Recently, the United Kingdom celebrated its 80th VJ Day. VJ is an acronym that stands for Victory over Japan. The name is given to the day in August 1945 when Japan surrendered, bringing the Second World War to an end. During World War II, Japan went to war with dozens of countries and allied with Italy and Nazi Germany. On August 14, US President Harry S Truman announced that Japan had decided to surrender. The next day, Japan’s Emperor Hirohito announced surrender. VJ Day is important because WW2 was the deadliest war, resulting in 70 million deaths, with 60 countries participating. Around 71,000 soldiers from Britain and Commonwealth countries died fighting, including more than 12,000 prisoners of war who died. The day is made for remembering those who fought, suffered, and never made it back home. While crowds filled streets with joy, many families were grieving. Over 400,000 Americans and millions of people worldwide had already been killed. The celebration was mixed with sorrow for those who didn’t make it.

During the 1930s, Japan was invading China and other sections of Asia, aiming to expand its empire. In December 1941, Japan attacked Hawaii’s Pearl Harbor, bringing the United States of America into the war. Japan had also attacked the British Empire, and Hong Kong, Malaya, Singapore, and Burma. The British Empire wasn’t just fighting the Nazis but also the Japanese. Soon, groups from Australia, Canada, India, and African colonies joined the war.

The war in Europe was horrible, filled many with fear. Soldiers had to withstand extreme heat, diseases, and dangerous terrain. Many people who served in the army were captured and became prisoners of war. Prisoners were given little amounts of food, had to work in harsh conditions, and suffered from injuries and deadly illnesses, too.