Which U.S. president announced that September 2, 1945, would be V-J Day?

Harry S. Truman announced that September 2, 1945, would be V-J Day.

Truman made the announcement in a radio address after Japan’s formal surrender arrangements had been completed. September 2 was selected because Japanese representatives were scheduled to sign the surrender instrument aboard USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay on that date.

The announcement followed an earlier round of public confusion about the date. News of Japan’s decision reached the United States on August 14, while Japan broadcast Hirohito’s surrender message on August 15 according to Japanese local time. Truman emphasized that the formal proclamation should follow the signing of the surrender terms.

The ceremony on September 2 legally concluded the war between Japan and the Allied powers. Although V-J Day is associated with multiple dates in different countries, September 2 is the formal surrender date recognized in the United States’ wartime announcement.