Veterans' Day is observed in Norway every May 8 as an official flag day, honoring veterans, particularly those who survived World War II and participated in UN peacekeeping operations. This observance was established in 2011, replacing Liberation Day, which commemorated Norway's liberation from German occupation in 1945. The decision to shift the focus to veterans was made by the Norwegian government in 1996 due to the declining number of World War II veterans. The first Veterans' Day was celebrated in 2011 following a resolution passed in 2010. The change from Liberation Day to Veterans' Day has faced criticism from organizations such as the Norwegian Defense Association, which has called for discussions regarding the alteration of the day's significance.