In the United States, V-J Day was widely celebrated on August 14, 1945, after Japan announced its surrender.
The date reflected the timing of the announcement in the United States, where it was still August 14 when President Harry S. Truman and news organizations reported Japan’s decision. Crowds gathered in cities including New York, Washington, and San Francisco, producing some of the most famous victory photographs of the war.
The date can be confusing because Japan was already on August 15 when Emperor Hirohito’s surrender broadcast was heard there. Many countries therefore mark V-J Day on August 15, while the United States traditionally associates the public celebration with August 14. The formal surrender ceremony came later, on September 2, aboard USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay.
V-J Day ended the long Pacific War, although Allied forces continued occupying Japan and other Japanese-held territories after the announcement.