Pacific
SprueStack Zero Hour: WW2 day by day
15 August 1945
What happened on this day in the Second World War, from 1939 to 1945, with a source for every entry.
About this page
Each day we list events from the Second World War that happened on that date, from 1939 to 1945. Every entry names its source and links to it, so you can read further. Entries are sourced and machine-screened before they go up, a subset is human-reviewed, and we add more over time.
7 of 13 sourced entries for this date, chosen by the editor.
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Entries
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Emperor Hirohito broadcasts his declaration of surrender following the effective surrender of Japan in World War II; Korea gains independence from the Empire of Japan.
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Ten days after World War II ends with Japan announcing its surrender, armed supporters of the Chinese Communist Party kill U.S. intelligence officer John Birch, regarded by some of the American right as the first victim of the Cold War.
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UK Parliament
Japan (Surrender) (House of Commons)
Official record of proceedings in the House of Commons, sitting of 1945-08-15: "Japan (Surrender)." Source: Hansard (Open Parliament Licence v3.0)
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UK Parliament
The Japanese Surrender: Address to the King (House of Lords)
Official record of proceedings in the House of Lords, sitting of 1945-08-15: "The Japanese Surrender: Address to the King."
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UK Parliament
Victory in Far East (House of Commons)
Official record of proceedings in the House of Commons, sitting of 1945-08-15: "Victory in Far East." Source: Hansard (Open Parliament Licence v3.0)
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Surrender of Japan
Public reaction to the Emperor's speech varied, many Japanese simply listened to it, then went on with their lives as best they could, while some military officers chose suicide over surrender.
The full list for this date is being cleaned and will return soon.
Sources listed with each entry. Spotted an error? Tell us.
15 August in other years 19401941194219431944
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