World War II lasted for six years, beginning on September 1, 1939, with Germany's invasion of Poland, and ending on September 2, 1945, with Japan's formal surrender in the Pacific theater
- In Europe, the war effectively ended earlier, with Germany's unconditional surrender on May 7, 1945, which took effect on May 8, known as V-E Day (Victory in Europe Day)
- The final conclusion of the war came with Japan's surrender on September 2, 1945, marking the official end of World War II globally
Thus, the total duration of World War II was six years and one day.
