1945: Allied nations celebrate VJ Day

BBC ^ | August 15, 2007 | Staff

[Turret Gunner A20]

VJ Day Japan has surrendered to the Allies after almost six years of war.p There is joy and celebration around the world and 15 August has been declared Victory in Japan day.

The end of war will be marked by two-day holidays in the UK, the USA and Australia.

After days of rumour and speculation, US President Harry S Truman broke the good news at a press conference at the White House at 1900 yesterday.

[mainepatsfan]

Fortunately the coup to prevent the surrender failed.

[cripplecreek]

You know what’s funny? A woman I know in Italy asked Americans if we celebrate today and only one or two had any idea what she was talking about.

[Domandred]

I’m sort of guilty. I knew VJ Day was coming up soon (thought about it watching a double feature of Tora Tora Tora and Midway last weekend) but couldn’t remember when it was exactly.

[Turret Gunner A20]

re: # 3

<p<Doesn’t surprise me one bit. There aren’t that many people who care.

[mainepatsfan]

I’m impressed she knew about it. It’s not nearly as important in Europe as V-E Day for obvious reasons.

[mainepatsfan]

My grandfather was in basic training at the time. He sure as hell remembers this date.

[cripplecreek]

She’s a good conservative Italian woman who loves America even though she’s never been here. I’ve been thinking of inviting her to join us here in FReeperland.

[ishabibble]

I am pretty sure that Rhode Island is the only state that still celebrates VJ Day. No parades or celebrations, it’s just about state workers having the day off. O...and the sales. Can’t forget that. I’d rather they didn’t disgrace the memory of this day than do what they have been doing of the last 25 yrs.

[xp38]

When I was young and reading about the Second World War VJ day didn't seem to be mentioned a lot. The formal surrender on the decks of the battleship Missouri in Tokyo Bay on September 2 1945 seem to come up a lot more as marking the end.

[Dubya]

A Commemoration of V-J Day, 14 August 1945

[SunkenCiv]

Ping!

[sionnsar]

She’s a good conservative Italian woman who loves America even though she’s never been here. I’ve been thinking of inviting her to join us here in FReeperland.

Why not? FReepers are everywhere -- until just a few years ago a few of us knew a native Iranian FReeper in Tehran. (He escaped, and when we talked on the phone later, his Tehrani accent was unmistakable.)

[sionnsar]

I'm not going to be picky -- this may have even been intended, but that wasn't the flag flown on V-J day itself. It's today's flag.

However, I am a little annoyed at USflag.org, and again, maybe I shouldn't be -- but the Pledge of Allegiance in German, Spanish, French, Hindi*, Portuguese and Dutch...? (Maybe they need it in Scots Gaelic too?)

*

[sionnsar]

Fortunately the coup to prevent the surrender failed.

Amen. I read on FR that they were only a few weeks away from having the next atomic bomb ready to go. I know nothing about what we had in production facilities, but it seems more advanced than Iran's many thousands of centrifuges. (Then again, I don't know what kind of bomb Iran is after -- fission or fusion?)

[Kate_Malloy]

My older sister took me on the train to NYC to visit my Aunt in Manhatten for my 9th birthday. Three days before my birthday, my Aunt took us to see "Anchor's Aweigh" at a Times Square theater and when we came out of the theater, the news was flashing across the Times Square marquee and we joined the one million others celebrating in the Square.
That was the afternoon of Aug. 15th, 1945, a day I shall never forget. We moved from Times Square to Chinatown where they had a huge dragon out winding through the streets to celebrate and we stayed up all night. Quite an experience for a 9 yr. old.

[Kate_Malloy]

Manhattan.....thought I had that corrected.

[Dubya]

Quite an experience for a 9 yr. old.

I bet it was. Thanks for sharing with me.

[Dubya]

I'm not going to be picky -- this may have even been intended, but that wasn't the flag flown on V-J day itself. It's today's flag.

Who said it was the flag of 1945?

And what diff does it make. This is 2007 and I use the flag of 2007.

[sionnsar]

Like I said...