President Truman addressed America: "This is the day we have
been waiting for since Pearl Harbor. This is the day when Fascism finally dies."
On this day that he spoke of, the day of September 2, 1945, Japanese officials
boarded the USS Missouri to surrender in World War II. According
to BBC, the fighting in Europe had ended in May 1945, but many Allied soldiers
were still fighting against Japan. The U.S. had dropped two atomic bombs on
Japan, forcing them to surrender on August 14, 1945. V-J Day—or the Victory
Over Japan Day—is celebrated on September 2, because this is when the final
surrender documents were signed. This day marks the official end of World War
II.
Join The
National WWII Museum—virtually—as they pay tribute to the historical day
that changed the world 75 years ago. The program will start at 11 a.m., and it
will include an oral history compilation of WWII and the events that led up to
the war. The National WWII Museum president and CEO, Stephen Watson, will give
a speech, followed by an invocation with Chaplin RL Johnson III, LT, CHC, US
Navy, Deputy Command Chaplin, and NAS JRB New Orleans. Then, enjoy a keynote
speech with Richard Frank. To conclude the program at 7 p.m., a screening of
the new Discovery Channel documentary Apocalypse '45, will be shown.
This documentary recounts the end of World War II, with never-seen-before
restored footage and the voices of 24 men who lived through these events. A
panel discussion will be held at the end of the screening, featuring Rob
Citino, filmmaker Erik Nelson, and best-selling author and Pacific War
historian Ian Toll. A special guest, Hershel "Woody" Williams, will join the
panel as well. Hershel Williams is one of the two last surviving WWII Medal of
Honor recipients; he received his medal for actions performed at Iwo Jima.
The cost to participate in the program is $12. The film will
become available this evening, September 1, at 11:01 p.m. You will have four
days and 23 hours to start watching the film after September 1. Once you begin
the video, you will have seven days to finish it. If you are a World War II
buff, you won't want to miss this event.
