In August 1945, the world celebrated the long awaited end to largest conflict in human history.
On August 6th and August 9th, the atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The devastation was the final push for the Japanese high command to surrender to the Allies. Despite the brutality of those acts, it meant the end of six years of suffering for the world at large and celebrations soon followed the surrenders.
Witness soldiers, Navy men and civilians around the world bask in the glory of victory and a world finally at peace.
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Japanese commanders listen to the terms of surrender aboard an Australian warship.
1945
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Victory parade in New York.
August 15th, 1945
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V-J celebrations on an aircraft carrier
August 15th, 1945
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V-J celebrations in New York City
August 15th, 1945
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Part of the mass flypast on the 2nd of September, over the Missouri.
September 2nd, 1945
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MacArthur at surrender ceremony. The flag flown by Perry is visible in the background.
September 2nd, 1945
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Chinese victory parade in Chongqing.
September 3, 1945
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“Japan Surrenders” newspaper headlines.
August 15th, 1945
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Japanese foreign affairs minister Mamoru Shigemitsu signs the Japanese Instrument of Surrender aboard the USS Missouri as American General Richard K. Sutherland watches.
September, 1945
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The Union Jack and the flag of the Republic of China were flown at the Cenotaph in Hong Kong on V-J Day.
1945
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US and Soviet sailors and seamen celebrating V-J Day.
August 14, 1945
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Victor Jorgensen's photo published in The New York Times.
August 15, 1945
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Civilians and service personnel in London celebrating V-J Day.
August 15, 1945
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Montreal's Chinese community celebrates V-J Day with a parade in Chinatown.
September 2, 1945
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Dancing Man in Sydney on V-J Day.
August 15, 1945
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Allied military personnel in Paris celebrating V-J Day.
August 15, 1945
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Crowds in Shanghai celebrating V-J Day.
August 15, 1945
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Crowds celebrating V-J Day in Times Square.
August 14, 1945
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Citizens and workers of Oak Ridge, Tennessee celebrate V-J Day.
August 14, 1945
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Representatives of the Empire of Japan on board USS Missouri during the surrender ceremonies. Standing in front are: Foreign Minister Mamoru Shigemitsu and General Yoshijirō Umezu, Chief of the Army General Staff.
September 2nd, 1945
