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

In the United States, V-J Day was observed on August 14, 1945.

President Harry S. Truman announced Japan’s acceptance of the Allied surrender terms from Washington on the evening of August 14, using U.S. date and time. The news marked the practical end of fighting for Americans, even though the formal surrender document had not yet been signed.

The date can be confusing because Japan’s recorded announcement was broadcast to its people on August 15 in Japanese local time. The formal Japanese Instrument of Surrender was signed later, on September 2, aboard USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. For that reason, different countries and historical contexts use August 14, August 15, or September 2 when referring to V-J Day.

In the United States, August 14 became the familiar date because Truman’s announcement reached the public that day. The event followed Japan’s decision to accept the Potsdam Declaration, which had demanded the surrender of Japan’s armed forces.