VJ Day, or Victory over Japan Day, marks the day Japan surrendered at the end of World War II. While VE Day marked the end of the war in Europe in May 1945, many thousands of Armed Forces personnel were still involved in bitter fighting in the Far East.
An estimated 71,000 soldiers from Britain and the Commonwealth died in the war against Japan, including more than 12,000 prisoners of war who died in Japanese captivity.
A nationwide moment of silence will take place at 11am on August 15.
The Red Arrows will also take to the skies in a UK-wide flypast.
The Duke of Cambridge will feature in ‘VJ Day 75: The Nation’s Tribute,’ a special programme filmed at Horse Guards Parade that will be broadcast on BBC One.
During his victory speech, King George VI said: "The war is over. You know, I think, that those four words have for the Queen and myself the same significance, simple yet immense, that they have for you.
"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 of today."
At midnight, the British Prime Minister Clement Atlee confirmed the news in a broadcast saying, “The last of our enemies is laid low.”
To crowds gathered outside the White House, President Truman said: “This is the day we have been waiting for since Pearl Harbor.”
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"Seeing them come down the gangway in the state they were in was terrible. I shall never forget that."
She added: “I’m very proud of what my husband did, but I’m also proud of all the people who never came back.”
Excerpts from British newspapers at the time document the reaction at home, when widespread celebrations took place.
The Birmingham Gazette described some of the scenes: “Youngsters were perched precariously in the branches of the trees in St Phillips Churchyard and occupied most of the window-ledges along the street, people of all ages - even elderly women were standing shoulder to shoulder on the flat roofs of the street air raid shelters; young men, girls and children even contrived to retain a vantage point on the top of the scanty bus shelters at the stopping places.”
The Road to Mandalay by Rudyard Kipling was a favourite marching tune for many in the 14th Army in Burma, commanded by Field Marshal Lord Slim during the campaign. It reads:
By the old Moulmein Pagoda, lookin' lazy at the sea,
There's a Burma girl a-settin', and I know she thinks o' me;
For the wind is in the palm-trees, and the temple-bells they say:
"Come you back, you British soldier; come you back to Mandalay! "
Come you back to Mandalay,
Where the old Flotilla lay:
Can't you 'ear their paddles chunkin' from Rangoon to Mandalay ?
On the road to Mandalay,
Where the flyin'-fishes play,
An' the dawn comes up like thunder outer China 'crost the Bay!
'Er petticoat was yaller an' 'er little cap was green,
An' 'er name was Supi-yaw-lat - jes' the same as Theebaw's Queen,
An' I seed her first a-smokin' of a whackin' white cheroot,
An' a-wastin' Christian kisses on an 'eathen idol's foot:
Bloomin' idol made o' mud
Wot they called the Great Gawd Budd
Plucky lot she cared for idols when I kissed 'er where she stud!
On the road to Mandalay...
When the mist was on the rice-fields an' the sun was droppin' slow,
She'd git 'er little banjo an' she'd sing "Kulla-lo-lo!
With 'er arm upon my shoulder an' 'er cheek agin my cheek
We useter watch the steamers an' the hathis pilin' teak.
Elephints a-pilin' teak
In the sludgy, squdgy creek,
Where the silence 'ung that 'eavy you was 'arf afraid to speak!
On the road to Mandalay...
But that's all shove be'ind me - long ago an' fur away
An' there ain't no 'busses runnin' from the Bank to Mandalay;
An' I'm learnin' 'ere in London what the ten-year soldier tells:
"If you've 'eard the East a-callin', you won't never 'eed naught else."
No! you won't 'eed nothin' else
But them spicy garlic smells,
An' the sunshine an' the palm-trees an' the tinkly temple-bells;
On the road to Mandalay...
I am sick o' wastin' leather on these gritty pavin'-stones,
An' the blasted English drizzle wakes the fever in my bones;
Tho' I walks with fifty 'ousemaids outer Chelsea to the Strand,
An' they talks a lot o' lovin', but wot do they understand?
Beefy face an' grubby 'and -
Law! wot do they understand?
I've a neater, sweeter maiden in a cleaner, greener land!
On the road to Mandalay...
Ship me somewheres east of Suez, where the best is like the worst,
Where there aren't no Ten Commandments an' a man can raise a thirst;
For the temple-bells are callin', an' it's there that I would be
By the old Moulmein Pagoda, looking lazy at the sea;
On the road to Mandalay,
Where the old Flotilla lay,
With our sick beneath the awnings when we went to Mandalay!
O the road to Mandalay,
Where the flyin'-fishes play,
An' the dawn comes up like thunder outer China 'crost the Bay !
