Oh, you’re back. I wasn’t expecting that, so welcome. I hope your week’s been treating you better than Trump, Putin, Netanyahu, or Luxon’s. Those four precious darlings just can’t catch a break. For this week’s lecture, I want to discuss a sequel of some sort that occurred last week, on 15th August, to be precise.
Sorry, if you were hoping for another fun-filled blog post, you are out of luck today. This one is all about history, baby! In May, I published the 80th VE Day Anniversary, which commemorated the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany, on the 8th May 1945. This event brought the Second World War to a close in Europe, but, as you know, not the war itself. This day became known as Victory in Europe Day or VE Day.
The focus of the war then turned towards Imperial Japan, even though fighting in Asia and the Pacific had been going on since the Japanese invasion of Manchuria in 1931.
On 6th August 1945, the United States dropped a 64 kg uranium-235 core bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. This was the first time an atomic weapon had been used against a population. Three days later, on 9th August, a second bomb, one with a 5 kg plutonium core, was dropped on another Japanese city, Nagasaki. My blog post about the 80th Anniversary of the Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki can be found here. Hopefully.
Imperial Japan surrendered on 15th August 1945, but because of the time zone difference, some countries reported it as the 14th August. However, the official surrender of the Imperial Japanese forces was held on 2nd September 1945, on board the battleship USS Missouri.
Since 8th May was known as VE Day, 15th August was named Victory over Japan Day or VJ Day. An interesting point is that while various nations commemorate VJ Day on 15th August, like us in New Zealand, the United States honours VJ Day on 2nd September, the day of the official surrender.
Since 8th May was known as VE Day, 15th August was named Victory over Japan Day or VJ Day. An interesting point is that while various nations commemorate VJ Day on 15th August, like us in New Zealand, the United States honours VJ Day on 2nd September, the day of the official surrender.
In Japan, 15th August is known as Memorial Day for the End of the War and/or The Day for Mourning of War Dead and Praying for Peace. Regardless of what day you mark VJ Day, it celebrates the end of the Second World War.
The VE Day celebrations were massive, and filled with happiness, relief and joy. The VJ Day celebrations were similar, but they also signalled the end of the worst conflict the world had ever seen. Over the years, it’s been estimated that 70–85 million people were killed, which worked out to be 3% of the planet’s population at the time.
The horrors and legacies of World War II are still within the living memories of people today. I can’t add anything more to the volumes of literary work that already exist on the subject, other than the dual nature of humans, bringing inhumanity unto ourselves, but also helping each other.
In New Zealand, the 80th anniversary of VJ Day was commemorated with dignity, sharing stories of courage, bravery, and sacrifice while also honouring those who lost their lives.
World War I was supposed to be the war to end all wars. Who would have thought that when the Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919, only 20 years later, an even deadlier war was coming?
I’m uncertain about the lessons that Homo sapiens have learned from World War II. Since its end, we have made strides toward peace and tolerance, yet we continue to struggle with civil wars, genocides, ethnic cleansing, Neo-Nazis, and invasions.
Still, there is hope that one day, as a species, we can finally get it right and educate people about war in history lessons, and not through current affairs.
Just like my 80th anniversary VE Day post, I found various online photographs of people celebrating VJ Day, on 15th August 1945, or as close to that date as I could find. Again, since I’m a New Zealander, I’ve started with the celebrations in New Zealand, then moved around the globe in alphabetical order. I’m very sorry if I have missed your country, so please forgive me.
Relax and enjoy witnessing people expressing joy and relief 80 years ago, when the Second World War finally ended.
New Zealand
A crowd of young people celebrating V-J Day at the crossing of Cuba and Manners streets, Wellington, New Zealand. Photographed by an Evening Post staff photographer on the 15th of August 1945.
Australia
Canada
August 1945. Credit: City of Toronto Archives
China
India
Kenya
Korea (Before dividing into North and South Korea)
The Philippines
United Kingdom
United States of America
Like I said in the 80th VE Day blog post, we owe them a debt we can never repay. Thanks once again for reading, following, and subscribing to Some Geek Told Me. Remember to walk your dog, read a banned book, Crimea is Ukraine, and I’ll see you next week for the 2025 San Diego Comic-Con catch-up. Sounds exciting. Maybe.
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