In the United States, on what date was V-J Day announced in 1945?

In the United States, V-J Day was announced on August 14, 1945. President Harry S. Truman announced Japan’s acceptance of the Allied surrender terms after the Japanese government communicated its decision through diplomatic channels.

The date differs from August 15, the date commonly observed in Japan and many British Commonwealth countries. Because of the International Date Line and local time differences, the same surrender announcement occurred on different calendar dates around the world. In the United States, Truman’s announcement came during the evening of August 14.

V-J Day means “Victory over Japan Day,” paralleling V-E Day, or Victory in Europe Day. It marked the end of major fighting in the Pacific, although the surrender still had to be formally signed. That ceremony took place aboard USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945.

A common mix-up is treating August 14 and August 15 as contradictory dates. Both are historically used, depending on location and whether the reference is to the announcement, the broadcast in Japan, or local observance.