On this day in 1945 Japan surrendered to Allied forces, bringing World War II to a close. VJ day was then celebrated with a two day holiday starting on August 15th. According to the BBC from Augst 15, 1945:
  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.  He said the Japanese Government had agreed to comply in full with the Potsdam declaration which demands the unconditional surrender of Japan.  Supreme Commander General Douglas MacArthur will receive the official Japanese surrender, arrangements for which are now under way.  Later, in an address to a crowd that had gathered outside the White House President Truman said: “This is the day we have been waiting for since Pearl Harbor. This is the day when Fascism finally dies, as we always knew it would.”  But he warned that the task of creating a lasting peace still lay ahead.