I would like to welcome you to our series sharing Unique Holidays: September 2nd, 2022. Would you take a look at the holidays being celebrated today and let me know which Holiday you most want to celebrate and why.
Today is a day when heads may roll! Although, you’re level-headed and you’ve got a good head on your shoulders. Keep it there. National Beheading Day is today. Hold onto your hat and, make certain to keep your head screwed on tight.
Every once in a while, we happen upon a holiday that has no apparent reasoning and today is one of those days which we can’t imagine why someone would create this holiday which defies logic. But, National Beheading Day is very prolific on the net.
Throughout history, beheadings have occurred. The list is long, including commoners and Kings. The most notable king to be beheaded was Charles I of England in 1645.
While this is a big day, don’t go crazy and lose your head. In addition to protecting your neck, we suggest you spend this day reading about famous beheadings.
Can you tell us “Who said “Off with their heads!”? The Queen of Hearts in Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
History and Origin of National Beheading Day
We found no factual information about this holiday even though this holiday goes back many years.
We have absolutely no doubt that today IS NOT a National Day. If Congress or the President had declared this a National day, the American public would have their heads.
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, and the cessation of fighting against Japan. VJ 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 but 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. This 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 9, 1945 over the City of Nagasaki, Japan.
On August 14, 1945, Japanese Emperor Hirohito cabled the U.S. to surrender, and agreed to the terms of the Potsdam Declaration.
On August 15, 1945, news of the surrender was announced to the World. World War II was finally over. Hostilities ended.
On September 2, 1945, the Japanese formally surrendered aboard the U.S. battleship USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. President Truman declared this to be V-J Day.
The battleship USS Missouri was chosen for the formal surrender ceremony, as she was named after President Truman’s home State.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
