End of the Second World War with Victory in the Pacific
Today, we mark Victory in the Pacific (VP Day), a day when we pause to remember the victory of the Allies over Japan, which ended the Second World War.
The war in Europe had ended three months earlier, but Japan continued to fight until the United States dropped atomic bombs on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the Soviet Union joined the war against Japan.
On VP Day we commemorate all those who served in the Second World War, and in particular reflect on the experiences of those who fought in the Asian and Pacific theatres of the war.
Australians worked hard and pulled together to defend our country and to support our Allies.
While the war was finally over, it came at a high price for Australia. Nearly one million Australians served during the war and around 40,000 did not return home to their families. More than 17,000 Australians lost their lives as a result of fighting in the war against Japan; many more suffered injuries.
In the war’s aftermath, hundreds of thousands of Australians had to readjust back to their lives as civilians. On VP Day, we remember the courage and sacrifice of all those who served during the Second World War.
To find more about this great turning point in Australia’s history, visit our Anzac Portal.
(Image: Members of the crowd dancing in Bourke Street outside the General Post Office during the Victory in the Pacific celebrations in Melbourne city.)