On this day in 1945, an official announcement of Japan’s unconditional surrender

On this day in 1945, an official announcement of Japan’s unconditional surrender to the Allies is made public to the Japanese people and U.S. President Harry Truman makes the official announcement to the American people.

In the afternoon of August 14, Japanese radio announced that an Imperial Proclamation was soon to be made, accepting the terms of unconditional surrender drawn up at the Potsdam Conference. That proclamation had already been recorded by the emperor. The news did not go over well, as more than 1,000 Japanese soldiers stormed the Imperial Palace in an attempt to find the proclamation and prevent its being transmitted to the Allies. Soldiers still loyal to Emperor Hirohito repulsed the attackers. In all, 12,885 men and women from Michigan lost their lives during the war and 13 Michigan men were awarded the Medal of Honor. You can learn more by visiting the Michigan Heroes Museum, located in Frankenmuth, MI. You can find us on the web at www.miheroes.org.  Honor.  Respect.  Remember.