From the Vault: Japan publicly surrenders, ending WWII
We interrupt this broadcast for a special bulletin …”
This was what a war-weary world had been waiting for ever since Japanese aircraft appeared over Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, launching the attack that brought the nation into World War II.
In the wake of the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in early August, Japan’s military leaders vowed to continue fighting on while the country’s six-member Supreme Council debated surrendering.
It was Prime Minister Kantaro Suzuki who finally took the surrender issue to Emperor Hirohito, who declared that “continuing the war means destruction for the nation and a prolongation of bloodshed and cruelty in the world. …. We must bear the unbearable. I swallow my tears and give my sanction to the proposal to accept the Allied proclamation.”
The Japanese emperor announced on radio on Aug. 14, 1945, that his country would accept the surrender terms.
Excerpt from Baltimore Sun article published on August 13, 2005 by Fred Rasmussen
- The Wednesday, August 15, 1945 edition of The Baltimore Sun: “The War is Over.” (Baltimore Sun archives)
- (Left to Right) Front Row: Cpl. Bernard Silverstein, 1st Lt. Norbourn Thomas, S.S. and Albert Karl Sapp. Rear Row: John P. Matusiewski, Phillip Walston. (Baltimore Sun archives)
- Crowd watching the Sun’s sign, celebrating the surrender. (Baltimore Sun archives)
- Marie Lewandowski. (Baltimore Sun archives)
- The White House in Little Italy. (Baltimore Sun archives)
- The crowd does the Conga on Charles Street. (Baltimore Sun archives)
- Celebrations in Baltimore. (Baltimore Sun archives)
- Decorations on East Randall Street. (Baltimore Sun archives)
- Sun Square looking South from Charles Street. (Baltimore Sun archives)
- August 16, 1946 – Louis Byron and Betty Lou Haynie celebrate on the 1800 block of Light street. (Baltimore Sun archives)
- August 15, 1945 – LOOK GUYS, IT’S OVER — Young sailors on leave, read announcement on Sun’s Translux sign and express their satisfaction. (LeRoy B. Merriken/Baltimore Sun)