World War II ended in two major phases: in Europe and the Pacific. In Europe, the war concluded with the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany on May 8, 1945, following the suicide of Adolf Hitler and the capture of Berlin by Soviet troops. This day is celebrated as Victory in Europe Day (V-E Day). In the Pacific, the war ended after the United States dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, leading to Japan's surrender on August 15, 1945, and the formal surrender on September 2, 1945, known as Victory over Japan Day (V-J Day). With both Germany and Japan formally surrendering, World War II officially ended on September 2, 1945.
End of War in Europe
- The war in Europe ended after a series of key events including the Battle of Stalingrad, the D-Day landings, the fall of Berlin, and German military defeats.
- Hitler committed suicide on April 30, 1945, and Germany's unconditional surrender was signed on May 8, 1945.
- The surrender ended hostilities in Europe and is commemorated as V-E Day.
End of War in the Pacific
- Allied forces used an island-hopping campaign to gain ground against Japan.
- The U.S. dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima (August 6) and Nagasaki (August 9), causing massive destruction and casualties.
- Japan surrendered on August 15, 1945, and the formal surrender ceremony was held on September 2, 1945.
Official End Date
- While fighting in Europe ended in May 1945, the official conclusion of World War II is recognized as September 2, 1945, when Japan formally surrendered, marking the end of all combat worldwide.
This two-step ending reflected the global scale and separate theaters of the war.
