http://www.history.com/photos/end-of-world-war-ii View pictures from VE day and VJ day as Americans celebrate the end of World War II. en Copyright 2013, History.com Tue, 18 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT History.com 2013-06-18T04:00:00Z en Copyright 2013, History.com http://www.history.com/photos/end-of-world-war-ii/photo1 Crowds take to the streets on V-E Day, celebrating Germany's surrender in World War II, May 8, 1945. http://www.history.com/photos/end-of-world-war-ii/photo1 http://www.history.com/photos/end-of-world-war-ii/photo2 A crowd gathers in Times Square celebrating with a newspaper announcing the surrender of Germany. http://www.history.com/photos/end-of-world-war-ii/photo2 http://www.history.com/photos/end-of-world-war-ii/photo3 A sailor kisses a nurse passionately in Manhattan's Times Square as New York City celebrates the surrender of Japan on August 14, 1945. Kissing strangers was a common elated reaction to the news in Times Square. http://www.history.com/photos/end-of-world-war-ii/photo3 http://www.history.com/photos/end-of-world-war-ii/photo4 General of the Army, Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers, signs the Japanese surrender document aboard the battleship, U.S.S. Missouri in Tokyo Bay, Japan, on September 2, 1945. At left is Lietenant General A.E. Percival, British Army. http://www.history.com/photos/end-of-world-war-ii/photo4 http://www.history.com/photos/end-of-world-war-ii/photo5 The formal surrender of Japan at the end of World War II took place aboard the USS Missouri, which was anchored in Tokyo Bay. The ship now serves as a museum. http://www.history.com/photos/end-of-world-war-ii/photo5 http://www.history.com/photos/end-of-world-war-ii/photo6 Plaque aboar the USS Missouri. The text reads, "Over this spot on 2 September 1945 the instrument of formal surrender of Japan to the Allied Powers was signed thus bringing to a close the second world war. The ship at that time was at anchor in Tokyo Bay." http://www.history.com/photos/end-of-world-war-ii/photo6 http://www.history.com/photos/end-of-world-war-ii/photo7 Americans celebrate Japan's surrender. August 17, 1945. http://www.history.com/photos/end-of-world-war-ii/photo7 http://www.history.com/photos/end-of-world-war-ii/photo8 New York City June 17, 1945. Cheering and waving from the deck of the transport which brought them back to the United States today, men of the 86th Infantry Division of the third Army stand on deck of their ship while women on the dock wave to them, awaiting their arrival. http://www.history.com/photos/end-of-world-war-ii/photo8