World War II ended officially on September 2, 1945, with the signing of the Japanese surrender documents aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. This date marks the formal end of the war globally. However, the war ended earlier in Europe on May 8, 1945, known as Victory in Europe (V-E) Day, when Germany surrendered unconditionally. Japan announced its surrender on August 15, 1945, which is commemorated as Victory over Japan (V-J) Day in many countries, but the formal surrender ceremony took place on September 2, 1945.