What date is recognized as the official U.S. V-J Day for Japan’s surrender in World War II?

The official U.S. V-J Day for Japan’s surrender is September 2, 1945.

That date marked the formal surrender ceremony aboard the battleship USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. Japanese representatives signed the Japanese Instrument of Surrender, ending organized hostilities between Japan and the Allied powers.

The term “V-J Day” can refer to more than one date because of time zones and differing national commemorations. Japan announced its acceptance of the Allied terms on August 15, 1945, while the announcement reached the United States on August 14. The United Kingdom generally commemorates August 15, but the United States recognizes September 2 as the official date.

September 2 is therefore distinct from the date of Emperor Hirohito’s radio announcement. It is also different from the later Treaty of San Francisco, which formally ended Japan’s state of war with most Allied countries in 1952.