On what date did U.S. President Harry S. Truman announce Japan’s surrender to Americans?

U.S. President Harry S. Truman announced Japan’s surrender to Americans on August 14, 1945.

Truman’s nationwide address followed Japan’s communication that it accepted the terms of the Potsdam Declaration. The broadcast aired at 7 p.m. Washington, D.C., daylight time, on August 14. Because of time-zone differences, the announcement corresponded to August 15 in Japan, when Emperor Hirohito’s recorded message was broadcast there.

The date can be confusing because “V-J Day” has been used for several related milestones. August 14 was the date of the announcement in the United States and much of the Americas. August 15 marked the public announcement in Japan, while September 2 was the date Japan formally signed the surrender instrument aboard USS Missouri.

Truman also stated that the official proclamation of V-J Day would wait until Japan signed the surrender terms. This distinction separates the announcement of surrender from the ceremony that legally and ceremonially ended hostilities.