The year 1945 was a pivotal one in world history, marking the end of World War II and the beginning of the post-war era. The United States played a central role in these events, both militarily and politically.
Political Events
February 4-11: Yalta Conference: The "Big Three" Allied leaders – Franklin D. Roosevelt (United States), Winston Churchill (United Kingdom), and Joseph Stalin (Soviet Union) – met in Yalta to discuss the post-war reorganization of Europe. Discussions included the fate of Germany, the establishment of the United Nations, and Soviet entry into the war against Japan.
April 25-June 26: San Francisco Conference: Representatives from 50 nations gathered in San Francisco to draft the United Nations Charter, formally establishing the organization. The United States was a key proponent of the United Nations.
May 7/8: Germany's Surrender: Following Hitler's suicide, Germany unconditionally surrendered to the Allied forces, marking Victory in Europe Day (V-E Day). This ended the war in Europe after nearly six years of intense conflict.
July 17-August 2: Potsdam Conference: The Allied leaders – Harry S. Truman (United States), Winston Churchill (later replaced by Clement Attlee) (United Kingdom), and Joseph Stalin (Soviet Union) – met in Potsdam, Germany, to discuss the administration of defeated Germany and to further define the post-war world order.
July 26: Potsdam Declaration: The United States, the United Kingdom and China issued the Potsdam Declaration demanding the unconditional surrender of Japan.
August 6: Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima: The United States dropped an atomic bomb, "Little Boy," on Hiroshima, Japan, resulting in the immediate deaths of tens of thousands of people and horrific long-term effects.
August 8: Soviet Union Declares War on Japan: The Soviet Union, as agreed at Yalta, declared war on Japan.
August 9: Atomic Bombing of Nagasaki: The United States dropped a second atomic bomb, "Fat Man," on Nagasaki, Japan, causing further devastation.
August 14: Japan Accepts Unconditional Surrender: Following the atomic bombings and the Soviet declaration of war, Japan accepted the terms of the Potsdam Declaration, signaling the end of World War II.
September 2: Formal Surrender of Japan: The formal surrender ceremony took place aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, officially ending World War II.
November 20: Nuremberg Trials Begin: The Nuremberg Trials, in which Nazi leaders were prosecuted for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and crimes against peace, commenced. The United States was a major participant in the trials.
Scientific and Technological Events
July 16: Trinity Test: The United States successfully tested the first atomic bomb, code-named "Trinity," in the New Mexico desert. This was a crucial milestone in the Manhattan Project, the top-secret effort to develop nuclear weapons.
Cultural Events
The end of wartime rationing and price controls in the United States led to a consumer boom.
Post-war optimism and a growing interest in suburban living began to shape American culture.
Technological Events
The rapid advancement of technologies such as radar, penicillin production, and jet engines, heavily influenced by the demands of World War II.
Continued development in the field of rocketry, which would later influence space exploration.