On August 10, 1945, just a day after the bombing of Nagasaki, Japan submits its acquiescence to the Potsdam Conference terms of unconditional surrender, as President Harry S. Truman orders a halt to atomic bombing.

The Potsdam Conference was attended by the leaders of three nations including the United States, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union. This conference was held in Potsdam, Germany so these leaders could negotiate significant terms after the end of World War II. It lasted from July 17 until August 2, 1945,

The Potsdam Conference was attended by the leaders of three nations including the United States, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union. This conference was held in Potsdam, Germany so these leaders could negotiate significant terms after the end of World War II. It lasted from July 17 until August 2, 1945,

Emperor Hirohito, having remained aloof from the daily decisions of prosecuting the war, rubber-stamping the decisions of his War Council, including the decision to bomb Pearl Harbor, finally felt compelled to do more.

Emperor Hirohito 1945

Emperor Hirohito 1945

At the behest of two Cabinet members, the emperor summoned and presided over a special meeting of the Council and implored them to consider accepting the terms of the Potsdam Conference, which meant unconditional surrender. “It seems obvious that the nation is no longer able to wage war, and its ability to defend its own shores is doubtful.” The Council had been split over the surrender terms; half the members wanted assurances that the emperor would maintain his hereditary and traditional role in a postwar Japan before surrender could be considered. But in light of the bombing of Hiroshima on August 6, Nagasaki on August 9, and the Soviet invasion of Manchuria, as well as the emperor’s own request that the Council “bear the unbearable,” it was agreed: Japan would surrender.

Tokyo released a message to its ambassadors in Switzerland and Sweden, which was then passed on to the Allies. The message formally accepted the Potsdam Declaration but included the proviso that “said Declaration does not comprise any demand which prejudices the prerogatives of His Majesty as sovereign ruler.” When the message reached Washington, President Truman, unwilling to inflict any more suffering on the Japanese people, especially on “all those kids,” ordered a halt to atomic bombing, He also wanted to know whether the stipulation regarding “His Majesty” was a deal breaker. Negotiations between Washington and Tokyo ensued. Meanwhile, savage fighting continued between Japan and the Soviet Union in Manchuria.

The signing of documents of surrender occurred on September 2, 1945.

Japanese surrender before Allied commanders aboard USS Missouri – September 2nd, 1945

Japanese surrender before Allied commanders aboard USS Missouri – September 2nd, 1945

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Born Today in History:

Herbert Hoover (August 10, 1874 – October 20, 1964) was the 31st president of the United States (1929–1933), whose term was notably marked by the stock market crash of 1929 and the beginnings of the Great Depression.

Died Today in History:

Issac Hayes (August 20, 1942 – August 10, 2008) was an American musician. His hit song “Soul Man” and the musical score for the 1971 film Shaft are legendary contributions to modern music.

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  1. […] my previous post, August 10th, I wrote about Japan accepting the Potsam Agreement for Unconditional Surrender.  That of course […]

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