On August 14, 1945, it was announced that Japan had surrendered unconditionally to the Allies, effectively ending World War II. Since then, both August 14 and August 15 have been known as “Victory over Japan Day,” or simply “V-J Day.” The term has also been used for September 2, 1945, when Japan’s formal surrender took place aboard the U.S.S. Missouri, anchored in Tokyo Bay. The Japanese formally surrendered to General Douglas McArthur aboard the Missouri. Coming several months after the surrender of Nazi Germany, Japan’s capitulation in the Pacific brought six years of hostilities to a final and highly anticipated close.
The photo depicts the Japanese representatives aboard the USS Missouri at the Surrender of Japan on September 2, 1945. The photo taken by the Army Signal Corps - Naval Historical Center Photo # USA C-2719.
