World War II ended in 1945

World War 2 ended with the unconditional surrender of the Axis powers.

VE Day and street parties | V-J Day

Germany surrenders

On 8 May 1945, the Allies accepted Germany’s surrender, about a week after Adolf Hitler had committed suicide.

VE Day - Victory in Europe Day

VE Day – Victory in Europe celebrates the end of the Second World War on 8 May 1945.

8 May 1945 - Winston Churchill announced VE Day - Victory in Europe. This day marks the end of WW2 in Europe.

Street parties were held all over Britain to celebrate the end of the war

1945 Hailsham Road street party, Tooting, London

But ........

Even though the war was officialy at an end in the Far East the war raged on, claiming more lives.

Until ......

Japan surrenders

Japan, did not surrender at the same time as Germany. It was able to hold out for another few months. Atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6 and 9 respectively. After that the Imperial government sought the Emperor's personal authority to surrender which he granted. He made a personal radio address announcing the decision.

V-J Day - Victory in Japan Day.

15 August 1945 - Japan surrenders to the Allies V-J Day (Victory in Japan)

2 September 1945 - Having agreed in principle to unconditional surrender on 15 August 1945, Japan formally surrenders, ending World War II throughout the rest of the world.

The surrender was signed on 2 Sept. 1945 aboard the battleship U.S.S. Missouri in Tokyo Bay.

Have a look at our timeline to see what events led up to the end of the war