On the 15th August 1945: Allied nations celebrated VJ Day

Japan surrendered to the Allies after almost six years of war.

There was joy and celebration around the world and 15 August was declared Victory in Japan day.

The end of war were marked by two-day holidays in the UK, the USA and Australia.

After days of rumour and speculation, US President Harry S Truman broke the good news at a press conference at the White House at 19 00 .

He said the Japanese Government had agreed to comply in full with the Potsdam declaration which demands the unconditional surrender of Japan.

Supreme Commander General Douglas MacArthur would  receive the official Japanese surrender.

Later, in an address to a crowd that had gathered outside the White House President Truman said: "This is the day we have been waiting for since Pearl Harbor. This is the day when Fascism finally dies, as we always knew it would."

But he warned that the task of creating a lasting peace still lay ahead.

At midnight, the British Prime Minister Clement Atlee confirmed the news in a broadcast saying, "The last of our enemies is laid low."

He expressed gratitude to Britain's allies, in the Dominions of Australia and New Zealand, India, Burma, all countries occupied by Japan and to the USSR. But special thanks went to the United States "without whose prodigious efforts the war in the East would still have many years to run".

The day coincides with the state opening of Parliament which took on an air of a victory parade.

Thousands braved the rain to watch King George VI and the queen driven down the Mall in an open carriage.