What is the significance of August 15, 1945 in U.S. history?

August 15, 1945, is significant in U.S. history because it marks the day Japan announced its unconditional surrender in World War II, following the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki earlier that month. This event effectively brought an end to the war, leading to a formal surrender ceremony on September 2, 1945. The conclusion of World War II had profound implications for the United States and the world, including the emergence of the U.S. as a global superpower, a shift in international relations, and the establishment of the United Nations. This day is celebrated as V-J Day (Victory over Japan Day) in recognition of the end of hostilities in the Pacific theater of World War II.