What name is given to the 1945 Allied victory marking Japan's surrender in World War II?

The 1945 Allied victory marking Japan’s surrender in World War II is called Victory over Japan Day.

The name is commonly shortened to V-J Day and refers to the end of the Pacific War. It can describe two closely related dates: 15 August 1945, when Japan’s surrender was announced, and 2 September 1945, when representatives formally signed the surrender document.

The date varies by country. The United Kingdom officially observes 15 August, while the United States traditionally commemorates 2 September. Time zones also explain why the announcement was dated 14 August in parts of the Americas.

V-J Day is often confused with V-E Day, which marked Germany’s surrender in Europe on 8 May 1945. Japan’s surrender ended the last major fighting of World War II, although some isolated Japanese soldiers continued resisting for years afterward.