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Rhode Island has celebrated this day since 1948. VJ Day is a legal state holiday only in the state of Rhode Island. In the newspapers across world that day, there were hundreds of photos of soldiers and civilians rejoicing together. President Truman declared September 2 as the official VJ Day in 1945.
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The official end of the war did not occur until September 2, 1945, when General Douglas MacArthur accepted the Japanese surrender from General Yoshijiro Umezu aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. President Harry S Truman’s announcement of the surrender set off street celebrations from coast to coast in the United States. The atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima on August 6 and Nagasaki on August 9, and the Soviet Union’s invasion of Manchuria in the previous week made the surrender inevitable. Victory Day, or VJ Day, commemorates the anniversary of Japan’s surrender to the Allies in 1945, ending World War II. Some bus services may not operate to their usual schedules during state holidays so those planning to use public transit services may need to check with the appropriate transport authorities prior to travel. Most banks are closed (although not all) but federal offices are open as are many stores, including retail stores, liquor stores and supermarkets. State and municipal offices are closed in Rhode Island on Victory Day. Rhode Island celebrates Victory Day as a state holiday but many communities within the US hold special events to honor the day. Nonetheless there are people who hope to one day celebrate the holiday under a new name or educate young Americans more about the Japanese culture in modern society. There have been many attempts to change the holiday’s name but so far it remains to be known as Victory Day. However critics claim that the day itself is discriminatory due to its reference to Japan in light of modern times. Many people believe that there is a need for such a day to remember the sacrifices that veterans made during World War II, including those who were taken as prisoners of war, were tortured, injured or killed. Events may include a commemorative ceremony for veterans.
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Veteran groups and their supporters observe Victory Day on the second Monday of August each year. There have been many arguments and debates concerning the nature and name of this holiday. Victory Day marks the anniversary of the Allies’ victory in World War II. Some schools and businesses may also be closed on this day. Victory Day is a state holiday in Rhode Island in the United States on the second Monday of August each year. It followed the dropping of the devastating atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima on August 6 and Nagasaki on August 9, 1945. Victory Day, also known as VJ Day, marks the anniversary the Allies’ victory over Japan during World War II.
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