What was VJ Day? The moment World War Two ended
What does VJ Day stand for?
VJ Day stands for Victory over Japan Day. It's the name given to the day in August 1945 when Japan surrendered, bringing the Second World War to a complete end.Earlier that year, on 8 May, Germany had surrendered - this was VE Day (Victory in Europe Day). But while the war was over in Europe, it had still been raging in Asia and the Pacific. Many soldiers, sailors and airmen from the Allies - which included the UK, USA and USSR - were still fighting against Japan.VJ Day came three months later, ending the war everywhere.An estimated 71,000 soldiers from Britain and Commonwealth countries died fighting Japan, including more than 12,000 prisoners of war who died in Japanese captivity.
Why was World War II still going on?
In the 1930s, Japan had been expanding its empire, invading China and other parts of Asia. By 1940 it had become allies with Nazi Germany and Italy, together known as the Axis Powers.Then, in December 1941, Japan attacked a US Navy base at Pearl Harbour, in Hawaii, bringing the United States into the war.
Around the same time, Japan attacked parts of the British Empire - including Hong Kong, Malaya, Singapore, and Burma.Suddenly, Britain and its Empire were fighting not just in Europe against Nazi Germany - but in Asia too.Troops from Australia, India, Canada and African colonies joined the fight in jungles, on islands, and across vast mountains.
Millions of troops from across the British Empire
The war in the East was brutal. Soldiers faced extreme heat, tropical diseases, and dangerous terrain.Many were captured and became prisoners of war (POWs). Life in prison camps was often terrible: prisoners were given little food, made to work in harsh conditions, and suffered illness and injury. Some never made it home.
Why did Japan surrender in WWII?
Even after Germany's defeat in May 1945, Japan kept fighting. The Allies prepared for a possible invasion of Japan itself - but this could have cost many lives.Then, in August 1945, the United States decided to use the most powerful weapon the world had ever seen: Atomic bombs. The first bomb was dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima, followed three days later by a second, on the city of Nagasaki.
The devastation was instant and enormous. Tens of thousands of people were killed immediately, and many more died later from injuries and radiation caused by the explosions.Six days after the bomb on Nagasaki, Japan surrendered. These are still the only atomic weapons ever used in war, and their devastating power has meant countries have avoided using them again.
Who announced VJ Day?
US President Harry S Truman broke the news of Japan's surrender at a press conference at the White House at 7pm on 14 August. Later at midnight the UK's recently elected Prime Minister Clement Attlee spoke to the British public in a radio broadcast. "Japan has today surrendered," he said. "The last of our enemy is laid low. Peace has once again come to the world."The following day, 15 August 1945, Japan's Emperor Hirohito was heard on the radio for the first time ever when he announced the surrender.
Following the news, people poured into the streets to celebrate.In London, crowds filled Piccadilly Circus and gathered outside Buckingham Palace. Millions of people from the allied countries took part in parades and street parties.People sang, danced, waved flags, and hugged friends and strangers.
Why is VJ Day important today?
World War Two was the deadliest conflict in history, involving over 60 countries and causing the deaths of around 70 million people.VJ Day was not just about celebration - it was also about remembering. Remembering those who fought, those who suffered, and those who never returned home. Reflecting on the impact of the Second World War, King George VI said in a broadcast: "There is not one of us who has experienced this terrible war who does not realise that we shall feel its inevitable consequences long after we have all forgotten our rejoicings today."It marked the start of a new chapter for the world.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
‘Extremely ugly' beach hut renovation sets dangerous precedent, residents claim
A beach hut owner in Hampshire has been accused of ruining the 'ambience' of the seafront with an 'extremely ugly' renovation. Neighbours said Sophie Jarman's decision to build a walled fence at the front of her shed set a dangerous precedent for the huts on Hordle Cliffs beach in Milford on Sea, Hampshire. Ms Jarman, who runs a cookery school and catering company, began the work in November last year after purchasing the red and yellow beach hut for over £30,000. She has since lodged a retrospective planning application, stating she was 'unaware' she needed permission for the decking and balustrades, which are in plain wood, unlike surrounding painted structures. Locals have called the changes a 'blot on the landscape' and urged the council to reject the retrospective application. Keith Charles said: 'If this application is approved it sets a precedent and all the other hut owners will be able to erect similarly ugly-looking sides to their decks, which will be awful.' He described the 'extremely ugly' unapproved extension as 'unfriendly and unwelcoming to people walking past, which is totally out of keeping with the ambience presented by all the other huts'. Ms Jarman applied to replace rotten decking boards and balustrades in March. She said: 'The work has been carried out already, as we misunderstood the requirement to submit an application. 'The decking has been replaced with similar materials, in line with neighbouring huts. The balustrade similarly has been extended to the length of the decking as in neighbouring huts. She added that the hut would soon be painted a 'more becoming shade'. For years, locals affectionately called the shed the 'Punch and Judy hut' because of its colourful exterior. 'The character of a bygone age' But Graham Baker and his wife wrote on the planning portal that the extension had turned the hut into a 'blot on the landscape'. They said: 'The massive enclosed decking area and new close boarding overshadows the neighbouring huts, who once enjoyed unbroken views along the shoreline. It is not in keeping with the surrounding huts, which have for many years essentially remained unchanged and preserved the character of a bygone age.' Hut owner Sarah Bunce added: 'If everyone put such panels up... the beach huts would lose their attractive appearance.' Richard Arthurs said the construction created a 'dark, imposing landscape', adding: 'Please do not allow this solid wall structure to remain, everyone hates it and is horrified!' The average cost of a Hordle Cliff beach hut ranges from £29,000 to £75,000. New Forest district council has yet to decide on the application.
