The 75th Anniversary of VJ Day – Photos from The National Memorial Arboretum and around the World

The 75th Anniversary took place on 15th August 2020, when the nation commemorated this historic moment in time.



V-J DAY75 - 15 AUGUST 2020

On August 14, 1945, it was announced that Japan had surrendered unconditionally to the Allies, effectively ending World War II.

Since then, both August 14 and August 15 have been known as “Victory over Japan Day,” or simply “VJ Day.” Coming several months after the surrender of Nazi Germany, Japan’s capitulation in the Pacific brought six years of hostilities to a final and highly anticipated close.

In London, huge crowds gathered to cheer King George VI and his Queen on their way to Westminster for the opening of Parliament.  King George VI in his speech on V-J Day highlighted the part played by British Commonwealth and Empire peoples:

“The campaigns in the Far East will be famous in history for many reasons. There is one feature of them which is a special source of pride to me, and also to you, the citizens of our British Commonwealth and Empire to whom I speak.

In those campaigns there have fought, side by side with our allies, representatives of almost every unit in our great community - men from the Old Country, men from the Dominions, from India, and the Colonies.

They fought in brotherhood; through their courage and endurance they conquered. To all of them and to the women who shared with them the hardships and dangers of war I send my proud and grateful
thanks.”

Commemorating VJ Day 75
Do refer to the links below providing information and videos of the numerous activities that took place during the week leading up to VJ Day 75 on 15 August 2020.

Pte Joseph Hammond in Conversation:
https://vimeo.com/444935825

Wreath Laying in Rangoon:
https://vimeo.com/445495756

Wreath Laying in Accra:
https://vimeo.com/444903613

Wreath Laying in Kingston:
https://vimeo.com/444925376

RCEL Commemorative Video Montage:
https://vimeo.com/447087086

UK Government VJ Day 75 Website - Containing veteran stories and how to get involved:
https://ve-vjday75.gov.uk/

The National Army Museum
Programme to commemorate and remember VJ Day, 75 years on.  See full list of events here:

https://www.nam.ac.uk/series/vj-day-75

National Army Museum Crowdcast with Lord Richards
https://www.nam.ac.uk/whats-on/commonwealth-contribution-far-east

ABF The Soldiers Charity – Discover stories of service and sacrifice from across the Army family with our podcasts
https://soldierscharity.org/podcasts/

The Royal British Legion
https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/remembrance/remembrance-events/vj-day

BBC Programme Schedule
https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2020/vj-day

RCEL - Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League - Registered Charity No. 1174874 - Haig House, 199 Borough High Street, London SE1 1AA, United Kingdom - Telephone +44 (0)20 3207 2413

Legal Notice - Contact Us