Emperor Hirohito announced Japan's acceptance of the Potsdam Declaration on Aug. 15, 1945, Japan time. Before the emperor's radio address, the Japanese authorities sent a cable to President Harry S. Truman via the Swiss embassy in Washington, D.C.
The Japanese cable was received by President Truman on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 1945, during the day. He wasted no time making this historic announcement, "The proclamation of V-J Day must wait upon the formal signing of the surrender terms by Japan."
As soon as service men, women and civilians heard President Truman's announcement, spontaneous celebrations broke out in the streets across America and our allies. The celebrants could not jump, yell or kiss enough to express their joy.
Alfred Eisenstaedt, a Life magazine photographer, was taking candid photographs and noticed a sailor, "running along the street grabbing any and every girl in sight ... Then suddenly, in a flash, I saw something white being grabbed. I turned around and clicked the moment the sailor kissed the nurse." This picture captured the emotion of the moment, the war is over!
Edith Cullen Shain was identified in later years as the nurse. In 1945, displaying public affection was not acceptable. Public kissing became more acceptable with more of "the boys" saying good-bye to their wives or girlfriends.
In the battle for Okinawa, April 1 to June 29, 1945, the U.S. suffered 85,000 casualties. Twenty-five percent of the Japanese civilian population and 141,000 of their troops were killed. The Japanese military was training every man, woman and child to kill as many U.S. troops as possible when Japan was invaded. Military planners had estimated over a million U.S. casualties in conquering Japan. Can you imagine the emotional relief of each serviceman who knew he was going to be part of the invasion of Japan in September 1945?
Next Sunday, Aug. 14, 2010, is no ordinary day. It is the 65th anniversary to celebrate life. Hundreds of thousands of WWII veterans are fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers today because of the unconditional surrender of Japan. There are millions of Japanese men, women and children alive today. Celebrate life by thanking a WWII vet either in person or visiting the veterans' section of a cemetery placing a flower on a vet's grave.
If the allies had been defeated, this commentary would be written in German, and I would be sent off to a "camp" to be processed.
• Ken Beaton is a Carson City resident.