What was v.j day

Japan treated prisoners of war very badly, including American and British soldiers who had surrendered. Following the end of the fighting in Europe, the Allies had told Japan to surrender on 26 July , but the deadline passed without them doing this.

So the US dropped two atomic bombs on Japan, which it hoped would put a stop to the conflict once and for all. The Japanese city of Hiroshima was bombed on 6 August and the city of Nagasaki was targeted three days later, on 9 August.

Around , people were killed in the blasts and Japan was forced to admit defeat. Japan's emperor Hirohito described the atomic bombs as, "a new and most cruel bomb". Millions of people from the allied countries took part in parades and street parties.

In London, soldiers climbed traffic lights and waved newspapers in the air, while office workers threw lots of paper out of windows, like confetti.

This is why some people also celebrated this day as VJ Day and it is still remembered as a significant moment in the aftermath of World War Two. People were very happy that the war had finally come to an end, but there was also a lot of sadness. Millions of people had been killed during the war, so many people were facing the hardship of losing loved ones.

Our hearts are full to overflowing, as are your own. Yet 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.

As historian Donald L. When Germany and Italy declared war on the United States days later, America found itself in a global war. On December 7, , Kermit Tyler was called about aircraft approaching Pearl Harbor and told the radar tech not to worry about it. His reply has been debated for the past 80 years. As the American military desperately tried to protect Pearl Harbor, US anti-aircraft shells fell everywhere—and the Japanese got the blame.

Weisgall, Naval Institute Press, V-J Day. Like this article? Read more in our online classroom. Pacific Theater of Operations. Victory had been declared over Japan and, as far as thousands of U. The problem was, it had taken four years to get the estimated 7. It took 20 hours to complete the surrender documents Following the suicide of Adolf Hitler on April 30 and the collapse of the Nazi Party, the end of the war in Europe was clearly in sight.

One of the most renowned kings in English history, Henry V led two successful invasions of France, cheering his outnumbered troops to victory at the Battle of Agincourt and eventually securing full control of the French throne.

His portrayal in three of Live TV. This Day In History. History Vault. The Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Celebrations After Allied Victory. Iowa Celebrates V-J Day.