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Train knocks over Grade II listed iron footbridge in Lydney
A Grade II listed footbridge has been damaged after being hit by an engineering train on a heritage 133-year-old Victorian lattice iron bridge at St Mary's Halt in Lydney, Gloucestershire, was restored only in 2019 – and is said to be the last surviving piece of infrastructure from the historic Severn and Wye Forest Railway, which runs steam trains and heritage diesel services on the line, said no one was harmed in the incident, which happened just before 11:00 BST on Thursday. It said its staff and volunteers were now working with the Office of Rail and Road and the Rail Accident Investigation Branch. The bridge, north of the A48 and to the west of Lydney Lake, was cordoned off to the public after being knocked and Wye Railway was originally constructed as a tramroad network in the Forest of Dean more than two centuries only remaining part of it in use, for heritage trips, spans 4.5 miles (7.2km) from Lydney Junction Station, which is near Lydney Harbour, to Forest Railway said it would be running a reduced service over the weekend.
The Guardian
2 hours ago
- The Guardian
Wolverhampton council rethinks plan to introduce premium on wider graves
A council has decided against introducing a premium on wider burial plots in Wolverhampton following condemnation that it was a 'fat tax'. Danescourt cemetery in Tettenhall had planned to charge an extra 20% to families whose loved ones need a 6ft-wide plot, as opposed to a standard 5ft grave. Wolverhampton council previously said the higher charge was in response to an increase in obesity levels in the Midlands city, where a third of people are obese, compared with the national average of just over a quarter. Councillors had approved the charges in May after consultation with local funeral parlours, but backed down on Thursday. Wolverhampton city council said: 'No formal decision was ever taken on plans to charge more for larger burial plots. This is a common practice taken by councils around the country, where higher charges cover the costs of providing a larger plot. 'However, while under consideration, we have decided not to proceed with the plans.' The council previously said it had contacted 25 funeral directors before introducing the measure, with only one of them posing an objection. Local authorities in Telford, Birmingham, Walsall, Coventry and Staffordshire have implemented charges for wider coffins. One of the first councils to introduce higher fees for larger graves was Houghton Regis town council, Bedfordshire, in 2009. A survey by the National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors of its members across the UK found a quarter of local authorities charged extra for wider burial plots. There was also concern in Wolverhampton for couples who wanted to be buried together, but where one was already buried in a standard plot while the other needed to be buried in a larger grave. Prior to Wolverhampton council backing down over the contentious proposals, funeral director Ross Hickton told the BBC the charge was a 'fat tax' and that it was 'not really acceptable or fair', adding: 'You know people have paid into the system their entire life, paid their council tax to Wolverhampton council, and for them to be told [the grave is] 20% more because of the size of their loved one, it's not really acceptable or fair.' Matthew Crawley, the chief executive at the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management, said the charge seemed reasonable. 'You have a finite amount of space to work with; therefore if you need to eat into a grave next door, say, then that needs to be accounted for,' he said. 'You also have to account for the idea that digging the grave itself will also need extra equipment to keep it safe.' Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion In January, the National Association of Funeral Directors said the width of the average coffin had increased in the past decade from between 18 and 20 inches to between 20 and 24 inches. Wolverhampton resident Rosemarie McLaren had said she felt the plan was 'discrimination, it's not acceptable'. She told the BBC: 'Someone like me who's a bit bigger, is going to be charged [more] because I'm fat.'
