Video: 'Indonesia Declares Independence, translated- 17th August, 1945'
(Friday, August 17, 1945, 10:00 a.m. Japan Standard Time; during World War II) — Indonesian nationalists declared their independence from the Netherlands today, marking the start of the diplomatic and armed resistance of the Indonesian National Revolution against the forces of the Netherlands and pro-Dutch civilians.
Video: 'The Secrets of Winston Churchill's Underground War Rooms'
(Thursday, August 16, 1945; during World War II) — The Cabinet War Rooms, which provided the secret underground headquarters for the core of the British government throughout World War II, were locked today following the surrender of Japanese forces and left undisturbed until Parliament ensured its preservation as a historic site in 1948.
Video: '[RARE] The Voice of Hirohito - 1945 Jewel Voice Broadcast'
(Wednesday, August 15, 1945, 12:00 p.m. Japan Standard Time; during World War II) — Japanese Emperor Hirohito’s recorded radio address that his country had accepted terms of surrender for ending World War II was broadcast today all over Japan. Continue reading Emperor Hirohito announces Japan has accepted terms of surrender 80 years ago this hour (Aug 15 1945)
Video: 'Us Celebrates Japanese Surrender (1945)'
(Tuesday, August 14, 1945, 7:00 p.m. EWT; during World War II) — “I have received this afternoon a message from the Japanese government of the unconditional surrender of Japan,” U.S. President Harry S. Truman announced from the White House tonight, sparking a national celebration from San Francisco to New York’s Times Square. Continue reading President Truman announces Japan’s surrender 80 years ago this hour (Aug 14 1945)
Video: 'The World at War: The Bomb: February-September 1945 (24 of 26)' (Aug. 15, 1945, at 48:53)
(Wednesday, August 15, 1945, 1:00-8:00 a.m. JST; during World War II) — A group of Japanese junior officers invaded the Tokyo Imperial Palace this morning and tried to seize the recording of the emperor’s surrender message, but could not find it.
Video: 'The World at War: The Bomb: February-September 1945 (24 of 26)' (Aug. 14, 1945, at 48:38)
(Tuesday, August 14, 1945; during World War II) — Japanese Emperor Hirohito met with his most senior Army and Navy officers again today and told them they must accept the Allied ultimatum to surrender. Continue reading Japanese emperor orders military to accept Allied ultimatum 80 years ago today (Aug 14 1945)
Video: 'The World at War: The Bomb: February-September 1945 (24 of 26)' (Aug. 13, 1945, at 47:51)
(Monday, August 13, 1945; during World War II) — At the suggestion of American psychological operations experts, American B-29s spent today dropping leaflets over Japan, describing the Japanese offer of surrender and the Allied response, raising concerns of of the possibility of a military coup.
Video: 'The World at War: The Bomb: February-September 1945 (24 of 26)' (Aug. 12, 1945, at 47:15)
(Sunday, August 12, 1945; during World War II) — The United States indicated today that it would accept the Japanese surrender, making clear in its statement that the emperor could remain in a purely ceremonial capacity only. Continue reading U.S. responds to Japanese surrender proposal 80 years ago today (Aug 12 1945)
Video: 'American Experience - Truman (1997) - Part 3' (Aug. 10, 1945, at 43:03/44:26)
(Friday, August 10, 1945; during World War II) — Having dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima (Aug. 6, 1945) and Nagasaki (Aug. 9, 1945) and with Japan conveying it’s willingness to surrender (provided the status of Emperor Hirohito remained unchanged), U.S. President Harry S. Truman took the authority to use the atomic bomb back from the military today and placed it once again in his own hands. Continue reading Truman halts use of atomic bomb after Japan conveys willingness to surrender 80 years ago today (Aug 10 1945)
Video: 'The World at War: The Bomb: February-September 1945 (24 of 26)' (Aug. 9, 1945, at 46:04)
(Friday, August 10, 1945, 2:00 a.m. JST; during World War II) — Presiding over a special meeting of the War Council, Japanese Emperor Hirohito decided this morning that “continuing the war can only mean destruction for the nation and prolongation of bloodshed and cruelty in the world. I cannot bear to see my innocent people suffer any longer,” and that Japan should surrender.
