The 80th Annual End of World War II
After six years of war and havoc across Earth, World War II finally ended on August 15th, 1945, and is now celebrated as a time to appreciate the sacrifices that people made for this cause. Victory Over Japan Day, also known as VJ Day, was announced by U.S. President Harry S. Truman on August 14th, 7 PM.
Japan had been extending its borders, allying itself with the Axis Powers, also known as Nazi Germany and Italy, in the hopes of gaining more power and land. However, the turning point for America was when Japanese soldiers attacked Hawaii on December 7th, 1941, the famous Pearl Harbor attack, killing many people.
The surprise attack caught the U.S. off guard, aiming to weaken the Pacific Fleet to prevent it from interfering with Japanese expansion. The attack damaged 21 US warships and 188 aircraft and caused the deaths of 2,403 Americans. The country attacked the US Navy base, and the United States joined the war.
Though Germany had already lost and surrendered in May, Japan continued to wage war until the U.S. brought out a deadly weapon: atomic bombs. After dropping a bomb on Hiroshima, a Japanese city, thousands of Japanese citizens were instantly killed, and soon after, Nagasaki followed. Less than a week after Nagasaki was bombed, Japan surrendered, ending the War.
“Their experience reminds us that war’s true cost extends beyond battlefields, touching every aspect of life – a tragedy all too vividly demonstrated by conflicts around the world today,” King Charles, during a celebration for veterans’ courage and sacrifices, said.
World War II was the most horrific battle, which killed millions of soldiers and citizens who never chose to join the war. VJ Day is a day to honor the people who fought for their country, even knowing that they could never return to their families. People appreciate the veterans who are still alive and hail the memory of the soldiers who never returned from the war.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y0lnzpqjgo, https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/articles/c20993zx4xvo
