In the United States, on what date did President Harry Truman announce Japan’s surrender?

In the United States, President Harry Truman announced Japan’s surrender on August 14, 1945. Truman’s announcement came after Japan accepted the Allied terms and before the formal signing ceremony.

Because of time-zone differences, the announcement was heard as August 15 in parts of the world, including Japan. This is why sources may describe V-J Day as August 14 or August 15, depending on the country and historical convention. In the United States, August 14 is the traditional date for the announcement.

The formal surrender document was not signed until September 2 aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. Truman’s announcement therefore communicated the news of victory but did not itself constitute the legal signing of the surrender instrument.

Crowds gathered in American cities after the announcement, and celebrations continued after years of war in Europe and the Pacific. The event is usually called Victory over Japan Day, or V-J Day.