VJ Day 81st Anniversary Marked Across the UK

The United Kingdom marked the 81st anniversary of VJ (Victory over Japan) Day on August 15, 2026, commemorating Japan's surrender on August 15, 1945, which ended WWII. Remembrance services were held nationwide, including at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire — where the Malayan Volunteers Group hosted its annual service in the Millennium Chapel with hymns, prayers, readings, and a wreath-laying at the Malayan Volunteers Memorial Garden — and at the War Memorial in Guildhall Square, Salisbury. North Northamptonshire Council held a two-minute silence on August 14 and flew the Armed Forces flag at five civic sites from August 14 through 17. The commemorations honored the 'Forgotten Army' that fought in the Far East campaign against Japan, as well as evacuees and home-front workers, with the National WWII Museum in New Orleans set to hold its own VJ Day reception on September 2, 2026, the anniversary of Japan's formal surrender ceremony aboard USS Missouri.