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Major Events of September 1945: Key Historical Moments from the Month

Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from September 1945 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of September 1945: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Sep 1945 Japan Surrenders, Ending World War II: On September 1, 1945, Japan officially surrendered, marking the formal conclusion of World War II. This momentous event signaled the end of a global conflict that had lasted six years and resulted in unprecedented human casualties and destruction.
  • 02 Sep 1945 World War II Surrender Ceremony on USS Missouri: The historic Surrender Ceremony on the teak decks of USS Missouri formally ended World War II. Lasting 23 minutes, the ceremony began at 0902 with General Douglas MacArthur's speech calling for justice, tolerance, and rebuilding. Foreign Minister Mamoru Shigemitsu and General Yoshijirō Umezu signed for Japan, followed by representatives from the Allied nations, including the United States, China, United Kingdom, Soviet Union, Australia, Canada, France, Netherlands, and New Zealand.
  • 03 Sep 1945 General Tomoyuki Yamashita Surrenders: Japanese General Tomoyuki Yamashita, military governor of Japan in the Philippines, surrendered to Allied forces, symbolizing the complete defeat of Japanese military resistance in the region.
  • 04 Sep 1945 Division of Korea Begins: American troops occupy southern Korea, while the Soviet Union occupies the north, establishing the 38th parallel as the dividing line. This strategic post-World War II partition would ultimately lead to the creation of two separate nations: North and South Korea, setting the stage for decades of geopolitical tension.
  • 05 Sep 1945 Gouzenko Defection Marks Cold War Beginning: Soviet embassy clerk Igor Gouzenko defected to Canada, revealing extensive Soviet espionage networks in North America. This pivotal moment is widely considered the symbolic start of the Cold War, exposing Soviet intelligence operations and dramatically shifting geopolitical tensions.
  • 06 Sep 1945 Surrender Documents Delivered to Washington, DC: Colonel Bernard Thielen transported critical World War II surrender documents and a second imperial Japanese rescript from Japan to Washington, DC, marking a significant moment in the post-war diplomatic process. This delivery represented a formal conclusion to the military engagement between the United States and Japan following the end of World War II.
  • 07 Sep 1945 Japanese Surrender Instruments Presented to President Truman: In a formal ceremony in Washington, DC, the Japanese Surrender Instruments were officially presented to President Harry S. Truman, symbolizing the formal end of World War II.
  • 08 Sep 1945 Division of Korea Begins: The United States troops arrive in southern Korea to partition the peninsula, following Soviet troops' occupation of the northern region a month earlier. This marks the beginning of the geopolitical division that would lead to the creation of North and South Korea.
  • 09 Sep 1945 Japanese Surrender in Asia: Japanese forces in South Korea, Taiwan, China, and Indochina formally surrendered to the Allied forces, marking a significant moment in the conclusion of World War II.
  • 10 Sep 1945 Vidkun Quisling Sentenced to Death: Vidkun Quisling, the Norwegian politician who collaborated with Nazi Germany during World War II, is sentenced to death for treason against Norway. His name became synonymous with collaboration with enemy forces.
  • 11 Sep 1945 Hideki Tojo's Attempted Suicide: Japanese General Hideki Tojo, a key figure in Japan's military leadership during World War II, attempted suicide when American troops arrived at his residence to arrest him as a war criminal. This dramatic moment symbolized the collapse of Japan's wartime military leadership and the impending war crimes trials that would follow.
  • 12 Sep 1945 Japanese Army Surrenders in Singapore: On September 12, 1945, the Japanese Army formally surrendered to the British forces in Singapore, marking a significant moment in the conclusion of World War II in the Pacific theater. The surrender ceremony symbolized the end of Japanese military occupation in the region and represented a pivotal point in the restoration of British colonial control.
  • 13 Sep 1945 Victory over Japan Day (V-J Day): President Harry Truman officially declared Victory over Japan Day (V-J Day), commemorating the formal Japanese surrender to the Allies aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. This momentous event marked the end of World War II and signaled the conclusion of the most devastating global conflict in human history.
  • 14 Sep 1945 Post-World War II Period - Quiet Day: September 14, 1945, was a relatively uneventful day in the immediate aftermath of World War II. Just a month after Japan's formal surrender on September 2, the world was in a period of transition and recovery. While no specific major historical events were recorded for this particular date, it represents a time of global reconstruction, diplomatic realignment, and the beginning of the post-war era.
