Eighty years ago, on September 2, 1945, the world rejoiced as Japan signed the formal surrender document aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, officially ending World War II. Known as VJ Day, this historic moment triggered celebrations worldwide, from the iconic image of a sailor kissing a nurse in Times Square to exuberant gatherings in cities like London and Paris. The surrender, following Japan’s August 15 announcement after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, closed a brutal chapter of global conflict. For millions, VJ Day symbolized not just victory, but the dawn of a new era of peace, hope, and rebuilding—a shared triumph that united nations in a rare moment of collective relief.

The end of WWII, marked by VJ Day, undeniably reshaped the modern world, bringing forth challenges like open-air drug markets, mass migration, and new forms of societal tension. The post-war period saw rapid social changes, with economic booms and cultural shifts giving rise to complex issues. Open-air drug markets emerged in some urban areas as societies grappled with addiction and changing social norms, reflecting the struggles of a world transitioning from war to peace. Mass migration, spurred by the war’s displacement and later by global economic and political shifts, transformed communities, fostering both opportunity and friction as people sought better lives across borders.

While VJ Day closed one era of conflict, it opened the door to new struggles, including what some might call the “tyranny” of modern societal issues like school shootings—a phenomenon that, while not prevalent in 1945, speaks to the evolving challenges of safety and mental health in today’s world. The post-war era brought technological and social advancements, but also new forms of unrest, from ideological battles to the complexities of maintaining peace in a rapidly changing global landscape. As we commemorate the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, we celebrate the courage and resilience that ended a world war, while acknowledging that the modern world it helped create continues to navigate its own battles, striving for the peace that 1945 promised.