V-J Day is an important moment in our history and concludes the end of one of the greatest wars in history. World War II involved over 30 countries and was sparked after Nazi Germany invaded Poland. The war continued for six years and resulted in the death of millions.

Decades after the war, the United States still remembers V-J Day to bring attention to the ramifications of war and how remembering history is one of the best ways to prevent it from happening again.

What is V-J Day?

V-J Day, or Victory over Japan Day, is the day the formal surrender documents were signed to bring an end to WWII. These documents were signed on September 2nd, 1945, aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. This surrender came several months after the official surrender of Germany, which brought an end to a deadly war.

As news of the surrender spread, celebrations broke out all across America and the world. The United States and our allies were grateful to see the war come to an end, and many troops returned home for the first time in years.

Now, V-J Day is a time of the year when we remember the ramifications of war and the sacrifices countless troops made overseas. We honor those who served and protected our freedoms.

The V-J Day Timeline

The victory over Japan wasn’t won without a hard-fought fight. We’ll take you through the history that led up to the end of World War II to better understand the importance of V-J Day.

Hostilities in the Pacific

When Pearl Harbor was suddenly attacked by Japan on December 7, 1941, the United States officially declared war the next day. Once the United States entered, it shifted the conflict from a European war to a global one.

For the next three years, the war raged on, but the United States' entrance into the fight plus access to superior technology and expert strategy made the war significantly more one-sided against Nazi Germany and the Japanese. As a result, the Allied side lost fewer troops compared to the casualties felt in Japan.

As the war drew on into 1945, the Allies wanted to put an end to the Japanese resistance without resorting to land invasion. Instead, the Allies focused on bombing Japan from the air and sea, resulting in the bombing of over 60 Japanese cities and towns between May and July 1945.

The Potsdam Declaration

On July 26th, 1945, the leaders of the Allies issued the Potsdam Declaration, which called on Japanese officials to surrender. The declaration was specific in its details, claiming that a surrender would promise a peaceful government, while a denial would result in further war and destruction.

Unfortunately, the Japanese government would refuse this declaration. In the days following, the United States dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing over 100,000 people, with some estimates falling over 200,000.

The Surrender

Realizing that victory was impossible, Japan accepted the Potsdam Declaration, and the announcement was made on August 15th. Once Americans heard the news, celebrations were held across the country as there was finally an end to a long and deadly war.

On September 2nd, 1945, the official surrender took place aboard the USS Missouri. Now, the United States celebrates V-J Day on September 2nd, while other countries, including the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands, celebrate the day on August 15th.

Why MLC Remembers V-J Day

Military Luggage Company remembers V-J Day because it’s important to remember our history. The aim of V-J Day is to recall the consequences of war so they can be avoided in the future. We also remember this day in history to honor those who laid down their lives for the freedom of our country and other nations who were gravely affected by the war.