FAQs
Join the Nation's Toast. On 8 May, as the nation marks 75 years since the end of the Second World War in Europe, we are all invited to raise a toast to all those men and women who played their part in the conflict.
What is the celebration of V-J Day? ›
V-J Day, or Victory over Japan Day, marks the end of World War II, one of the deadliest and most destructive wars in history. When President Harry S. Truman announced on Aug. 14, 1945, that Japan had surrendered unconditionally, war-weary citizens around the world erupted in celebration.
Does the UK celebrate V-J Day? ›
By comparison, Victory over Japan (V-J) Day went largely unnoticed. It is celebrated in the UK on 15 August and in the US on 2 September, and marks the official end of the Second World War.
When was VE Day and V-J Day? ›
15 August is the official V-J Day for the United Kingdom, while the official US commemoration is 2 September. The name, V-J Day, had been selected by the Allies after they named V-E Day for the victory in Europe. On 2 September 1945, formal surrender occurred aboard the battleship USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay.
How to commemorate VE Day? ›
VE Day was a national holiday
There were even commemorative items hastily produced in time for the celebrations, including 'VE Day' mugs. Some restaurants had special 'victory' menus, too. Various events were organised to mark the occasion, including parades, thanksgiving services and street parties.
What is the 75th anniversary of VE Day coin? ›
Issued to mark the 75th Anniversary of VE Day this world-first £5 coin commemorates the Allied Victory in Europe and pays tribute to the Second World War generation who served at home and overseas.
What is V-J Day now called? ›
Victory Day (United States)
Do any states still celebrate V-J Day? ›
Rhode Island is the only state in the union that celebrates Victory Day as a state holiday, observing the World War II victory over Japan. Formerly called Victory Over Japan or VJ Day, it is celebrated in August every year because Aug. 6, 1945, was the date of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan, followed on Aug.
What is the iconic V-J Day? ›
The photo was taken on Aug. 14, 1945, known as V-J Day, the day Japan surrendered to the United States, as people spilled into the New York City streets from restaurants, bars and movie theaters, celebrating the news. George Mendonsa spotted Greta Friedman, spun her around and planted a kiss. The two had never met.
Does Russia celebrate V-J Day? ›
Many Russians celebrate Victory Day on May 9. On this day, TV networks broadcast World War II-inspired films, younger generations honor veterans, and the festivities culminate in a military parade at Moscow's Red Square. Many people attend a local military parade and watch the fireworks at night on Victory Day.
Why didn't the Japanese surrender after the first atomic bombing in Hiroshima? Japan didn't surrender after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima because both the Supreme Council for the Direction of the War (I'll call it the Supreme War Council from here on out) and the Cabinet deadlocked on what to do next.
Where was the V-J Day kiss? ›
V-J Day Kiss in Times Square: Go Behind the Lens of That Famous Photo. Eisenstaedt's iconic photo: A jubilant American sailor clutched a dental assistant in a back-bending kiss at a moment of spontaneous joy about the long awaited WWII victory over Japan. Taken on V-J Day, 1945, as thousands jammed Times Square.
Why is V-J Day important? ›
The formal signing of the surrender terms by Japan did not occur until the 2nd September, aboard the United States' battleship Missouri – anchored in Tokyo Bay. The United States continues to commemorate VJ Day on that date. The news that Japan had surrendered, brought a feeling of relief, to Allied servicemen.
What is the difference between Victory Day and V-J Day? ›
World War II found the United States and our Allies fighting against Germany and Italy in Europe as 1 front, and Japan on another front. VE Day refers to victory in Europe, while VJ refers to victory against Japan.
What did VE stand for? ›
On Victory in Europe Day, or V-E Day, Germany unconditionally surrendered its military forces to the Allies, including the United States. On May 8, 1945 - known as Victory in Europe Day or V-E Day - celebrations erupted around the world to mark the end of World War II in Europe.
When was the 75th anniversary of D-Day? ›
EXHIBIT & EVENTS
The event on Thursday, June 6 2019 will include a flyover, wreath laying, living history re-enactors, WWII-era vehicles, collection displays and D-Day films.
What is planned for D-Day 80? ›
THE INTERNATIONAL CEREMONY
The official international ceremony will take place on Thursday 6 June 2024 on Omaha Beach at 3.30pm. 25 heads of state, veterans and officials will commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day (by invitation only).
How old was Princess Margaret in 1945? ›
The future Queen, then just 19, and her sister Princess Margaret, 14, joined thousands of revellers as they gathered in front of the royal residence on May 8 1945.
What year was the 70th anniversary of VE Day? ›
Friday 8 May 2015 is the anniversary of VE Day (Victory in Europe Day), marking 70 years since the end of the second world war in Europe.
