Hirohito's Surrender Broadcast

Date: August 15, 1945 • Location: Futtsu, Japan

Emperor Hirohito broadcasts his declaration of surrender following the effective surrender of Japan in World War II; Korea gains independence from the Empire of Japan.

Hirohito, also known by his posthumous name Emperor Shōwa, was Emperor of Japan from 25 December 1926 until his death in 1989. He is the longest-reigning non-legendary emperor in Japanese history and one of the longest-reigning monarchs in the world. The Shōwa era that corresponded to his reign was initially characterized by heightened Japanese nationalism and militarism, developments which culminated in Japan's entry into World War II as an Axis power. After Japan's defeat in the war and under pressure from the victorious Allied powers, he renounced his divinity as Emperor via the Humanity Declaration and sanctioned a new Constitution for Japan based on parliamentary government and pacifism.