Which U.S. president announced victory over Japan to the American public in 1945?

Harry S. Truman announced victory over Japan to the American public in 1945.

Truman was the 33rd president of the United States and had become president after Franklin D. Roosevelt died in April 1945. During Truman’s presidency, the United States used atomic bombs against Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Soviet Union entered the war against Japan, and Japan accepted the Allied surrender terms.

The White House announcement came after Japan communicated its acceptance of the Potsdam Declaration. News organizations and crowds quickly spread the celebration across the United States, where the event became known as V-J Day, meaning Victory over Japan Day.

Truman’s announcement is distinct from Emperor Hirohito’s broadcast to Japan. Hirohito informed the Japanese population of the decision to accept surrender terms, while Truman addressed the American public and presented the news as the end of the Pacific war.