The Last Days of World War II — Season 1, Episode 26: August 12-August 18: V-J Day

Episode synopsis

In Tokyo, the Japanese government at last accepts the inevitable and surrenders to the Allies unconditionally. President Truman declares that "this is the day we've been waiting for since Pearl Harbor." Emperor Hirohito makes an emotional broadcast to the Japanese nation saying that they had to surrender to keep the country from being destroyed by "a new and most cruel bomb." The surrender is formally made to General MacArthur at a ceremony aboard the U.S. battleship Missouri in Tokyo Bay.

About The Last Days of World War II

The Last Days of WWII is a twenty-six part historical documentary covering the final six months of combat in weekly segments to discuss the decisions, battles, strategies, and ultimate legacies of the war.

More episodes from Season 1

• E1February 18-February 24: The Battle for Iwo Jima
• E2February 25-March 3: The Allies Advance
• E3March 4-March 10: Firestorm Over Tokyo
• E4March 11-March 17: Hitler's Last Offensive
• E5March 18-March 24: The Race for Berlin
• E6March 25-March 31: War in the Pacific
• E7April 1-April 7: The Invasion of Okinawa
• E8April 8-April 14: Nazi Death Camps
• E9April 15-April 21: Assault on Berlin
• E10April 22-April 28: Bloody Stalemate on Okinawa
• E11April 29-May 5: The Fall of Berlin
• E12May 6-May 12: Germany Surrenders