Early Sunday morning of September 2, 1945, known as V.J. Day, the Japanese Emperor, Hirohito, boarded the U.S.S. Missouri and signed the unconditional surrender to the Allies, ending World War II.

This post was contributed by Ross Malone. A historian and a retired school teacher, Ross has authored many books about Missouri’s history, weird facts, and folk tales. He has also written children’s historical fiction. Visit his website, and buy his books in the Missouri Life store.