What term describes the United States’ celebration of Japan’s surrender in World War II?

Victory over Japan Day describes the United States’ celebration of Japan’s surrender in World War II.

The term is commonly shortened to V-J Day. In the United States, President Harry S. Truman announced Japan’s surrender on August 14, 1945, in Washington, D.C., while the date was already August 15 in much of East Asia. Large public celebrations followed in Allied countries.

V-J Day is sometimes used for the August announcement and sometimes for September 2, the date of the formal signing ceremony. This difference reflects time zones and the distinction between announcing surrender and completing the legal ceremony.

V-J Day should not be confused with V-E Day, which marked Germany’s surrender in Europe on May 8, 1945. V-J Day specifically refers to the end of the war against Japan and the close of World War II’s major fighting.