WWII EXPLAINED · QUICK ANSWER
When Did World War II End?
The short answer: World War II formally ended on September 2, 1945, with Japan’s signing of the surrender documents. The war in Europe had ended in May 1945.
What happened?
Germany’s surrender took effect on May 8, 1945, commonly known as VE Day. Because of the time difference, the date was already May 9 in Moscow. Japan announced acceptance of Allied surrender terms on August 15; the formal signing followed on September 2.
Why are there different end dates?
Different commemorations refer to different milestones. May 8 marks the end of the war in Europe, August 15 is associated with the announcement of Japan’s surrender, and September 2 marks Japan’s formal signing aboard USS Missouri.
Key dates
| May 8, 1945 | German surrender takes effect |
| August 15, 1945 | Japan announces acceptance of surrender terms |
| September 2, 1945 | Japanese surrender formally signed |
VE Day commemorates the end of the war in Europe, not the end of fighting everywhere.
Explore the timeline
Place these events in context using the interactive WWII CHRONOS archive.