  • 15 Sep 1945 US Fifteenth Air Force Inactivated: The US Fifteenth Air Force, which played a crucial strategic role in bombing missions over Nazi-occupied Europe from Italy during World War II, was officially inactivated.
  • 16 Sep 1945 Japanese Surrender in Hong Kong: World War II concluded with the formal surrender of Japanese troops in Hong Kong, accepted by Royal Navy Admiral Sir Cecil Harcourt. This marked the end of the Japanese occupation and a significant moment in the post-war restoration of British colonial control.
  • 17 Sep 1945 Belsen Trial Begins: The Belsen Trial commenced in Lüneburg, Germany, with Josef Kramer and 44 SS personnel facing a British military court. The defendants were charged with conspiracy to commit murder in Nazi concentration camps, marking a critical moment in post-war judicial proceedings against Nazi war criminals.
  • 18 Sep 1945 MacArthur Relocates Headquarters to Tokyo: General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers, officially moves his general headquarters from Manila, Philippines, to Tokyo, Japan, signaling a significant transition in the post-World War II occupation and reconstruction of Japan.
  • 19 Sep 1945 Kim Il Sung Returns to Korea: Kim Il Sung arrived at the port of Wonsan, Korea, marking the beginning of his political organization and eventual leadership of North Korea. He started organizing the Communist Party of Korea, which would profoundly shape the nation's future.
  • 20 Sep 1945 Gandhi and Nehru Demand British Troop Withdrawal from India: Mohandas Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, two prominent leaders of the Indian independence movement, jointly demanded the complete withdrawal of British troops from India, intensifying the push for full independence and self-governance.
  • 21 Sep 1945 Brazil Ratifies UN Charter: On September 21, 1945, Brazil officially ratified the United Nations Charter, becoming one of the original 51 member states of the newly formed international organization. This action demonstrated Brazil's commitment to post-World War II international cooperation and multilateralism, marking an important moment in the country's diplomatic history.
  • 22 Sep 1945 Stan Musial's Extraordinary Baseball Performance: On September 22, 1945, baseball legend Stan Musial achieved an extraordinary and rare feat during a game, successfully hitting five different pitchers with five consecutive pitches. This remarkable display of batting skill demonstrated Musial's exceptional talent and precision at the plate, highlighting why he was considered one of the most talented players of his era.
  • 24 Sep 1945 Emperor Hirohito's Post-War Address of Surrender and Blame: In a historic radio broadcast following Japan's surrender in World War II, Emperor Hirohito delivered a significant speech distancing himself from the war's aggression. He explicitly stated that he did not desire war and placed primary responsibility for the Pearl Harbor attack on Prime Minister Hideki Tojo and military leadership. This address was pivotal in Japan's transition from imperial militarism to a more conciliatory international posture, marking a crucial moment in post-war reconciliation.
  • 26 Sep 1945 Japanese Surrender in Andaman Islands: The Japanese garrison surrendered the Andaman Islands to the Anglo-Indian sloop Narbada, marking the end of Japanese occupation in this strategic archipelago following World War II.
  • 27 Sep 1945 Emperor Hirohito Meets General MacArthur in Tokyo: In a historic post-World War II encounter, Emperor Hirohito of Japan met with General Douglas MacArthur in Tokyo. This pivotal meeting symbolized the beginning of Japan's reconstruction and the transition of power following the country's surrender, marking a significant moment in post-war diplomatic relations.
  • 28 Sep 1945 China and Turkey Ratify UN Charter: On September 28, 1945, China and Turkey officially ratified the United Nations Charter, marking an important moment in post-World War II international diplomacy. This ratification represented these nations' commitment to the newly formed global organization dedicated to maintaining international peace and security.
  • 29 Sep 1945 Chicago Cubs Win National League Pennant: The Chicago Cubs clinched the National League pennant, marking a significant moment in their baseball season and demonstrating their competitive performance in post-World War II baseball.
  • 30 Sep 1945 Bourne End Rail Crash: A tragic rail crash occurs in Hertfordshire, England, resulting in the death of 43 people, marking one of the significant transportation accidents of 1945.