Rare Colour Footage Of London On VJ Day

What was VJ Day?

VJ Day stands for Victory over Japan day and is the name given to 15 August 1945, the day Japan publicly announced its surrender. The formal surrender ceremony took place on 2 September, officially bringing the Second World War in the Pacific to an end.

VJ Day was marked with widespread celebration. This rare colour footage captures the sense of elation and relief as the longed for end to war finally arrived.

VJ Day Celebrations, Piccadilly Circus

Lieutenant Sidney Sasson of the US Army Signal Corps, Army Pictorial Service, shot this colour footage of Victory over Japan Day (VJ Day) celebrations around Piccadilly Circus in London, 15 August 1945.

Please note: This video contains no sound.

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