Which U.S. president was in office when Japan surrendered in World War II in 1945?

Harry S. Truman was the U.S. president in office when Japan surrendered in World War II in 1945.

Truman became president on 12 April 1945, after Franklin D. Roosevelt died during his fourth term. The war in Europe ended less than a month later, but fighting against Japan continued in the Pacific. Truman authorized the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and supported the Allied demand that Japan accept the Potsdam Declaration.

Japan’s surrender was announced publicly by Emperor Hirohito on 15 August 1945, while the formal surrender ceremony took place on 2 September aboard USS Missouri. Truman addressed the American people after Japan’s acceptance and described the event as the end of the Second World War.

A common mix-up is confusing Truman with Roosevelt, who was president for most of the war but died before Japan surrendered. Truman remained president during the occupation of Japan and the beginning of postwar reconstruction.