In the United Kingdom, on what date was V-J Day observed in 1945?

In the United Kingdom, V-J Day was observed on 15 August 1945.

The date followed the Japanese government’s announcement that it accepted the terms of the Potsdam Declaration. Emperor Hirohito’s recorded message was broadcast to Japan shortly after noon Japan Standard Time on 15 August. In Britain and several other Allied countries, the news prompted public celebrations marking victory over Japan.

V-J Day has more than one associated date. In the United States, President Harry Truman announced the surrender during the evening of 14 August because of the time difference. The formal surrender ceremony took place later, on 2 September 1945, aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay.

The British observance therefore refers to the announcement day rather than the later signing of the surrender document. Australia commonly used the term V-P Day, meaning Victory in the Pacific, for the same broad event.