Japan publicly announced its surrender on 15 August 1945. This day has since been commemorated as Victory over Japan - or ‘VJ’ - Day.
On 2 September, a formal surrender ceremony took place on board the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, officially bringing the Second World War to an end.
Millions of people across the world celebrated Allied victory over Japan in August and September 1945. These 11 photographs offer a glimpse into how people in Britain - and servicemen stationed abroad - marked the war’s end.
1. News breaks
Japan had put forth an offer of surrender on 10 August, but it took several days for the exact terms of the surrender to be agreed. When news of this initial offer broke, London took to the streets to celebrate. In this photograph, American Sergeant Franklin G Talley, assisted by an airman of the Royal Air Force (RAF), holds up a copy of the Evening News while seated on traffic lights in London’s Oxford Circus on 10 August 1945.
2. Flying the 'Stars and Stripes'
American soldiers and British civilians parade the United States’ flag - the ‘Stars and Stripes’ - in London’s Piccadilly Circus after hearing news of the Japanese offer of surrender, 10 August 1945.
3. Dancing in Oxford Circus
Crowds dance in Oxford Circus, London, on 10 August 1945.
4. Cheers from the Cocos Islands
Ground crews of No. 356 Squadron RAF, based at Brown's West Island in the Cocos Islands, celebrate the news of Japan’s surrender, 14 August 1945.
5. Celebrating in Nairobi
Allied forces during the VJ Day parade in Nairobi, Kenya, on 15 August 1945. Over 5,000 servicemen and women took part in the parade, including troops of East Africa Command, nursing officers, and men of women of the RAF and Women’s Auxiliary Air Force.
6. Partying in Piccadilly Circus
Civilians and service personnel in London's Piccadilly Circus celebrate victory over Japan, August 1945.
7. Festivities on Regent Street
Civilians walk amongst piles of torn up paper that have been thrown from the windows of offices on Lower Regent Street in London to celebrate the victory over Japan, August 1945.
8. Lord Mountbatten salutes in Ceylon
Lord Louis Mountbatten, Supreme Allied Commander South East Asia, takes the salute during the VJ Day Parade on the Galle Face Green in Columbo, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), on 25 August 1945.
9. A parade at RAF Watnall
Airmen during the VJ Day parade at RAF Watnall in Nottinghamshire. A service, conducted by the chaplain pictured here on the far right, was also held.
10. The Royal Navy joins in the celebrations
In this photograph, taken from the Royal Navy warship HMS Empress, units of the British East Indies Fleet celebrate VJ Night in Trincomalee, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka).
11. The Four Nations Parade
British Sexton self-propelled guns drive down the Charlottenburger Chaussee in Berlin during the Four Nations VJ Day parade on 7 September 1945, five days after the formal surrender ceremony in Tokyo Bay.
