On what date was Japan's World War II surrender formally signed aboard an Allied warship?

Japan's World War II surrender was formally signed on September 2, 1945, aboard an Allied warship in Tokyo Bay.

The ceremony formalized Japan's capitulation after the government had accepted the Allied terms in August. Japanese representatives signed the Japanese Instrument of Surrender, followed by representatives of the United States, China, Britain, the Soviet Union, Australia, Canada, France, the Netherlands, and New Zealand.

The date is sometimes confused with August 15, when Emperor Hirohito's surrender announcement was broadcast in Japan. August 15 marked the public announcement; September 2 marked the legal and ceremonial signing that officially ended the war with Japan.

The ceremony lasted about 23 minutes and was broadcast around the world. Its setting aboard USS Missouri became one of the most recognizable scenes marking the end of World War II.