just one year, Europe was almost completely under the heel of Nazi Germany. Meanwhile, fascist Italy and Japan also quickly launched a war to occupy regions of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East (which were colonies of Britain, France, and the Netherlands).

The turning point of the war, which was also the fiercest phase of World War II, was when Germany tore up the “Soviet-German Non-Aggression Pact” and opened fire to invade the Soviet Union (June 1941). With a plan for a blitzkrieg war, a quick attack and quick victory, the German army created surprise and won many victories. There was even a time when the Soviet Union seemed to be on the brink of defeat when the German army had advanced close to the capital Moscow. The situation began to turn around with the Battle of Stalingrad (from July 1942 to February 1943) - a battle considered to be the largest, fiercest and bloodiest in world military history. Although in the early stages it was surrounded by the German army and caused huge casualties, with an extremely resilient fighting spirit of “not retreating a single step” and the righteousness of the war, the Red Army stood firm to move from holding out to counterattacking. The spectacular victory of the Battle of Stalingrad opened the period of victory for the entire World War II.

With the momentum created from the Battle of Stalingrad, in 1943, the Soviet Red Army turned to counterattack, completely repelling the Nazi German army, liberating the country. At the same time, it launched a series of attacks on the German army on all fronts, liberating many countries. On April 30, 1945, the victory flag of the Soviet Red Army flew over the German Parliament building. At exactly 0:43 a.m. on May 9, 1945, on behalf of Nazi Germany, Field Marshal Wihelm Keitel signed the minutes confirming the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany.

For a true peace

The victory of the world's progressive humanity over the fascist forces, with the "soul" being the People and the Red Army of the Soviet Union, was the greatest victory - a brilliant epic of the 20th century. This victory plunged the extremist, reactionary, belligerent, expansionist ideology of the fascist forces into the very "furnace" of war that they launched. However, that victory had to be exchanged for the blood and tears of countless lives, with more than 27 million people in the Soviet Union alone sacrificing their lives in the war. That was a noble sacrifice, for the conscience and dignity of progressive humanity, for peace and prosperity for nations and peoples in the world.

Having gone through war, the Vietnamese people cherish history and the value of peace even more. (In photo: People visit President Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum).

Exactly 8 decades have passed since that “Victory Day” of May 9. That is the “lens” of time for progressive humanity to have an objective and honest view of history, to appreciate the past even more, to be grateful to those who used their blood to paint the victory flag, used their youth to paint the green of peace, used their resilience and justice to fight against the power of cold steel, and inhumane calculations... Especially, in the current context, when extreme nationalism and many conflicts are taking place all over the world, the historical event of May 9 in particular and the struggle against fascism, to protect autonomy and peace 80 years ago, have become an invaluable lesson and must be a wake-up call for progressive humanity. That the rise of neo-fascism is no longer a danger, but is really present. And that, if progressive humanity does not speak up to fight for what is right, then that kind of extremism will be like an “oil stain”, able to turn the green of peace into the red of fresh blood; turning the values ​​of peace, freedom, democracy, independence and true progress into a “screen” for selfish interests and unjust schemes that can destroy this world.

On the political chessboard of the times, Vietnam, although a small country, has never been outside the calculations of the big countries. However, with the spirit of self-reliance, self-strengthening, self-respect and strong national pride, Vietnam is determined not to turn itself into a pawn and also not to accept becoming a pawn of any force. In 1945, when the fascists surrendered to the Allies, our Party quickly seized the "once in a thousand years" opportunity to successfully carry out the August Revolution and declare independence. It can be affirmed that this great victory was premised on "Victory Day" on May 9, 1945 and was fostered and encouraged by the spirit of courage, readiness to sacrifice, determination to fight and victory of the People and the Red Army of the Soviet Union. Empowered by the great country - a mirror of noble international spirit, justice and noble humanity, the Vietnamese people have steadfastly carried out a 30-year long march leading to the historic victory on April 30, 1975.

Rising from the pain of war, more than anyone else, Vietnam understands and appreciates the close comradeship, loyal friendship, and lasting friendship with the former Soviet Union and today Russia - the embodiment of the soul, character, and noble values ​​of the Soviet country. The official visit to the Russian Federation and the attendance at the 80th Anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War by Comrade To Lam - General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation, is perhaps the most convincing evidence of the current Vietnam - Russia relationship. The visit of the General Secretary and especially the presence of the head of our Party at Red Square - the heart of Russia, which witnessed the greatest historical moments of the birch country - is an extremely meaningful message that Vietnam wants to send to the Russian people and the world. That is the message of the Vietnamese people's respect and gratitude for the great sacrifices of progressive humanity for peace, including the noble sacrifices of the Soviet people and country. That is the message of the Vietnamese people's loyalty, purity, and consistency to their great, loyal friend, the Russian Federation. That is the message of a self-reliant, self-reliant, independent Vietnam, determined not to be dominated by any force on the global political chessboard, which is full of instability and calculation. And that Vietnam is ready to be a sincere friend, a reliable partner with all countries, an active and responsible member of the international community, but must be based on the core principle of respecting Vietnam's independence and sovereignty!

Article and photos: Khoi Nguyen

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/ky-niem-80-nam-ngay-chien-thang-phat-xit-9-5-1945-9-5-2025-thien-anh-hung-ca-choi-loi-cua-the-ky-xx-248092.htm