Which U.S. president proclaimed victory over Japan after its surrender announcement in 1945?

Harry S. Truman proclaimed victory over Japan after Japan announced its acceptance of Allied surrender terms in August 1945. Truman was president of the United States when the announcement arrived, following the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt earlier that year.

In a statement issued on August 14, Truman told Americans that Japan had accepted the terms of the Potsdam Declaration. Public celebrations erupted across the United States and Allied countries, producing the familiar “V-J Day” headlines and photographs. Truman emphasized that the formal surrender documents still had to be signed.

The president had authorized the use of atomic bombs against Hiroshima and Nagasaki after consulting military and civilian advisers. His announcement therefore marked both the end of the Pacific conflict and the beginning of intense debate over the decision to use nuclear weapons.