What date did U.S. President Harry Truman announce Japan’s acceptance of surrender terms?

Harry Truman announced Japan’s acceptance of the Allied surrender terms on August 14, 1945.

The announcement followed Japan’s communication that it would accept the Potsdam Declaration, with the condition that the Emperor’s position be preserved. The Allied governments accepted Japan’s surrender, while clarifying that the Emperor would remain subject to the authority of the occupation authorities.

In the United States, Truman’s announcement was made on August 14. Because of the International Date Line and time differences, it was already August 15 in Japan, where Emperor Hirohito’s recorded announcement was broadcast to the public.

This distinction produces different dates in historical accounts of V-J Day. August 14 is commonly associated with the announcement in the United States, August 15 with Japan’s public announcement, and September 2 with the formal signing ceremony.