Welcome to our series sharing Unique Holidays: August 14th, 2022. I don’t know about you but this is going to be a busy week for me. Instead of celebrating these holidays I plan on sitting them out. Although, Charlie and David may decide to go ahead and celebrate. If they do would you like to join them?
National Creamsicle Day celebrates a tasty Summer treat.
The heat and humidity of August beckons you to discover, and to enjoy, a Summer treat. A Creamsicle is an excellent choice. This is one of several chilly Ice Cream and frozen snack days to enjoy on a hot, sticky August day. Make sure to eat your Creamsicle quickly before it melts.
The History and Origin of National Creamsicle Day:
14/15 V-J Day – which date do you celebrate as the end of WWII?
August 14 – Japan surrenders
August 15 – Surrender announced to the world
September 2 – Ceremony and formal signing of surrender
VJ Day marks the end of WWII, the cessation of fighting against Japan. This day is called “Victory In Japan Day or “Victory Over Japan Day”.
The confusion over three dates:
There is some confusion over what date is V-J Day. You can consider any (or all) three dates as V-J Day. Did you know President Harry S. Truman caused some of this confusion.
On August 14th, 1945, the Japanese government cabled to the U.S. their surrender. This is the date of most modern observances.
On August 15th, 1945, news of the surrender was announced to the world which sparked spontaneous celebrations over the final ending of World War II.
On September 2nd, 1945, a formal surrender ceremony was held in Tokyo Bay aboard the USS Missouri. At the time, President Truman declared September 2nd to be VJ Day.
Regardless of which day you view as VJ Day, World War II was finally over.
A Little VJ Day History
The war in the Pacific was hard fought and bloody. The tide had definitely turned, and the U.S. military was fighting Island by Island towards Japan. Resistance was fierce. Casualties on both sides were high.
The U.S. had developed the atomic bomb. The U.S. government was anxious to end the war, and stop the loss of American lives.
On August 6th, 1945, the United States military dropped an Atomic Bomb over the city of Hiroshima, Japan in an effort to force Japan into an immediate, unconditional surrender. Instead of immediately surrendering, the Japanese government debated what to do. So, the U.S. dropped a second Atomic Bomb on August 9th, 1945 over the City of Nagasaki, Japan.
On August 14th, 1945, Japanese Emperor Hirohito cabled the U.S. to surrender, and agreed to the terms of the Potsdam Declaration.
On August 15th, 1945, news of the surrender was announced to the world. World War II was finally over. Hostilities ended.
On September 2nd, 1945, the Japanese formally surrendered aboard the U.S. Battleship USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. President Truman declared this to be V-J Day.
Did you know the Battleship USS Missouri was chosen for the formal surrender ceremony, because the Battleship was named after President Truman’s home State.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
